Antrim Chase kick off the New Year in style at Bellaghy
A great turnout enjoyed a wonderful day out, while raising funds for Marie Curie
By P Weir (Chair) - Antrim Chase is a charity organisation, which was started by Brian Dawson in 2010, with George Graham taking the chair at a later date. Like traditional hunts, the rides commence in late October and continue through until March.
The difference between the Antrim Chase and other hunt rides is that they do not hunt animals, or go out with hounds. Their jumps are mostly man-made, although some are natural hedges. This provides a perfect day out for young riders, young horses and the older rider, who perhaps has lost their hunting nerve a little or who desires to preserve life and limb yet still enjoy a great day out on horseback.
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The rides vary in length and difficulty and are usually held locally. Each ride location is courteously granted to Antrim Chase by local land owners, who give the organisation permission to ride on their land.
This is a great privilege and the ride leader ensures that all riders are respectful and ride as closely to the hedge row as possible. Gates are closed afterwards and those jumps, which have been set up are removed. Some of the areas Antrim Chase have ridden in are Kilwaughter, Lisnamurrican and Clonkeen and their most looked forward to ride is the one held in Bellaghy on New Year’s Day.
The New Year’s Day ride this year welcomed riders from as far away as Monaghan. Age does not matter, with the oldest rider being 78 and the youngest just eight years old, riding out with her daddy.
The ride started a mile and a half outside the beautiful town of Bellaghy, at a local farmer’s yard. This year, the weather was kind and there were 58 riders, all dressed to perfection in full hunt attire, proudly riding through Bellaghy towards the first field of jumps.
The first field is always precarious, as the horses are so excited to get to show off their speed and agility, as they soar over a selection of jumps, carefully erected by the Antrim Chase team.
Once safely over those, the ride loops off-road, carefully choreographed by local family, the Grahams, and brings the riders round to face their next field of jumps, one of which is the ‘Big Bellaghy Hedge’. This is a renowned jump, appearing normal as the horses approach, however, once in the air, the horse and rider are met with a huge drop on the other side. Many good riders have taken a spill at that one.
With great relief, the ride continues, returning through the original start field, which gives riders another chance to get the perfect photo, thanks to Lyndon McKee photography, who usually accompanies all Antrim Chase rides.
The ride continues into another field, with numerous man-made and natural hedge jumps. Here, the horse and rider can really practice their skills. With an hour or so already gone, the horses head up towards Bellaghy Chapel, veering off down yet another field of jumps, which slowly weaves the ride towards the stunning Ballyscullion estate.
What can be said about this part of the ride, except that it is stunning! The horses and riders have the opportunity to have a stretch out and gallop round, with the stunning Bann river in the background, snaking round to expose the most beautiful Ballyscullion Manor. Then comes a welcome break, with hot port and some Christmas shortbread provided for the brave riders by Antrim Chase’s trusty catering team.
Once refreshed, the ride heads for home, weaving its way around the beautiful townland of Bellaghy.
Once back safely, horses untacked, washed down and rugged up, the riders are met with a full spread of soup, sandwiches, cakes and hot port to warm them up.
The cap of each ride is given to a charity and, this year, the New Year’s Day ride, which raised a fantastic sum of £1,620, chose Marie Curie to be the beneficiary.
Sadly, cancer effects so many people in Northern Ireland, and Marie Curie nurses are invaluable, not only for those affected by this disease, but also provides so much support for the family.
These rides run weekly and all dates and venues can be found on Antrim Chase Facebook page. The group adheres to the BHS Code of Conduct, which they expect all riders to read and adhere to at all times.
It is also recommended that you contact a member or Antrim Chase before attending any events.
