AT times on Wednesday, the Scarteen hounds could be heard from the kennels, the 11 and a half couple who paraded at Tattersalls international horse trials last Sunday having returned home safe and sound.

On duty earlier as commentator during the cross-country phase of the George Mernagh memorial CIC*** class, Chris Ryan stayed on his feet to ‘introduce’ his beloved Black & Tan hounds to spectators at the Co Meath competition.

Fellow joint-Master Kate Jarvey was mounted along with Mark Ollard, who is in his second season as huntsman, and Joe Taylor who has been whip for over 10 years. Kate provided two horses with Ward Union whip Kieran Ryan kindly supplying a third.

The hounds were very well received by a huge crowd who ventured into the arena to see them at close quarters with the hunt horses being kept to one side. Once back mounted, the Scarteens gave a rousing ‘gone away’ with a good gallop around the arena.

On Saturday, the local Goldburn Beagles left the Irish Independent arena at a more sedate pace. At this stage huntsman Michael Lynch had only 12 couple, the ‘half’ having decided that the open fields were a more natural environment for a hound.