Killinick Harriers

The Killinick Harriers Point-to-Point Races in County Wexford, Ireland are probably the last point-to-point bank races still run in Ireland. Traditionally, point-to-points featured members’ and farmers’ races that were run over natural fences such as the double bank fence in the photograph. Now most Irish point-to-points are run over standard chase fences. Martha C. Wadsworth, Ann Morss, and Sarah Batzing-Cole, all from the Genessee Valley Hunt (NY), had traveled to Ireland for the wedding of Island Foxhounds huntsman Mark Ollard to Clare Lambert. While there, the American trio took in the Killinick Harriers Point-to-Point races and also rode with the Premier Harrier Hounds in the Saint Patrrick’s Day Parade in Cashel, County Tipperary. Prior to the wedding, Martha hunted with the Killinick Harriers, the Premier Harriers, the Island Foxhounds, and the County Clare Hounds. In the photo are (l-r) Ann Morss, Jack Lambert, Emer Mullins, Martha C. Wadsworth, and Sarah Batzing-Cole. Ann Morss and Martha Wadsworth are whippers-in at the Genessee Valley Hunt; Jack Lambert, 79, father of the bride, is a well-known Irish Draught Horse stallion master and breeder; he hunts his five stallions with the Killinick Harriers. Emer Mullins is the author’s wife. Sarah Batzing-Cole is a dairy farmer in the Genessee Valley. Posted April 27, 2011  

The hunting and eventing world were well represented at the wedding of Mark Ollard, huntsman of The Island Foxhounds and event rider Clare Lambert at Ballymore Church, Killinick, County Wexford, Ireland. The ceremony was performed by Father Murty Byrne and the bridesmaids were event rider Monica Whelan and Correna Bowe. Best men were Irish international event rider Michael Ryan and Ted Hudson. At the conclusion of the ceremony, Roddy Bailey, former Master and huntsman of the Morpeth Foxhounds, read Will Ogilvie’s poem, “The Happiest Man in England” re-worked as “The Happiest Pair in Ireland.” Mark’s mother Claire and his late father Martin were Joint-Masters of the South Wold Foxhounds in Lincolnshire. Clare’s father Jack is a well known breeder of Irish Draught.  and Irish Sport horses, and her family has been long time followers of the Killinick Harriers. It was Clare who produced the Irish bred eventer All The Aces, one of New Jersey-based Buck Davidson’s hopefuls for the next Olympics. A guard of honour was provided by (l-r) Chris Ryan, Master and huntsman of the Scarteen Hounds; Oliver Ryan-Purcell, Master and huntsman of the North Tipperary Foxhounds; and Charlie Gundry, huntsman of the Kilkenny Foxhounds, who blew “Gone Away” as the happy couple left the church. Mark and Clare will have a short honeymoon before Mark makes preparations to take on the North Tipperary Foxhounds as Master and huntsman next season. Posted March 24, 2011