Ireland The Combined Clubs Dog Show And Race Day At Laurencetown, Banbridge. Sunday 12Th April 15

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The Combined Clubs Dog Show and Raceday at ,

Laurencetown, Banbridge, Sunday 12^th April 2015.

 

 

Woke up Sunday morning, looked out through the window and saw the rain pounding down against the pavement in the back garden. Alarm Bells started ringing in my ears immediately, and lead me to question, is this going to be the end of Dog Show day at Laurencetown, or is our luck going to change. But the Gods were well and truly looking after the good Canine folk North and South of the border, and by 12noon the sun burst open in abundance over the Co Down hills, and the rest is history.

 

Dogs loaded up, some breakfast with friends along the way, we arrived at the field at approximately 10.30am. The entrance to the field was a bit mucky to start with after the heavy rain, but with a little elbow grease from our good strong huntsmen, grids were put down, and problem solved in a matter of minutes.

 

 

Sundays Dog show had the biggest crowd I have ever seen at a Laurencetown show. By 11.30am the cars were double parked on the hill and many more parked on the road. It was nice to see families piling into the Spring sunshine for a great day out at the dog show. The atmosphere was electric, despite all the hiccops in the days leading up to the show. However , common sense triumphed in the face of adversity and very soon the Laurencetown show was well under way.

 

 

As I dragged my camera phone out of my bag, and started wandering around the rings, I met up with so many nice people along the way. Karl Roche and the whole Dublin gang came down to support the show as did the Carlow gang, Karen Cummins and husband, and David Nolan. Some craic with them guys. A great bunch of lads and lassies and all out for a great days enjoyment.

 

 

And out of the crowd , there standing before me was the King and Queen of the Irish Game Fairs at Shanes Castle and Birr Castle, AJ Titterington and his lovely wife Irene. What a welcome surprise. Albert had his Lynsey Carlisle walking stick with him, and this lovely Country Sports gent and his wife Irene, mingled and chatted with all the happy show goers, and Shanes and Birr Castle fans on the day.

 

 

Time passed quickly, and soon it was time for the simulated coursing. Fiona Devlins Maverick took the cup home for this event. This grand old vetern of the show ring still has the umph in him, and went onto beat a lot of younger dogs than himself and made Fiona a very proud lady on the day. Congratulations Fiona and Maverick and well done.

 

 

Straight after the coursing, it was show time. This was kicked off with the childrens handling class judged by Leanne Barry and myself. Well if the ring of young girls and boys showing their dogs on Sunday is our dog show men and women of tomorrow, then we will have nothing to worry about our Country Sportsmen and women of tomorrow, and long after we have gone beyond the rainbow bridge. I was so proud of these children in the ring, and all such great handlers. You were all winners in my eyes. Some sleepy heads on Monday morning. Congratulations to all.

 

 

Now it was show time for the adults. Here are the Champions on the day.

 

 

**Champion Puppy Breandan Coleman with Tara

Reserve Champion Leroy Mc Cullough with Tizer

 

 

**Champion Strong Dog went to : BM Bulls with Sky

Reserve Champion : Davy Boyd with Smokey

 

 

**Champion Strong Dog Puppy went to :

Stuarty Moore with

 

 

**Champion Whippet and 5 Nations qualifer for Shanes Castle went to: Janet Duke with Oscar.

Reserve Champion : John Mc Stay with Patch

 

 

**Champion Lurcher went to : James Woods with Rusty, 5 Nations Qualifer for Birr Castle

Reserve Champion : Davy Best with Daisy

 

 

** Champion Terrier went to :Breandan Coleman with Roxy and 5 Nations qualifer for Birr Castle.

Reserve Champion : Declan Owens with Mossco

 

 

Congratulations to all the brilliant Champions and Reserve Champions. You have all got Top Dogs and true Champions.

 

 

****Overall Supreme Show Champion went to :

James Woods with Rusty. James, Rusty owes you nothing. What a deserving Champion. A big congratulations and well done.

 

 

Overall Racing Results

 

**Under 21s and Qualifer for the Master Mc Grath at Shanes Castle :

Deirdre Mc Coy with Taylor

 

**Over 23 Elite Qualifer for the Master Mc Grath at Shanes Castle

Michael Quinn with Mo Charra

A Big Congratulations to Deirdre and Michael and well done to both.

 

And Finally, may I take this opportunity to thank our magnificent Judges.

Childrens Handling Class – Leanne Barry/Margaret Mc Stay

Whippets – Tom Thompson

Lurchers - Mick c Nabb

Terriers/Strong Dogs Trevor Coulter and Padraig Elliman.

 

 

Judging is not an easy job at anytime , but you all carried out your duties to perfection, firm, but very fair. Many thanks for that. Hope we will meet you all in the ring again, some where down the line shortly.

 

 

The Racing could not have happened so successfully, and run so smoothly, if it had not of been for the Combined clubs helpers. Patsy Mc Coy on Lure/ Maurice Thomas Mc Dowell, lure organiser/Linesman Dessie Mackin/ and Starting Line Mickey Quinn, Tom, Leanne, Morgan and Ethan Barry. What a combination of well focused people, and an excellent job was carried out by all concerned.

 

And Finally, Finally, Tom Barry presented Albert J Titterington on behalf of the Combined Clubs , with a beautiful Silver Pocket Watch in appreciation for everything Albert has done for Country Sports over the years. Albert you really deserve this award and more. You give so much sponsorship and qualifers to our shows North and South of the border. You give generously to charities and other charitable causes, and above all you and Irene give us all so much enjoyment all summer through your winning and excellent Irish Game Fairs at Shanes Castle and Birr Castle. Of that we are truly thankful. Albert also presented gifts to Tom Barry and Dessie Mackin on the day.

 

Bluebell ( Deirdre Mc Coy ) and Billy Harpur, as always was there to photograph our winners in the ring and on the racecourse. You both do a great job,

recording our memorable moments and many thanks for that.

 

 

This write up could not come to a conclusion without mentioning the main players , Tom Barry, Leanne, Morgan and Ethan Barry, and the man himself Dessie Mackin. What a team working together. These people worked so hard behind the scenes to make this show happen at short notice when disaster struck and the show had to be moved to another venue. The show was a credit to you all, and also a credit to your honesty and integrity.

 

Tom and Dessie you as a team produced an excellent show, full of fun and enjoyment among like minded people, and I look forward to the many shows, you the Combined Clubs have planned for the rest of the summer.

 

 

 

Margaret Mc Stay

 

 

 

 

Edited April 16, 2015 by appleblossom