The Northern Ireland Pointer Club started off their two days of September trials on Friday 25th September 2009 with an Open Confined Stake for Pointers, held at The Hill Farm near Glenwherry. The event was run under Kennel Club Field Trial Rules and Regulations and the judges were John Christie and Davy O’Neill. We were on this ground, The Crieve Beat, thanks to the permission of The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Lord Dunluce who was represented on the day by his keeper Lee McMenamin. When Lord Dunluce first took an interest in the potential of his grouse moor some five or six years ago the count was two and a half brace. Three years ago Lee was appointed and the work and dedication which is self evident have yielded a vast increase in grouse numbers and the syndicate were rewarded with two modest days walked up this year. The area round The Crieve is very much work in progress and we were there to conduct a count, heavily disguised as a trial.
This photo speaks for the weather. Des O’Neile (holding the eventual winner) and Alan Neill (Right) watch the proceedings.
Photo S McCormack.
We were only able to field sixteen dogs this year as Richard MacNicol’s kennel is affected by the Kennel Cough epidemic and James Coyle had to attend the hospital as an outpatient.
The first cut at the ground was covered by the first three brace of, Lagopus Yorkie (Jimmy Dalton – JD) and Glencuan Spot (Shaun McCormack – SM), Eagleshadow Whinnie’s Boy (Alan Neill – AN) and Eireceit Knock Dhu (SM) and Glenlinnhe Broom (AN) and F.T.Ch. Halkirk Heather (Laurence McAlister – LM). As is often the case, due no doubt to the arrival of cars with attendant sound effects this first cut yielded no birds. This was Glencuan Spot’s first trial and whereas she was a bit left sided she ran and hunted quite well but not well enough to make the second round.
We were into birds in the fourth brace of Bone Apart (JD) and Gerensary Poteen (LM) Only a few casts into the run Boney pointed. Laurence had difficulty holding his young dog and was obliged to restrain him thus eliminating himself. Boney’s manners were impeccable and he was picked up having produced a covey of five.
Next were Snowflake Obsidian (SM) and Oksby Basso (D.O’Neile – DO’N). Flake displayed a tendency to pull forward while Basso was much wider and flatter but as is often the case Flake eye wiped Basso. Both dogs ended up on the right side of the beat. Basso turned and remained flat but Flake bored up the beat maybe forty yards and pointed. While attempting to relocate four birds flushed and she was eliminated.
Next Brace was Gerensary Zambucca (Jon Kean – JFK) and The Boss of Innis (AN). I didn’t see this brace as I was preparing to run but neither dog made the second round. Fearn Mist (JFK) and Ballincoher Barcley (DO’N) were next. Jon’s bitch ran nice lines in broken ground and was going harder and with more purpose the longer she ran. Jalad, brought out of retirement to make up the card ran extremely well BUT, back cast on the left.
The last brace was Oxspring Roxanne (DO’N) and Gerensary Digger (AN). I didn’t see much of Alan’s dog as all the action was around Roxy. After a few casts Roxy disappeared over a low bank on the left. I walked to the bank with the judge expecting to see her half a mile away but hoping she would be on point. No Roxy! We were standing discussing what to do when six birds flushed loose. We walked in their direction but still no Roxy. Then while turning round to walk back to the other judge I spot Roxy a good hundred yards down wind on point. Two birds flushed loose and Roxy took a step. I picked her up and was surprised but pleased to be put down again. After another half a dozen casts she pointed again, this time in high heather before working on to produce four grouse and then clear her ground. At this juncture I was told that I had been eliminated for Roxy’s movement on the first find. Bad, very bad timing in my view.
After lunch seven dogs were called back for the second round. Of these Fearn Mist (JFK) again impressed with her running as did Glenlinnhe Broom (AN) and Bone Apart (JD) had a find on a single bird. The two outstanding runners were put together in an extension to the second round and whereas they both really gave it a go they were unsuccessful in their search for a bird.
In the final analysis there was only one award Bone Apart was awarded first place. This was a very pleasing result. This is only the second time that the same dog has won the two Irish breed stakes in the same year. The last one was F.T.Ch. Prince of Darkness in 1998 and now Boney, from the same stable has done it again and in the winning of this event has become a Field Trial Champion (subject to Kennel Club ratification).
Result :- F.T.Ch. Bone Apart Jimmy Dalton’s Pointer dog by Lisenaire Luke Skywalker X Exile on Main Street breeder Des O’Neile.
This was a great day. Even the draw, quite difficult with multiple handlers was completed on the first go. The weather was perfect and we got a perfect result, well for Jimmy at least.
Sue Langford presents Jimmy dalton with the W.R.Gardner Trophy for the winner of the stake.
Photo S McCormack.
