MY DOG SHOWS AND RACEDAYS LIST SO FAR FOR 2024   Updated  8.5.24   HURRY UP AND GET YOUR DATES IN NOW, SHOW TIME IS FAST APPROACHING. FROM THE PEN OF MARGARET MC STAY     MY SHOW LIST SO FAR FOR 2024     SUNDAY 12th MAY 24 WATERFORD FOX HOUNDS DOG SHOW  CLONEGAM PORTLAW CO WATERFORD X91 H337   SATURDAY 18th MAY 24 SOUTH TYRONE FOXHOUNDS DOG SHOW  AND RACEDAY 54 DERRYCOOSE ROAD ANNAGHMORE  BT62 1LY   SUNDAY 19th MAY 24 KILLURE WORKING TERRIER ,LURCHER AND  WHIPPET CLUB  DOG SHOW( PADDY DUNPHY MEMORIAL SHOW )AND RACEDAY DUNMAIN NEW ROSS CO WEXFORD Y34 F577   SATURDAY 25th MAY 24 Tally Ho Working Dog Show and Race Day, at Ballee Playing Fields Ballymena Co Antrim BT42 2JU ( THIS SHOW IS A QUALIFER FOR THE 5 NATIONS AND MASTER Mc GRATH/MICK THE MILLER)   SUNDAY 26th MAY 24 WEST WEXFORD HARRIERS DOG SHOW CASSAGH NEW ROSS CO WEXFORD Y34 X540   SUNDAY 26th MAY 24 DWTC ANNUAL DOG SHOW MULLABRACK ROAD GILFORD CO DOWN BT63 6BP   SUNDAY 2nd JUNE 24 KILWORTH & ARAGLEN DOG SHOW FERMOY CO CORK   SATURDAY 15th JUNE 24 MEATH FOXHOUNDS CLUB DOG SHOW  CORTOWN KELLS CO MEATH A82 W7R7   SUNDAY 16th JUNE 24 KILKENNY FOX HOUNDS WORKING DOG SHOW THOMASTOWN CO KILKENNY   SUNDAY 7th July 24 THE GLENSHANE WORKING DOG SHOW AND RACEDAY MAGHERA ROAD TOBERMORE MAGHERAFELT BT45 5QE   SUNDAY 14th July 24 WEST WATERFORD HOUND AND WORKING DOG, AND FAMILY FUN DAY SHOW AT TALLOW , CO WATERFORD P51 X281   SATURDAY 27th JULY 24 BURREN WORKING DOG SHOW AND RACE DAY All proceeds to Cancer charity.. THE GREEN ROAD NEWRY CO DOWN BT34 2PT     SATURDAY 17th AUGUST 24 Tally Ho Working Dog Show and Race Day, at Ballee Playing Fields Ballymena Co Antrim BT42 2JU   SUNDAY 25th AUGUST 24 Mc GRATH LURCHER RACING CLUB,DOG SHOW AND RACEDAY BALLINBRANAGH CO CARLOW R93 K573   SUNDAY 1st SEPTEMBER 24 CLONSHIRE COUNTRY FAMILY DAY ADARE CO LIMERICK V94 HF80   Margaret Mc Stay

Mc GRATHS LURCHER RACNG CLUB REPRESENTING THE GREAT GAME FAIRS OF IRELAND QUALIFIERS FOR 2024.
FROM THE PEN OF MARGARET Mc STAY
The 5 NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR LURCHERS/WHIPPETS/TERRIES ALONG WITH THE MASTER McGRATH  AND MICK THE MILLAR  WILL TAKE PLACE AT BALLINABRANNA GALLOP,CARLOW, CO CARLOW  ON SUNDAY AUGUST 25th 2024  BY KIND PERMISSION  OF MR AJ TITTERINGTON.
 JUST A FEW  DETAILS AT THIS STAGE. 
1/ THE 5 NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIPS  IS OPEN TO EVERY CHAMPION AND RESERVE CHAMPION IN LURCHERS/WHIPPETS/TERRIERS  THAT QUALIFYS AT A SHOW THIS SUMMER.  THIS IS THE SAME FOR MASTER McGRATH
2/ WINNING CHAMPIONS MUST RECEIVE A SIGNED TICKET FROM THE SHOW ORGANISER SHOWING THE SHOW NAME/DATE AND NAME OF DOG. THIS TICKET MUST ACCOMPANY YOUR DOG ON THE  CHAMPIONSHIP DAY TO BE ABLE TO ENTER THE FINALS.
3/ THESE TICKETS WILL BE GIVEN TO ALL SHOW ORGANISER WHO WANT TO PARTAKE IN THE 5 NATIONS/MASTER McGRATH.  ON THE DAY THE MICK THE MILLAR WILL BE OPEN TO ALL HAIRY DOGS AS USUAL.
4/ MASTER McGRATH WILL BE OPEN TO ALL SMOOTH DOGS OVER 24s AND UPWARDS.
5/ 6 TICKETS WILL BE GIVEN TO SHOWS WITH SHOWING ONLY, AND 8 TICKETS TO SHOWS WHO WANT TO ENTER THE MASTER Mc GRATH.
6/ EACH TICKET WILL HAVE A NUMBER ON THE BACK. IF YOUR SHOW NEEDS THESE TICKETS PLEASE PM BIDDY Mc GRATH OR MARGARET McSTAY AND THEY WILL BE POSTED OUT TO YOU OR GIVEN TO YOU ON YOUR SHOW DAY.
7/ ALL IRELAND SHOWING AND RACING AS USUAL WILL  TAKE PLACE ON CHAMPIONSHIP DAY THE 25th AUGUST 24.
Margaret Mc Stay
 
 
 
 

ANOTHER ANNUAL TOP SHOW ON THE HORIZON FOLKS   From the Pen of Margaret Mc Stay   Saturday 27th of July 24   BURREN WORKING DOG SHOW AND RACE DAY All proceeds to Cancer Charity.. BT34 2PT County Down (Full details later)   Margaret Mc Stay

MY DOG SHOWS AND RACEDAYS  LIST SO FAR FOR 2024     SUNDAY 31st MARCH 24 AVONDHU FOX HOUNDS ANNUAL DOG SHOW   SATURDAY 11th MAY 24 CUCHULANN WORKING TERRIER CLUB DOG SHOW AND RACEDAY   SUNDAY 19th MAY 24 KILLURE WORKING TERRIER AND LURCHER CLUB DOG SHOW( PADDY DUNPHY MEMORIAL SHOW )   SATURDAY 25th MAY 24 Tally Ho Dog Show and Race Day, at Ballee Playing Fields, Ballymena   SUNDAY 26th MAY 24 DWTC ANNUAL DOG SHOW   SUNDAY 2nd JUNE  24 KILWORTH & ARAGLEN DOG SHOW   SUNDAY 16th JUNE 24 KILKENNY FOX HOUNDS WORKING DOG SHOW    SUNDAY 14th July 24 WEST WATERFORD  DOG SHOW       Margaret Mc Stay

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 9th 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