Ireland The Sporting Whippet Club Of Ni Show And Race Day Sunday 15Th September 13 At Dunsilly, Co Antrim

appleblossom · September 17, 2013

The Sporting Whippet Club and Race day at Dunsilly Co Antrim, Sunday 15^th September 13.

Sunday 15^th September 13 was the last Whippet show of 2013 for the Sporting Whippet Club of NI and the first two qualifiers for the Five Nations Whippet Championship. I am so proud to say we now as Whippet people can take our rightful place alongside

the great and the good at the first ever “Five Nations Whippet Championship” held under the directorship of Mr Albertj Titterington at the Irish Game Fair at Shanes Castle on Sunday the 29^th June 2014 .

Our first qualifier was the winner of “Best in Show “ Renoir, owned and handled by Tracy Gill, and our second qualifier was: “ The Sporting Whippet Club NI Champions of Champions” : Briar, owned and handled by Carole Hill. What a great achievement for these two ladies, and many congratulations to you both.

Although the weather forecast was not good for Sunday, with the exception of a cold wind, the rain kept away, and we even had a little sunshine, off and on through the day. As this was the last show of the year, it was Barbeque and beverage time. And what a choice we had. From early morning tents were going up, barbeque and food arriving, and all of the committee playing their part to make it an enjoyable day for all. The race grading started at approx 12.30, followed by the showing, and then by the Championships and presentations. A full set of results are on the Sporting Whippet Club Ni Face Book site and on Hunting Life.

There were two very Special Presentations on the day, which I must mention. The first presentation of a beautiful Cup was : The Club awards points, for the most points gained in Racing during the year, and this year it went to John Shaw. A big Congratulations John , a well deserved winner. You never miss a show and always there with your helping hands. The second presentation was a big surprise, and really made his day. Yes it was none other than my husband and partner in crime, John Mc Stay. John received this beautiful cup for being the” Most Enthusiastic Raffler “ (ticket buyer) of the year. This cup was kindly sponsored by Kirsty Fyffe and Ricky Mc Elwaine, and I can tell you John was one very happy man at the end of the show. Many thanks Kirsty and Ricky for all the fun and excitement this created on the day. Great thought, kindness, and thinking behind this one.

I can honestly say the man of the show on Sunday was Paul Reynolds, and also a qualified chef. While we were all enjoying ourselves, racing and showing our valued canine friends, Paul was slogging it out in the tent preparing the food for our Barbeque. And that he did with flying colours. Paul prepared all types of Game stew, Wild Salmon, donated by Tango, beef burgers, sausages, and every kind of salad you could think of. Every body was fed, and highly praised the food, and Pauls speciality of Game Stews. Paul had four helpers in the Tent, who assisted him serve up the food , Chrissy Loughran, Jason Dunwoody, another person whos name I did not get, and of course, keep it in the family, his brilliant son and rising country sports star, Pearse Reynolds. Paul, you and your brilliant band of helpers done a wonderful job on Sunday, and many thanks from all of us. Pauls wife Heather also made a beautiful cake for this occasion, with edible Whippets on top. Well done Heather, a lovely gesture to the club.

And Finally, we come to the close of the showing season, and the end of our Whippet Club Shows for 2013.Many thanks to the Judges on Sunday Mrs Jan Irwin and Ryan Hunter, and congratulations to all the worthy winners on the day too. May I take this opportunity to thank our Chairperson Mrs Janet Duke and vice Chairman Mr Paul Reynolds and our wonderful committee for their time, effort and all the hard work they have put in to our shows this year. Without all hands on board this could not off happened. Bluebell, (Deirdre Mc Coy) thank you for being around all year and capturing our moment of glory. Its nice when the snow hits the window sill, to be able to sit down in front of a nice coal fire and go through our photographs, and look back on our moments of glory in the summer. Many thanks Bluebell for that. And last but not least, the person who allows our shows to take place on his property, and keeps the ground in mint condition for all our show goers through the year. Yes, a Big thank you to Victor Mc Donald. Victor, you are just not our landlord, but also a true friend and colleague of the Sporting Whippet Club NI.

I will conclude now , by thanking everybody who supported the Sporting Whippet NI Shows during 2013, donated gifts for the Raffle, and helped out in any way. I look forward to seeing you all back here again at Dunsilly in 2014.

Margaret Mc Stay

Committee Member

( Sporting Whippet Club NI )

Edited September 17, 2013 by appleblossom