TALLY HO CHARITY DOG SHOW AND RACEDAY IN AID OF SUICIDE AWARENESS, SATURDAY 21st AUGUST 21

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TALLY HO CHARITY DOG SHOW AND RACEDAY IN AID OF SUICIDE AWARENESS, SATURDAY 21^st AUGUST 21

As I draw back the curtains on a wet August Saturday morning, my inner thoughts ran riot with my brain, throwing at me all the meaningful tasks I had to complete to get us   on our way to the Tally Ho Charity Dog Show and Race day in aid of suicide awareness.   

As we drove off from home with dogs in toe, I had sadness in my heart, knowing this would probably be the last working dog show of 2021. Despite the continuous showers of rain in the morning,families and country sportsmen and women from North and South of the border came out in their droves. By 12 noon the field was full to capacity with every breed of dog you could name. The atmosphere was electric, the craic was good, and Peter Morgan and Liam Toner were in their element keeping everything under raps.

As I walked around the field, I visited the many stands along the way. Mark and Amanda Delaney were there with everything you would need for your Canine friends as was Anthony Butler from County Mayo with some of his fine leathers. There was also a country sportswear stand, a burger stand,and  a bouncy castle for the little people. 

The quality of dogs at the show on Sunday was of a very high standard and  a judges nightmare. All our little people were there, contributing in their own little way, and playing around the field with all their little Canine friends. These little boys and girls are our sportsmen and women of tomorrow.

 

Next on the menu was the Raffle and auction. Again the craic was mighty. Natasha Ahmed conducted the raffle and Peter Morgan the auction. Well there was a rush of excitement around the ring as Natasha called out our numbers and Fred Hallissey provided the entertainment. And some entertainment that was, but Natasha kept him under control.Well done Natasha.    

Time passes so quickly when you are enjoying yourself, and very soon it was time for the Racing and Showing to start.

Here are the Overall Showing Results

Ladies Handling Class

Joyce Scott with Duncan

Gents Handling Class

Brian Grady with Socks

Overall Champion Puppy

Jed Donagh with Ace

Overall Champion Whippet

Colin Tucker with Cooper 

Overall Champion Lurcher

Stewart Graham with Ace

Overall Champion Terrier

Billy Kerry with Captain

Overall Champion Strong Dog

Ryan O Neill with Whiskey

Reserve

Andy Spence with Rebel

Overall Champion Pairs

Eleanor Norman

Reserve 

Susanne Addis 

Overall Champion Vetern

Darren Booth with Archie

Reserve

Kirsty Harpur with Skyler

***Racing Results***

U21  

Errol Gardiner with Bonny

2/Natasha Truesdale with Nova

O23  Malcolm with Milo

2/Kirsty Harpur with Skyler

U21 Elites

Patsy Mc Coy with Dallas

2/Rose Mc Coy with Loxi

U23 Elites

Rose Mc Coy with Texas

2/Colin Mc Donald with Cooper

O23 Elites

Michael Pardy with George

2/ Michael Pardy with Daisy

Hairy Overs

Errol Gardiner with Chase

2/ Stephanie O Connor with wicked

Hairy Unders

Leigh Thompson with Shirley

2/ Barry Holland with Bell

Bull Cross

Jed Donagh  with Jess

2/ Paul Donnelly with Dixie

Whippet Dog

Barry Chambers with Alfie

2/ Lisa Beggs with Prydz

Whippet Bitch

Sean Burke with Lilly

2/ Bradley Dynes with Jet

Lurcher Pups

Colin Tucker with Fletcher

2/ Natasha Truesdale with Prada

Congratulations to all above winners.

Country Sports has donated so much to charity down through the years. Billy Harpur an avid sportsman himself and at the moment fighting his own battle with health donated £130,proceeds from Billy raffling one of his prized birds and cage. Some happy camper went home with a lovely prize. Well done Billy.

And Finally, what can I say about the judges who done a brilliant, but difficult job in the ring.

Whippets/Angela Flack. Lurchers/Fred Hallissey.Terriers/Sean Donaghy and Rob Roy. Strong Dogs/Matthew Mc Donald and Niall Mc Cann. Pets/Stephanie O Connor.Ladies and Gents handling class/Jonathan Kirwan/Childrens Handling Class/Margaret Mc Stay.

The Racing went without a hitch, and was run by the expert hands of Chontelle Mc Meekan and Mark Mc Callion. All dogs ran and went home safe with beautiful trophys and a bag of meal. Many thanks Chontelle and Mark.

And Finally, Finally I always leave the best to last. May I take this opportunity to thank Peter Morgan and Liam Toner for all the hard work and organisation put in to making this first time show in aid of Suicide Awareness an over whelming success. Peter and Liam, I know you worked your knuckles to the bone putting up fences, getting trophys sorted, putting up rings, getting the raffle and auction sorted out, and left nobody out and no stone unturned. 

Peter all country sports men should be proud of you for what you have done for this charity. I am very conscious you told me all input for the show, you have financed on your own to make this show happen for charity. What a gesture. Your giving hand knows no bounds. Peter will let you all know when the remaining funds come in, the total amount of which you all contributed to, plus a presentation later to the charity.

Suicide Awareness is a very important charity in our community and does so much to help families through the darkest days of their lives. Suicide wrecks lives and dreams, and it’s the people left behind that suffer most. Suicide has no bounds. It creeps into our homes with terrible consequences like a thief in the night. 

Peter and Liam thank you so much for a well run Dog Show and Raceday. Peter a special word of thanks for your lovely flowers and Chocolates and all your kindness to John and myself on the day. 

Hopefully God willing, we will look forward to getting more of the same in 2022. 

Margaret Mc Stay