Ireland First Sporting Whippet Club Show Of The Year At Dunsilly Kennels Co Antrim Sunday 27Th April 14

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Sporting Whippet Club of Northern Ireland Dog Show and Race Day Sunday 27^th April 14

 

Nestled on the outskirts of the bustling town of Antrim, yet only 20 minutes from Belfast City Centre, Dunsilly Dog Kennels, is ideally situated in the heart of Northern Ireland, and located at Milltown Road just off the M2/M22 motorway at junction 1. This has been, and was the superb location for The Sporting Whippet Club of Northern Irelands first Whippet Show and Race day of 2014, Sunday 27^th April 14. Definitely I believe in the saying” The Sun only shines on Gods people “ well he played his part well for the Whippet Club on Sunday. What a beautiful day.

 

From 10.30am onwards the crowds began arriving in the field, all kitted out for the day, with flasks, family, chairs and dogs, all out with one thing in mind, to win and have a great family day out with their Canine Friends. And that was what was delivered on the day.

 

I think in all the times I have been going to the Whippet Club Shows, this was the biggest turn out of people, pups and Dogs I have ever seen in Dunsilly. For each class including puppy class, there were 15-18 dogs in the ring in most of the classes, with the exception of Pairs and Vetern. This was the same report for the racing classes.

 

I met up with some old friends, and also made some new ones. I spoke to a very nice Polish lady,out with family and their Whippet for the day. They were overjoyed just to be there, and say they will definitely be regulars from now on. It was nice to see other clubs there to support the Whippet Club on the day. I saw quite a few Nilrc Shirts, Peter Morgan, an avid Terrier man, Brian Crothers and his dogs, all just there to support the club on the day, along with members of the Mourne Club, who also came out on Sunday to show their support for our show day. Hopefully on the 11^th of May, we will all be there to Support the Mourne Show on their big day.

 

As the sun was shining all day, the children had a field day. They played around all day, under the watchful eye of the grownups. Some tired little feet and sleepy heads on Sunday night. That is what life is all about. Young Pearse Reynolds was there lending a helping hand around the ring at a very young age. These young sports people are the Country Sports people of tomorrow, so let them walk in our footsteps, if only for a little while.

 

The showing started at approximately 12.30pm. Here are the results from the show.

Showing –

 

Judge : Lynda McDonald

Children’s Handling
1st – Lauren Tucker handling Tia
2nd – Abi Fyffe handling Barney
3rd – Jack Dumigan handling Mac

Whippet Pup
1st – Davy Best with Buddy
2nd – Tracy Gill with Scarlett
3rd – Rea Wilson with Odis

Whippet Dog
1st – Davy Best with Harley
2nd –Brian Welsh with Blade
3rd – Kirsty Fyffe with Ollie

Whippet Bitch
1st – Rea Wilson with Lola
2nd – Davy Best with Penny
3rd – Ann Forsythe with Poppy

Working Whippet
1st – Graham Fyffe with Bolt
2nd – John Shaw with Mango
3rd – Paul Morrison with Jack

Veteran Whippet
1st – Tracy Gill with Lola
2nd – John McStay with Silver
3rd – John Shaw with Billy

Pairs
Winner - Michael Quinn with Finn & Briar

Best In Show – Davy Best with Harley
Reserve Best In Show – Davy Best with Buddy

Members Class
Winner – Michael Quinn with Tara

Racing Results

Grade ‘A’
Winner – Bolt (Graham Fyffe)
Reserve – Rio (Patsy McCoy)
3rd – Mango (John Shaw)
4th – Briar (Roy Hill)

Grade ‘B’
Winner – Blade (Brian Welsh)
Reserve –Linnet (Roy Hill)
3rd – Ash (Tracy Gill)
4th – Frankie (Lisa Dumigan)

Grade ‘C’
Winner – Daisy (Paul McNally)
Reserve – Eva (Kathie Knox)
3rd – Jack (Paul McNally)
4th – Blueberry (Roy Hill)

Puppy Racing
Winner –Scarlett (Tracy Gill)
Reserve – Bolt (Craig Sharkey)
3rd – Odis (Rea Wilson)
4th – Spot (Brian Welsh)

 

And Finally, may I take this opportunity to thank Linda Mc Donald, our Judge of the day on Sunday. Judging is a difficult job at any time, but you carried out your duties to a very high standard. Many thanks Linda for that.

 

Our shows would not be possible if it were not for Victor Mc Donald, owner of Dunsilly Kennels. Victor, your kindness is so much appreciated, and a lovely venue for our shows. The club made a Cheque presentation to a representative of the Chest , Heart and Stroke association at Sundays show. This charity was of Victors choice, and donated by the Whippet Club, on behalf of Victor Mc Donald. Again Victor many thanks for your kindness to the club year on year.

 

Bluebell ( Deirdre Mc Coy ) was on hand , clicking away with her camera. Deirdre, what would we do without you. Looking forward to seeing all the photographs up on the forms shortly.

 

And Finally, Finally, I must congratulate our new Chairman Paul Reynolds, Carol Hill, new secretary/treasurer, and his new committee for running a very successful show on Sunday. I also must thank our outgoing Chairman Janet Duke for all her hard work during her term as Chairman.

 

Patsy Mc Coy, our new racing manager at Dunsilly, I have to admire you, the way you conducted the racing schedule on Sunday, despite a hitch with th lure, with the help of Mickey Quinn, Tracy Gill and Brian Crothers. A job well done Patsy, Mickey, Brian and Tracy.

 

When the lure broke down, Mark Mc Callion and Chontelle Mc Meekan came very gallantly to the rescue with a back up lure. Words cannot express our gratitude for your help on Sunday and no doubt lessons have been learned.

 

And so another memorable day came to an end at Dunsilly. Thank you all for coming out on Sunday and supporting “The Sporting Whippet Club of Northern Ireland” in such large numbers. A very successful show, and I look forward to seeing you all back again, along with your friends, and folk who have genuine whippets and have not made their way to Dunsilly yet.

 

Next Whippet show and Raceday at Dunsilly will be on the 18^th May. See you all there for more of same. on the 18^th.May.

 

 

Margaret Mc Stay

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LOVELY write up from a LOVELY person,,,it was great to meet up with everyone again at the first show. And Margaret I always get a laugh or two with you and big John which is what it should always be about .Some times the competitive side can take me away but I can always get a laugh or two after talking to you or John for 5 minutes.Both myself and Nicky really enjoy and look forward to all the shows we attend with our family and yourself ,John and all the other usual suspects in the whippet world always make it a special day. We have always been made to feel welcome at the S.W.C.NI from the word go and I know Nicky has had loads of help regarding the showing end of things from Janet, Tracey Davy and other members of the club. I myself have had to call some of the same people mentioned for advice which has always been given freely. Both Patsy and Deidre helped me get Bolt On the lure as a pup along side my ole mate Darren even though they knew Bolt would be in competition with their own dog Rio,but that didn't matter. Things like that I never forget and I hope I can repay and help any of those same people I have mentioned some day. Its a great club and collectively you all make it what it is,,,,,, long may it continue