The Ulster Irish Red Setter Club held an Open Stake for Any Variety Setters & Pointers on Sunday 4th October 2009. The venue was Murley Mountain near Fivemiletown Co Tyrone and the ground was provided by the Hamilton-Stubber family who were represented on the day by Philip Moore. The trial was governed by Kennel Club Field Trial Rules and Regulations and the judges were Charlie Neeson and Alan Neill.
We started off in light drifting mist but by the afternoon there was bright sunshine but for other than those who were walking it was cool.
Birds showed regularly throughout the day, snipe, grouse and pheasant all being made use of. Many dogs hunted well and overall the ground work was of a higher quality than the previous event.
Result :-
1st F.T.Ch. Lusca Happy Chappie Declan O’Rourke’s Irish Setter dog.
2nd Stanedge Bracken Gerald Devine’s English Setter dog.
3rd Gortenreigh Apache of Glynlark Carol Calvert’s English Setter dog.
4th Shinlogue Fion Davy O’Neill’s Irish Setter dog.
COM’s :-
Int.F.T.Ch. Craigrua Osprey Des Linton’s Irish Red & White Setter dog.
Glynlark Aramis Davy O’Neill’s Irish Setter dog
F.T.Ch. Stanedge Brave Gerald Devine’s English Setter dog.
Chris.
Chris was the nearest thing I had to a fit dog. He ran well in the first round running wide, competing with the opposition and giving it a real go. He didn’t take much handling. He backed to command, just, when Desi Linton’s dog pointed and made the second round. Against another of Desi’s dogs in the second round they both pointed the same bird from different angles but when it flushed loose the big bugger went after it thereby excluding himself.
Overall this was a trial of some merit but as always there were some points discussed in detail after the event. Some times you are left thinking “Did I see what I thought I saw or am I imagining it?” This was such a day, but then you are never far from controversy at a Pointer & Setter Trial.
It’s as well that Declan is judging next Saturday or the bugger might well win that one too.
