Ireland Dessie Mackins Christmas Show Saturday 22Nd December 13

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Dessie Mackins Christmas Dog Show Saturday 22^nd December 13

 

 

Halls Mill Inn is a beautiful Old World pub set in the County Down countryside, and sits off the main road between Gilford and Banbridge. This was the venue for Dessie Mackins annual Christmas Dog show Saturday 22^nd December 13.

Although there was not much Christmas Cheer in the weather, the heavy rain and wind did not dampen the spirits of the good men and women of the canine world .And what a day of festivities that was.

There was a large turnout and support for this event. From mid morning cars, vans, and trailers were arriving, all loaded up with their prized canine friends. People like Damien Kelly, Damien Kelly Junior, Owen Barnes and Alan Coyne all travelled from Dublin to the show. This day out is a welcome break from the trials and tribulations of Christmas shopping, and all the razzmatazz that goes with the festive season.

Dessies Christmas show is a gift at this time of year. Christmas can be a very sad and lonesome time, full of memories of yester year. This annual doggie day out before Christmas lifts this mantle, brings cheer in abundance, and helps us to leave our cares behind, and learn to smile again, and that brings rewards in itself.

Showing commenced at approximately 1.30.

Here are the Overall Results from the Show

 

Champion Puppy
Tracy Gill with Scarlett
Champion Whippet
Kirsty Fyffe and Ricky Mc Elwaine with Oliie
Reserve
Tracy Gill with Ash
Champion Lurcher
Mickey Quinn with Lady
Reserve
James Woods with Rusty
Champion Terrier
Damien Kelly with Sheldon
Reserve
Peter Morgan with Tim
Champion Strong Dog
Tom Barry with Tyson
Reserve
Davy Boyd with Max
Overall Show Champion of Champions
Mickey Quinn with Lady

 

Congratulations to Mickey, Lady is one lovely dog, and may she go on to win many more shows and Gamefairs in 2014.

 

Also a big congratulations to all the other winners.

 

Dessie always has surprise presentations up his sleeve on Christmas show day, and this year was no exception.

 

The first accolade on Dessies list was Field Sports Personality 2013. As I was the first recipient of this accolade in 2012, I had the privilege of relinquishing my crown in 2013 to a well deserved winner Mrs Janet Duke. Janet many congratulations, I am sure the Whippets were all drunk on Saturday night, celebrating the bosses achievement. Janet received a beautiful Christmas Hamper as her prize. Well done Janet.

 

The second Accolade went to myself. This presentation was for my contribution to Country Sports up and down the country, in my write ups, show advertisements, and generally helping show and Game Fair organisers and directors, by providing show information on the Hunting Life, Face book, and Irish Country Sports and Country Life Magazine. I received a very large bottle of Champagne. Thanks to Dessie for that..

 

The third accolade went to Bluebell “Deirdre Mc Coy “for her beautiful photographs of our shows and Game Fairs during the year. Deidre, your show photographs gives all show goers such pleasure, seeing our photographs on screen with our winning prized Canine friends. And in the long cold winter nights , looking out the window at robin red breast chirping in the snow on our window sills, it is lovely to look back at these happy memories of the year gone by. Deirdre, you have given so much pleasure through your photographs, and may you continue for many years to come. Another well deserved bottle of Champagne was brought home to the Mc Coy household.

 

The biggest and final Accolade of the day went to none other than Dessie Mackin himself. Dessie won the Overall Champion of Champions at the Irish Game and Country Fair, Shanes Castle 2013 with his Champion winning Terrier Soda. What a win that was.

 

Part of Dessies prize was a beautiful Country Sports Barbour Coat to the value of £400. Albert Titterington, Director of the great Game Fairs of Ireland and his wife Irene, was on hand at Halls Mills Christmas show to make the presentation. Congratulations Dessie on your big win, and also thanks to Albert and Irene Titterington for joining in the festive cheer and making the presentation to Dessie.

 

And Finally, may I take this opportunity to thank Dessie for a brilliant show, and a great evenings entertainment in Halls Mills after the show with plenty of Christmas cheer. Also to the judges, thank you for a job well done.

 

I would like to wish all Canine folk and their families, Hunters, and lampers, North and South of the border and further afield, A Very Happy and Prosperous New Year, and I look forward to meeting up with you all again in 2014.

 

Margaret Mc Stay

Edited December 27, 2013 by appleblossom