Ireland Dessie Mackins Christmas Dog Show yesterday Saturday 22nd December 2012

[appleblossom 691]

Situated on the main Banbridge to Portadown Road in Northern Ireland, Halls Mill Inn was the venue yesterday Saturday 22^nd December 2012 for Dessie Mackens Christmas Show. And what a day of Christmas cheer that was. As we were leaving the house to go to the show, the heavens opened and the rain lashed down, but as we got to the show venue, the rain suddenly stopped and did not start again to we were on our way home .

 

 

There was a big turnout yesterday at the Christmas show. From ten o clock onwards cars and trailers began to converge on the car park of Halls Mills, loaded up with dogs and families in tow, just there for a pre Christmas day out at the dog show.

 

 

This was what we needed. A break from shopping for presents, and all the razzmatazz that goes with the festive season. Dessie , you done it again this year. You certainly know how to bring some festive happiness into our lives in the dark dreary and in some cases lonesome days leading up to Christmas day and many thanks for that. Christmas is full of memories, and this was a day release from all our cares and tribulations.

 

The show commenced at 1.00pm. Here are some results from yesterdays show.

 

Childrens Class:

Kaylee love

Graham Meek (junior)

Jay Reid

Jodie Ogle

 

All of these little people were winners. It was so nice to see the smiles on their little faces. Santa has told me he will definitely be calling to these 4 homes tomorrow night. Well done to all, you made your parents very proud of you. Some sleepy heads last night .

 

Whippet Pups

 

1/ Paul Reynolds

2/ John Shaw

3/ Jason Dunwoody

4/ Chontelle Mc Meekin

 

Terrier Pups

 

1/ Kaylee Love

2/ Tracy Gill

 

Lurcher Pups

 

1/ Michael Quinn

2/ John Shaw

3/ Fiona Devlin

 

Overall Puppy Champion went to Paul Reynolds. Congratulations and well done Paul

 

Terriers

 

Lakeland Dog

 

1/ John Heslip

 

Patterdale Bitch

 

1/ John Heslip with Spook

 

Jack Russell

 

1/ Janet Duke

2/ Kaylee Love

 

Overall Terrier Champion went to :

 

Janet Duke with George

 

Reserve Champion

 

Charlene Heslip with Rossi

 

Congratulations to Janet and Charlene and well done.

 

 

Strong Dogs

 

1/ Stewardie Moore

 

English Bull

 

1/ John Barry

 

 

Congratulations to Stewartie and John, and well done.

 

 

 

Whippets

 

Whippet Dog

 

1/ Tracy Gill with Finlay

2/ Chrissy Loughran with Mango

3/ Leanne Hawthorne with Prince

 

Whippet Bitch

 

1/ John Mc Stay

2/ Michelle Rafferty

3/ Janet Duke

 

Working Whippet

 

1/ Mickey Quinn

2/ John Shaw

3/ Gary Kane

 

Whippet Pairs

 

1/ John Mc Stay

 

Overall Whippet Champion

 

Tracy Gill with Finlay

 

Reserve Champion

 

John Mc Stay with Patch

 

Congratulations to Tracy and John and well done.

 

 

Lurchers

 

Smooth Under 23

 

1/ Steven Dummigan

2/ Charlene Rafferty

3/ Chrissy Loughran

 

Smooth Over 23

 

1/ Fiona Devlin with Maverick

2/ Michelle Rafferty

3/ Chris Angus

 

Rough Under 23

 

1/ Chrissy Loughran

2/ Lynn Murray

 

Rough Over 23”

 

1/ Glen Doherty

2/ John Shaw

 

Collie Cross

 

1/ Steven Dummigan

2/ Michelle Rafferty

3/ Billy Craig

 

Hare Class

 

1/ Chontelle Mc Meekin

2/ Alex Jowett

3/ John Shaw

4/ Charlene Rafferty

 

Terrier Cross Lurcher

 

1/ Mickey Quinn

2/ Chris Angus

3/ Charlene Rafferty

 

Overall Lurcher Champion

 

Fiona Devlin with Maverick

 

Reserve Champion

 

Glen Doherty

 

Congratulations to Fiona and Glen and well done.

 

 

Overall Show Champion went to :

 

Janet Duke with her beautiful Jack Russell Dog George. A big Congratulations Janet and well done.

 

There were two special accolades awarded at Dessies show this year, and this has set a precident for every year going forward.

 

The First award was for Dog of the year 2012. This accolade went to Fiona Devlins winning dog “ Maverick” a very deserving winner. Fiona was a very proud lady going home yesterday evening. Congratulations Fiona. Maverick is a beautiful dog, and may he continue winning in 2013. Maverick has been a shinning light at all the shows in 2012, and has won many beautiful trophies. Well done Maverick and Fiona.

 

The second accolade was for “ Field and Country Sports Person of the Year 2012” And guess who this was awarded to, none other than my good self. Well when I did not have a heart attack at that moment when my name was called out, I never will. I just could not believe it. I am deeply honoured to think that the Field and Country Sports people out there feel I am worthy of this great title. I really enjoy the shows, meeting the show organisers, show folk and their lovely families. I have had many great years enjoyment at all of the shows up and down the country and have met so many lovely people on the way, and have made so many good friends for life. I enjoy doing the write ups, advertising, and interviews, along with showing our Whippets. Dogs are our life and always has been for all of our married life. It is just a labour of love for me, and I will continue to do my best at all times for every club and Game Fair up and down the country in 2013. From the bottom of my heart I thank you all, and especially Dessie Mackin for presenting me with the award and a very large Ballydougan Christmas Hamper. Many thanks Dessie for that, it was so much appreciated.

 

And finally, many thanks to the Judges on the day, Terri Mc Vitty, Graham Meek, and Terence Metcalfe for the wonderful but difficult job you all carried out in a very professional manner. You were firm, but very fair in every way. Fiona Devlin took some photographs, and hopefully she will have them all up shortly.

I cannot forget the chief organiser of the Christmas show Dessie Mackin and his very efficient band of helpers. Dessie, it was a brilliant show, full of festivities and Christmas cheer. Christmas would not be the same without your show. Many thanks Dessie for a great days excitement and fun of which we are all truly greatful.

 

 

And Finally, Finally may I take this opportunity of wishing all you good Canine folk, hunters, and Lampers North and South of the border, and further afield, and all the little people who are waiting for Santa to call, a very Happy and Holy Christmas with your families, and a very prosperous New Year, and I look forward to meeting up with you all again at the shows in 2013.

 

Margaret Mc Stay

Edited December 26, 2012 by appleblossom

[Furittus 35]

Congratulations Margaret, very well deserved, keep up the good work on promoting our beloved sport, have a happy, healthy Christmas and New Year.

[Themaverick 110]

Margaret mcStay was awarded feildsports personality of the year... well done to her!

Edited December 26, 2012 by Themaverick

[Themaverick 110]

Maverick was award dog of the year!

Edited December 26, 2012 by Themaverick

[appleblossom 691]

Thanks Fiona, lovely photographs. Maverick was a well deserved winner of his award, and a beautiful dog.

[tomq 30]

well done all i heard it was a great show

[appleblossom 691]

Yes Tom a great day was had by all

[MOO 730]

very strange having a working dog show at this time of year

[Guest thebigdog]

very strange having a working dog show at this time of year

 

more a bag chasing unmarked greyhound show.