TALLY HO CHRISTMAS DOG SHOW AND RACEDAY SATURDAY 9th DECEMBER 23

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TALLY HO CHRISTMAS DOG SHOW AND RACEDAY SATURDAY 9th DECEMBER 23

 

At this time every year we all look forward to our Christmas Dog shows and this year was no different. Saturday morning the 9^th December 23 had finally arrived and it was time to load up and head for Ballymena to the Tally Ho Christmas Dog Show and Race Day.

As we drove along the motorway, the winds and rain swept us along, and it became  evident  it was time to get the water proofs on. We were living in hope the rain and wind would subside as the day went on, but unfortunately this was not to happen.

But as the old saying goes the show must go on and that it did. In the face of adversity, howling winds and rain, show organiser Peter Morgan being the man he is and a credit to the Country Sports fraternity, battened up the hatches, hammered down the show rings, got the racing under way, and very soon the 2023 Tally Ho Christmas Dog Show had rolled on.

Tally Ho Working Dog Christmas show and Race day is widely acclaimed as being one of the top shows of the year, and again this year it certainly lived up to its name.  Although the weather was inclement and the worst I have seen in the 25 years I have been at dog shows up and down the country.But on the day, this show was not lacking in Christmas cheer. 

Hunting men and women and their wee people left the field and their homes behind them to spend a day out at this great annual Christmas Sporting occasion. 

This Christmas Dog Show is always a very welcome break from the busy schedules of Christmas shopping, but can also be a very sad and lonesome time, full of memories of yesteryear. This annual doggie day out lifts this mantle, brings cheer in abundance, and helps us to leave our cares behind if only for a day and that brings rewards in itself.

As usual Santa and his Elf stopped off at the Tally Ho Show to pay a visit on his way to the North Pole with lots of goodies for the children. This is always the highlight of the Christmas show. It was heart warming to hear the children singing Jingle Bells, and the happy smiles on those we faces. 

Very soon it was Raffle time. The raffle always generates a lot of   excitement. Some great and valuable Christmas prizes, including a Turkey. 

Time flies bye so quickly show time had arrived.

Here are the Racing Results from the pen of Joanna Relf Lee.

LURCHER PUPS

1/ YAPPER HAYES WITH LADY

2/ JOHN WILLIAMS WITH SASS

WHIPPETS

1/ SEAN BURKE WITH JACK

2/ SEAN BURKE WITH PADDY

U21

1/ ROSE McCOY WITH ARLO

2/ YAPPER HAYES WITH JESSIE

UNDER 23

1/ ROSE Mc COY WITH TEXAS

2/ ANTHONY Mc CARTHY WITH QUEENIE

U24

1/ YAPPER HAYES WITH MISTY

2/ TASHA TRUESDALE WITH PRADA

O24

1/ TIERNA OWENS WITH MILEY

2/ CLIONA OWENS WITH KING

HAIRY O24 ( MICK THE MILLAR )

1/ ERROL GARDINER  WITH MILO

2/ ERROL GARDINER WITH CHASE

SMOOTH OVER 24 ( MASTER McGRATH )

1/ COLIN TUCKER WITH FLETCHER 

2/ AUDGIE DUNNE WITH GYPSY

BULL CROSS HEAVY

1/ LEANNE HAWTHORNE WITH SOLO

2/ KATELYN Mc KENZIE WITH ZERA

BULL CROSS LIGHT

1/ PADDY GIBSON WITH BLAZE

2/ GAVIN BYRNE WITH DELILAH

Some Showing Results

CHAMPION PUPPY

TASHA  TRUESDALE WITH LUNA

RESERVE

JAMIE O CONNOR WITH CHICO

LADIES HANDLING CLASS

KATELYN Mc KENZIE WITH XERA

GENTS HANDLING CLASS

JOHN WILLIAMS WITH LIGHTENING

OVERALL CHAMPION CHILD HANDLER

MASON MARSHALL WITH CARA

RESERVE

ELLIE-MAY BOYD WITH XERA

OVERALL CHAMPION FANCY DRESS HANDLER

LORCAN Mc KEEVER  WITH ARLO

CHAMPION  WHIPPET

JAMES MULLEN WITH MAX

RESERVE

SUSAN McCANN WITH PENNY

CHAMPION LURCHER

JAMIE O CONNOR WITH CRUNCHER

RESERVE

LEANNE HAWTHORNE WITH SOLO

CHAMPION TERRIER

DEANO DEXTER DAVIS WITH PAT

RESERVE

PADDY GIBSON WITH COCO

CHAMPION WORKING STRONG DOG

TASHA TRUESDALE  WITH  TYSON

RESERVE

PAULA BEGGS WITH PACO

****OVERALL CHAMPION AND BEST IN SHOW****

JAMES MULLEN WITH MAX

A BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO ABOVE WINNERS.

And Finally, may I take this opportunity to thank the judges on the day for a job well done.

Childrens Handling Class / Fancy Dress Class / Margaret Mc Stay

Ladies and Gents Handling Class/Stephanie O Connor

Whippets / Matt Lee

Lurchers / Gerdy Daly

Terriers / Marty Black

Working Strong Dogs / Andy Spence

Bullies / Bouncing Bubbles Ballymena

Judging is not an easy job, but you were consistent and fair, and very successful with the end product. 

A big thank you to Matt Lee/Joanna Relf Lee /Matthew Lee for being so professional with the racing on the day. Your experience and input was invaluable, and of this the Tally Ho team are extremely grateful. Well done by all.

Finally, Finally, despite the bad weather, the craic and the banter around the rings was mighty and a brilliant atmosphere full of Christmas cheer.  

None of this would have been possible without the main man at the helm, and brilliant organiser Peter Morgan and helpers Conor Creagh/another young man/ and Caitlin Hughes. 

Peter put this show together all by himself and worked tirelessly and gave up his time to make this day so successful and enjoyable for everyone despite the bad weather. 

Peter your show was a credit to you and you made everybody so welcome. As usual you have went over and above the call of duty with your Trophies, Rosettes and Prizes. I have heard nothing but praise of your show from everybody that came my way. 

I am sure there were many sleepless nights, but again all credit goes to you Peter Morgan. Peter you carried on regardless like a true huntsman despite the terrible weather situation and carried out a very successful Dog Show and Race Day.   

Stay safe Peter and may your giving hand never want. And TO all my Sporting friends, God Bless you all, and have a lovely Christmas with your families and I look forward to meeting up with you all again in 2024.

Margaret Mc Stay

Edited December 13, 2023 by appleblossom