KEEP ER LIT DOG SHOW AND RACE DAY SUNDAY 23rd APRIL 23

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KEEP ER LIT DOG SHOW AND RACE DAY SUNDAY 23^rd APRIL 23

What an exceptionally extra ordinary day we had at the “ Keep Er Lit Dog Show and Race day” in Ballymena on Sunday 23^rdApril. This was a show with a difference, with the inclusion of not only dog showing and racing, but also Dog Athletics, High Jumps, Dog climber and a Bouncy Castle for the wee people.

All of this was the brain child of one young lady by the name of Leigh Thompson who run the show in aid of “ Kids going to Lapland “ and run it with impeccable organisation and discipline. All events run like clockwork and some beautiful Trophies was awarded to our canine friends in the summer ring.

This was the largest turnout of Lurchers, Terriers, Whippets, Greyhounds and Strong Dogs I have seen in the last couple of years with eighty five dogs racing on the day. The weather was kind to us, and the race track and show rings were in mint condition. The speed that those dogs run at is a sight to see, but also the height their owners jump when they win is even more hilarious. The joy our canine friends give us both in the field in the winter and the show ring in the summer is immeasurable. I just do not care if ours wins or not, it’s the joy and pride we get from just seeing them racing and showing,and meeting up with our doggie friends  that keeps us alive. If they win it’s a bonus and these beautiful animals ask for nothing in return.

The raffle always generates oddles of excitement, and Sunday was no different. Loads of beautiful prizes were won and some very happy campers  went home happy on the day. As I walked around the rings with my mobile camera, it was nice to meet up with some old friends and also made some new ones. Yapper Hayes drove all the way from Co Kilkenny, as did Jed Donagh drive from Drogheda, JP O Hagan from Strabane and many more drove from Dublin, Cork and Derry, to get to this great show day.

Time passes so quickly and very soon it was show time.

Childrens Handling Class :

Was won by Helena Rose Mc Bride and her we doggie Clyde. This was one proud and confident little lady, who certainly had nothing to learn on how to handle a dog. Well done Helena Rose. Geordie Mc Bride was one proud daddy. Also in the ring was young Lorcan Mc Keever with his doggie Loxi,with proud mammy Rose Mc Coy. It was nice to see children all dressed up in their country sports gear including the caps, so cute. All children in the ring were winners and remember they are our show organisers of tomorrow. No harm in starting them young.

Here are some Results from Sundays Show from the pen of Leigh Thompson

Showing Results

LADIES HANDLING CLASS

PAULA BEGGS WITH NINA

GENTS HANDLING CLASS

JAMIE O CONNOR WITH ZEUS

OVERALL CHAMPION LURCHER

 CONOR DOHERTY WITH TROY

RESERVE

JONATHAN KIRWAN WITH SADIE

OVERALL CHAMPION WHIPPET

 SUZANNE ADDIS WITH JAX

RESERVE

SEAN BURKE WITH JACK

OVERALL CHAMPION GREYHOUND

DEREK LYNN WITH DENVER

OVERALL CHAMPION TERRIER

MAXIE MAXWELL WITH STIG

RESERVE

WILLIAM HANNA WITH BUZZ

OVERALL CHAMPION BULLY

EDDIE TUCKER JR WITH TOKYO

OVERALL CHAMPION STRONG DOG

PAULA BEGGS WITH PACO

RESERVE CHAMPION

CONOR DOHERTY WITH TROY

OVERALL CHAMPION  PUP

 HARRY JOHN DIGGING WITH MAXIMUS

OVERALL CHAMPION PAIRS  

JED DONAGH WITH FINN AND JAKE 

OVERALL CHAMPION VETERAN

JED DONAGH WITH LILY

 **OVERALL SHOW CHAMPION AND BEST IN SHOW**

 PAULA BEGGS WITH PACO

RESERVE

CONOR DOHERTY WITH TROY

 -------------------------------------------

 RACING RESULTS

WHIPPETS

1^ST Sean Burke with Jack

2^nd Sean Burke with Paddy

PUPS

1^ST Jamie O Connor with Storm

2^nd Errol Gardiner with Ranger

BULL CROSS

1ST Joyce Scott with Axel

2nd Joyce Scott with Mabel

UNDER 21

1ST Lynzi Gardiner with Beauty

2nd Rose McCoy with Loxi

UNDER 22

1ST Kirsty Harpur with Dash

2^nd   Kirsty Harpur with Arlo

OVER 23 LURCHER

1ST Paul with Milo

2nd Stephen Mc with Thunder

UNDER 23

Jimmy Scott with Mini

Billy Kerry with Axel 

HAIRY OVER

1ST Jimmy Scott with Sugar

2nd Errol Gardiner with Chase

HAIRY UNDER 24

1ST Shane Brett with Rose

2nd Lee Brooks with Mulla

UNDER 24

1ST Colin Tucker with Fletcher

2nd Yapper Hayes with Jess

OVER 24

1ST Clona with King

2nd Yapper Hayes with Misty

And Finally, Judges you done a great job on the day and were meticulous in your judgement. Whippets: Fiona Devlin/Lurchers + Ladies Handling Class:Jonny Hunter/Terriers:Pauric Charly/Strong Dogs:Barry Holland/Childrens Handling Class :Eden Stafford/Gents Handling Class : Gail Ross

The racing went without a hitch and run so efficiently by Chontelle Mc Meekin and Mark Mc Callion. 85 dogs run and booked in and all run on time. Well done Chontelle and Mark for another days great days racing.

Barry Kelly was there with his animal athletics. This is a sport that is attracting so much interest at the moment and is growing fast with some very strong and fast dogs taking part. Jamie Stafford was also there with his dog climber. Another part of the sport that has taken off big time. Well done to both men and I look forward to more of the same in the future.

As we all know Leigh run this show in aid of “Kids to Lapland “ This charity aims to give terminally ill,life limited and deserving children from across Northern Ireland a truly magical day creating excitement and memories which they and their families will cherish forever. In some of these cases this trip to Lapland may be their last trip out before they depart from this earth, and these trips bring so much happiness into their short lives if only for a day. All our good canine friends who attended this show have made their own contribution to this great charity.

And Finally, Finally, I could write all night about this show, there was no negatives, and so many good things to say about it. It was evident a lot of hard work and muscle had gone into making this show a most enjoyable family day out for all. 

Leigh Thompson, you are the salt of the earth with a heart of gold and a great ambassador for the canine world. You pulled off a top class first time show with top class organisational skills and excellent management. You had your team working with you and above all so many children will benefit from your good work, you turned a dream into a reality for many children and I am very proud to say well done Leigh.

Maybe in 2024 you will consider doing more of the same. Many thanks for all your hard work Leigh and God Bless to we meet again.

 

 Margaret Mc Stay

Edited April 25, 2023 by appleblossom