The second day of the Northern Ireland Pointer Club’s trials were held at Glarryford Gun Club’s ground at Craig’s Moss on Saturday 29th September 2007. Judges were Richard MacNicol and Ned Butler and the steward of the beat was David O’Neill. We have been using this venue for more than twenty five years and the game supply and the good (if heavy) running ground contribute to make it the best venue for pheasant stakes in Ireland. We are indebted to the Club for their support. The day was cool and dull and there was even the odd light shower but this was nearly ideal for the job in hand. I spoke to Ned Butler today to get the results as I left before the end due to parking problems and Ned was able to tell me that by the time the second round was over all the dogs still in the stake had had an opportunity at game. I was due to run in the second last brace of the first round so I saw all the action up to that. Dogs were running well and game was coming to hand in a timely fashion.
Results :-
1st Gerensary Digger Alan Neill’s pointer Dog.
2nd F.T.Ch. Lefanta Keira Gerald Davine’s English Setter Bitch.
3rd Animo et Lagopus Jimmy Dalton’s Pointer Dog.
Roxy.
Still showing a disinclination to handle Roxy set off in good style and at a good pace. She covered a fair bit of ground before coming on point but failing to produce. Cast off again she became increasingly uncontrollable but eventually pointed staunchly on the left. She was a good bit away and I could see she was steady but the bird flushed of it’s own volition but unfortunately Roxy took a small step ( well three if I tell the truth) for a dog and a giant leap out of the stake.
If you aren’t actually up with the judges you don’t see all the action so I was surprised when some of the dogs that seemed to be doing well didn’t even make it to the second round but wee things like a handler pushing the dog down with his hand can go unseen by the gallery. In the same vein as yesterday I reckon that even only shooting the birds that were pointed the bag could have been twenty birds had we been shooting, and that’s not counting the snipe that could have been shot. There were several wisps of snipe seen with four or five birds flying in close formation. Red Arrows eat your hearts out.
I am really disappointed at not having been able to witness the second round as things look very promising for a big climax. Ned assured me that the second was every bit as good as the first with the dogs in contention cementing their positions and some falling by the wayside. This is this Club’s last trial this year and once again the Hon.Secretary, Carol Calvert must be thanked for all the hard work, sometimes taken for granted, that she puts in each year.
We were disappointed that Frank McManus, our Chairman, was unable to attend due to his wife being taken into hospital suddenly. We hope she is up and about and feeling better soon.
