The Ulster Irish Red Setter Club held it’s Open stake at Murley Mountain which was made available by the Hamilton-Stubber family, represented on the day by their keeper, Philip Moore.The Judges were Declan O’Rourke and Alan Neill. The wind was from the same direction all day and steady at about force 2 – 3. Mostly bright with dull periods during one of which it nearly rained.
Awards:-
2nd F.T.Ch. Glynlark Mary Kate Carol Calvert’s I.R.S.B.
COM Lefanta Kiera Gerald Devine’s E.S.B. ( Guns/Judges Award)
COM Tullycroman Jack Paddy peoples E.S.D.
Jump:- Had a really heavy bit of ground, so heavy you couldn’t really see that he was knackered before he started. He stuck to his ground and hunted hard but there was little pace. Second round on slightly better ground but the lack of pace was now obvious. No third round. ( nine and a quarter hours in the car on Saturday took it’s toll )
Axl :- I thought he ran really well in the same ground that Jump had for his first round. The judges were adamant that we did to the road ( on the left ) and to this end I cut him short on the right a couple of times. This eventually bit me on the bum. Having cut him short and sent him left when he came back out to the right there was a bird behind him. Some you win………..
Judy :- First round was short and sweet. We were on the right and she cast to the right. Our brace mate ran out to the left, eventually pointed, and eventually produced a bird but ran in. Second round wasn’t as spectacular as some this year but she gave the whole thing. She handled extremely well and did very nice lines in heavy old ground.Third round was in deeper heather but she looked good and covered a lot of ground but there was no bird.
Misty :- Handled by Pete. Got the most horrific bit of ground and looked crap in it. If all chances had been taken there would have been a full card of awards but I suppose that’s a bit like ” If my aunt had balls “. The most likely winner looked like Pete Asbury’s Innistona Ribbon who’s non productive in the third round looked very positive. This is an experienced shooting dog not given to false pointing but there was nothing there.
There was some really heavy ground but had there been birds in it there would have been no complaints. It is really difficult to judge dogs when there is so much heavy ground because some dogs will get better ground and you have to balance it all up.Nice day to be out.I would have fancied Judy to handle the bird that was produced and chased on the left of our beat.An eminently winnable stake .
