The Complete Utilities Golden Buttons Challenge brought together people from all forms of equestrian disciplines and Irish point-to-points were well represented.
Set in the Gloucestershire countryside, the event sees over 60 competitors tackle a three mile course over 22 natural obstacles in a throwback to the roots of national hunt racing.
With prizes in a number of different categories including, first overseas competitor, non-thoroughbred, heavyweight, young rider and veteran, amonstg others, hopes were high for the visiting Irish contingent which was spear headed by former leading jockey Paul Carberry.
The multiple Cheltenham Festival winning rider was aboard a recent point-to-point winner to tackle the course, in the form of Lighting Tunes, a winner of his point-to-point maiden at Tinahely last month.
The Peter Maher-trained eight-year-old was going well having negotiated some of the bigger obstacles at fences three and nine, but his challenge soon came unstuck with just a quarter of a mile to race.
Ledbury Hunt Race, amazing spectacle. Credit to organisers and riders. #Ledbury @dredvers pic.twitter.com/gzgM0etXCT
— Oisín Murphy (@mur77375274) February 10, 2018
Carberry’s cousin JD Moore, who rode over 180 winners in Irish point-to-points between 2000 and 2015, came a cropper from his mount at a hedge which followed a road crossing and he was thrown into the obstacle.
Following close in behind, Lighting Tunes ended up landing on top of the hedge and unshipped Carberry, ending his hopes of a second Golden Buttons Challenge, whilst still going well and set to go close at the time.
“I was getting on great having a super ride and cantering coming to the 16th fence and my good cousin JD Moore knocked me out”, is how Carberry reacted to his race when speaking to the Golden Buttons Challenge Facebook page.
“He fell and my horse had a good look at him and skidded into the fence and wiped me out. I would have won!”
Here is a video capturing the spectacular moment Carberry’s race was brought to an end.
Peter Maher, who is sure to be well represented in the farmers race at Punchestown point-to-point this coming Sunday, a race which he has a good strike record in, also rode in the Golden Buttons Challenge aboard a non-thoroughbred close relation to his former point-to-point winner Mtada Supreme.
The pair had a good round before pulling-up at the 16th obstacle.
The race was won by Yvonne Goss aboard Untilla Legend in front of Rowan Cope, Peter Bull and Ed Bailey.
The two Maher's, one a cross country legend and legend from Australia, both rode in the Golden Button @cmaherracing #lunatics pic.twitter.com/9B5iYVHnGI
— Hamish Macauley (@HamishMacauley) February 10, 2018
