THE 2024 Ward Union Antler Challenge was held last Sunday at Primrose Farm, Greenogue, home of Joey and Emma Moore, where an exciting competition was further enhanced by the commentary of Scarteen’s Chris Ryan and the locally-based James Griffin.

Along with Paul Carberry, Joey Moore designed and built two tracks – for Seniors and Juniors (13 to 16) – comprising hedges, ditches, drains, banks, rivers, a wall, a gate, stud rails and steeplechase fences. There were 32 obstacles on the Senior course which was over approximately three miles.

With 35 participants in the Senior race, a good start proved all-important and first of the 20 finishers was Johnny Drake who was up there from flagfall on his Irish Sport Horse gelding Portphilip Quality. In addition to the winner’s prize of €3,000, Drake was also the first Ward Union Hunt member home and the first to finish on a half-bred horse.

The Ballymacads’ Tatianna Ormiston, who was so unlucky here last year, was the first lady home when second on the 13-year-old grey gelding Cherrymount Bruno, while Shane Crabbe, who is a member of both the Ward Union and the South Tyrones, finished third on Cruiser. Ward Union member Eamon Waters was the first rider over 50 to finish on Tully.

Drake, who rode in the colours of the late Tom Everard, was delighted with his success: “It was a huge course and Joey and Emma put on a great event. I jumped off in the first group of runners and, after cutting an early corner after the Fruit Basket, was up with the pace. I went into the lead at the Blind Ditch and just had to keep going from there.”

The winning rider, who hunts on Fridays with the Wards, may travel over to England with half a dozen like-minded individuals for The Silver Spur in late April but also has another target in mind for himself and Portphilip Quality who only hunted once this season. “I’m aiming for us both to make our international eventing debuts at Millstreet.”

Susan Oakes and Mr Muddy, winners of the Antler Challenge's gate competition \ Sagittarian Photography

Portphilip Quality, a 12-year-old gelding by OBOS Quality 004, is registered with Eventing Ireland as being owned by Drake’s wife Sarah Kelly who was on duty on Sunday as a mounted steward. The couple’s three children – Kingsley, Riley and Rowynn – were thrilled with their father’s win.

Among those who lined-up for the Senior race were flat apprentice Adam Caffrey, amateur jockey Jack Sutton, former jockey Shane Shortall, Douglas Taylor and many members of the Reynolds family who are staunch Ward Union supporters. Winner of the day’s gate jumping competition, Susan Oakes rode side saddle in this Senior race and was going well until falling at fence 20.

In addition to those packs mentioned earlier, the following hunt clubs were represented on the day – South Westmeath, Louth, North Kilkenny, Fingal Harriers, Galway Blazers, Meath, Holestone Farmers Bloodhounds, North Kerry Harriers, Tara Harriers and Duhallow. There are many photographs from the Antler Challenge on social media where videos of both races will also be posted.