The Ulster Irish Red Setter Club held an Open Stake for A/v Setter & Pointers on Murley Mountain on Sunday 16th September 2007. We were there thanks to the Hamilton-Stubber family who were represented on the day by Philip Moore their keeper. The judges were Michael Houston and Tom Dunne. The forecast that I heard on the way was for heavy rain to clear by midday and that was exactly what we got. The afternoon was dry and even sunny at times but the morning was a real stinker to the extent that the start was in doubt and during one particularly heavy squall abandonment was even considered. This moor is a wind farm with roads providing easy access, which on this occasion proved to be less than helpful, to me at least. Several large covies were seen but with the conditions, and the heavy ground, it was always going to be difficult.
Result
1st Withheld.
2nd Craigrua Lucky Jim Sheridan’s I.R.&.W. Setter bitch.
3rd Erinvale Rock Dr Steven Clark’s Irish Setter dog.
This was a typical setter day to start off and it was no surprise that they ran but the pointers also ran well. I didn’t see any dog fail to run but as usual some ran to better effect than others.
Roxy.
Second brace in heavy ground. Stuck to her work well without being awe inspiring. Was nice and flat and turned when required. Just on being asked to pick up she came on point. Not one but two hares flushed and she watched them away. No second run.
Judy.
Slightly better ground than Roxy and she set about her work with plenty of enthusiasm. Again her ground work was good and she was flat. Eventually she was feathering up by the road side, trying to pin her bird, when a car drove up and a single grouse flushed. ” ******* s****!!!!! ” No second run.
Jalad.
Delighted to be set off in heavy but even heather. He’s a big fit dog and he quartered nicely at pace and turned when required. After a good few cuts our brace mate pointed and Jalad backed.
Second round with Steven Clark’s Setter. I thought Jalad had the edge running wise and it was obvious that there was something about but it was Steven’s dog that pointed and eventually produced a snipe.
Third Round against Gerald Devine’s Lefanta Kiera (F.T.Ch.) Both dogs gave this a good go but unfortunately Jalad eventually passed Gerald’s dog on a false point and was eliminated. Asked to run with no credit to give Gerald more running time Jalad failed to point a snipe and then managed to get forward of a pair of grouse which eliminated Gerald’s dog as it also was forward of them.
Jim Sheridan doesn’t compete across the water so this award was of no use to him but Steven does and this qualifies his dog for open stakes so it was nice to see somebody do something meaningful on a day that looked distinctly unpromising at the start.
Tom Dunne spoke of his delight at being invited to judge this event and thanked his co-judge, Michael Houston for his hospitality and the competitors for their sportsmanship.
