THE BISHOPSCOURT CUP. KILDARE FARMERS SEEK ALTERATIONS

Leinster Leader 20 October 1951

THE BISHOPSCOURT CUP
Kildare Farmers Seek Alterations

A large and representative meeting of farmers was held in Naas on Thursday night to discuss the conditions of the Bishopscourt Cup and other races at Punchestown.
Mr. Peter Coonan, who presided said that the feeling of most sporting farmers was that they should get some concession for allowing the Kildare Hounds to ride over their lands. He accordingly proposed that the conditions of the Bishopscourt Cup, viz., that the allowance of seven pounds be made to all farmers who breed and keep their horses from the date of foaling.
Other speakers agreed with the Chairman and the resolution was passed unanimously.
Another resolution passed was that all horses that run in the Bishopscourt Cup be bred in Kildare Hunting District.
The opinion of the meeting was that the sporting farmers of the county, who bred their own horses should not be asked to compete with outside horses purchased, perhaps, at a big price for the purpose of winning the race.
Mr. Joseph Valentine, Hon. Secretary of the meeting, said that once this condition was imposed farmers would begin breeding hunters again.
A third resolution was that this particular race be made a certified race, as winners are no longer entitled to run in Point-to-Points here or in England.
Mr. Michl. Keogh, Newlands, said that if a horse won this race it depreciated in value instead of increasing, as the horse became ineligible for other races, and would not be sought after. As a matter of fact the second horse would be more valuable from the point of view of a sale.
The resolution was passed.
Mr. P. Frayne referred to the age old custom of farmers crossing the Punchestown Course with their wives and family, a custom which had been stopped. He thought that at least the farmers over whose lands the hounds hunted should get this small privilege.
The Chairman expressed his gratitude to Mr. Frayne for raising this matter at the Kildare County Council and other meetings.
Eventually, after a discussion, it was decided to ask the Kildare Hunt Committee to allow the farmers concerned to park their cars or other vehicles at a point near the stands, described as Byrne’s Paddock.
The Chairman, the Secretary, Mr. (Frayne), and Mr. J. Stafford were appointed on a deputation to interview the Kildare Hunt Committee on the matters raised.

An article from the Leinster Leader of 20 October 1951 on a meeting to discuss the conditions of the Bishopscourt Cup and other races at Punchestown