The Northern Ireland Pointer Club held an Open Stake for Pointers and any variety Setter at Glarryford on Saturday 26th September 2009. We were on this ground, arguably the premier pheasant stake ground in Ireland at the invitation of The Glarryford Gun Club and the local land owners. The judges for this event were Julia and Colin Organ from England and the Steward of the Beat was Davy O’Neill. The day was dull but warm and there was the odd outbreak of sunshine in the afternoon.
Result – Lusca Happy Chappie Declan O’Rourke’s Irish Setter dog.
Sometimes it is difficult to spectate events like this and today was such a day. It’s all to do with when you feature in the draw and how much walking to and fro to get dogs you are required to do. I did see the winner’s find and several others but apparently the other dogs with finds fell by the way side. In addition I watched the second round from the causeway and saw a number of dogs fail to point pheasants that they managed to flush. As usual quite a few dogs ran hard but some these, my own included, failed to make the transition from the hill to the bog and the slightly neater work required.
Roxy.
Ran hard but wild. Had a find on a snipe but there was no gun available and when cast off again she was hard to handle. Most likely out for being out of control.
Basso.
Got just as good a bit of ground as was available but failed miserably. He went off like a rocket to the right and turned when asked but after that he hunted small beats away on the extremity of the beat and wouldn’t return to the centre.
Flake.
Flake never really got a chance on two fronts. Her brace mate had three false points. Shaun had difficulty handling her but that was explained when we found a second hematoma deep in her right ear so to all intents and purposes she was deaf.
As a paradox to yesterday which started of well and continued in similar vein the whole day this day started off slightly chaotic and continued that way for the rest of the day. Obviously one enjoys oneself most on the days when the dogs go well but there are many other days where it is nice to be out and the whole thing is enjoyable whether you are still in the event or not. This wasn’t one of those. Shaun and I even left before the end as things seemed to drag.
