Laurencetown Dog Show and Race Day Saturday29.5.22.

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Laurencetown  Dog Show and Race Day Saturday29.5.22. 

Laurencetown  is a small village that  sits along the main road between the towns of Gilford and Banbridge. Its beautiful countryside and green elevated hills made the perfect setting for the Laurencetown  Dog Show and Race Day Saturday 29.5.22.

From the dulcet tones of “Alexa” calling time, and the echo of the dawn chorus ringing in my ears, it was mother natures way of getting us to get out of bed and on the road to Laurencetown Dog Show.

We were blessed with the weather for a change. The sun shone for most of the day, as the Canine men, women and their little folk arrived in force with their prized Canine crew in tow. With Covid hopefully sent packing, it was evident from the turnout at Sundays  show how popular our Country Sports Shows have become and are firmly back on the map again both North and South of the border again.

The venue was brilliant with the rings well spaced out, plenty of ringside parking and a racecourse to die for. The Raffle as usual generated quite a lot of excitement, and many happy punters went home with some lovely prizes.

The wee people were out in strength on Sunday and played around happily on the freshly mown grass under the watchful eye of the proud parents, and afterwards showed their beautiful Canine Pooches in the ring. These young men and women are our Country Sports people of tomorrow and will carry on the Country Sport pursuits long after we have gone beyond the clouds. So it pays off to start them young. There was a burger stand there with very nice food and other goodies for the children.

Very soon it was Racing and Showing time. Here are the Results :

Racing Results : Courtesy of Michael Mc Grath

Elite Big Dogs 

1/ Michael Mcgrath with Bob

Reserve

Michael Mcgrath with Stella

Hairy Dogs 

1/ Earl Gardiner with Chase 

Reserve 

Michael Mcgrath with Stella 

Bull Cross 

1/ Jamie O Connor with Zeus

Reserve 

Rory with Blue 

Under 24s 

1/ Lindsay Gardiner Magill with Briar  Reserve 

John with Lass 

Under 23s Elite 

1/  Rose McCoy with Texas 

Reserve 

Lisa Beggs with Nina

Under 21s 

1/  Patsy McCoy with Dallas 

Reserve

Rose McCoy with Lexi 

Under 23s Traditional Lurcher 

1/  MJ Fennelly with Leela  

Reserve Ned with Chase 

Whippets

1/ Anthony Mcgrath with Mouse Reserve 

Lisa Beggs with Prydzy 

Whippets Pups 

1/ Anthony Mcgrath with Sally

________________________

Showing Results

Champion Whippet PUP

Suzanne Addis with Jax

Reserve

John Mc Stay with Buster

Champion Whippet

Lisa Beggs with Prydzy

Reserve

Suzanne Addis with Willow

Champion Lurcher

Stewarty Graham with Ace

Reserve

Earl Gardiner with Silas

Champion Terrier

Sam Mc Cullough with Jock

Reserve

Tom Barry with Jabba

Champion Strong Dog

Tom Barry with Shamgar

Reserve

Tom Barry with Sully ( Handled by Thomas Coleman)

Overall Champion Puppy 

Reece Curran with Solo

Overall Show Champion and Best in Show

Sam Mc Cullough with Jock

Congratulations to all above winners.

Finally, may I take this opportunity to thank the judges on the day

Whippets –Stephen Kennedy

Lurchers – Roy Nixon

Terriers   -  Graham Brennan

Strong Dogs – Trevor Coulter

Handling Classes – Dorita Manson

Judging is not an easy job at any time, but all of you carried out your duties very professionally and fair.

A Big shout out to Michael and Jack Mc Grath and the Mc Grath Racing Team for the very efficient and fair way you carried out the racing. All racing went like clockwork, and I am sure Mammy Mc Grath was very proud of her boys on Sunday. Well done the Mc Grath Racing Team

And Finally,Finally, Dessie Mackin  words cannot express our gratitude to you and your back up team, for all the hard work and sleepless nights you have put in organising this show in the face of adversity, and to make the end result so successful on the day.  

 Dessie , your show was a credit to you, the venue excellent and a most enjoyable and relaxing day was had by all. Another step forward in our Country Sports the Sport I love. Every show we run brings the enjoyment of the sport to the Forefront, especially a well run show like this. Again in Country Sport a big thank you Dessie, and I will look forward to more of the same next year please God.

Margaret Mc Stay 
 

Edited May 25, 2022 by appleblossom