Fun at the fundraiser with Antrim Chase
Marie Curie benefits from the New Year's Day chase at Bellaghy
The Christmas dinner had only just been finished when George Graham and his team of fence builders went out, in all sorts of weather, working off the calories, building and preparing jumps, hedges and the route for the Antrim Chase New Year’s Day meet at Bellaghy.
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The Graham family has been running this fundraiser for many years, with the horses and riders, who come from all over the country, meeting at Jack and Hugh Graham’s Farm, just on the edge of Bellaghy.
New Year’s Day started off with big blue skies and no sign of any rain; there was the prospect of a nice dry day ahead.
The cap was paid and the usual banter had with friends from all over Northern Ireland and further away, including several who come up from Co. Monaghan each year to take part.
The 60 riders, gathered up with the many well turned out horses and ponies, were quite a sight to see, all trotting down the hill towards the village and the first field.
Some of the horses were a bit excited, but soon settled down into the task at hand. They had a nice hack along the road towards more fields for a gallop and some jumps, including the now famous Bellaghy Hedges… especially the big one, which has a big drop on the other side!
Many brave riders, young and more senior, took this on board and there was plenty of support from spectators on the ground, who enjoyed the thrills and spills. As the ground was soft, no injuries occurred to horses or riders.
After some more hacking, the group arrived at Ballyscullion Park, the home of Richard and Rosalind Mulholland and family, a beautiful historic estate set on the shores of Lough Beg, with the house on the hill overlooking the amazing view. The house is now used as a wedding and function venue.
Everyone enjoyed the scenery and the last gallop of the day by the edge of the Lough. Horses and riders enjoyed a short stop at the yard for a break on the return home, getting a chance to see the Whooper swans on Lough Beg, before the hack back to the farm of Jack and Hugh Graham.
All returned safely to the farm yard and, after horses and ponies had been loaded back onto lorries and trailers, everyone enjoyed a cup of tea and a picnic, while still dry after the pleasant day.
Just as everyone was leaving, the heavens opened and it was back to torrential rain for the drive home.
This was a great day out, which has raised £1,100 for Marie Curie to help continue their work in the fight against cancer.
The day could not run without the help and support of so many people. Antrim Chase thank the Graham family, all the landowners who provide access to the land, the many photographers who record the day, persons who steward and direct traffic and ensure the safety of others.
Thank you to all who provided food and refreshments. A special thank you to those who built fences and took them back down again afterwards.
To the riders, friends and supporters, it was lovely to see so many people out on foot, supporting and encouraging all the riders. Lots of fun and friendships were renewed at this annual event – a great day out and £1,100 raised for a worthy charity. Thank you to all.
