Ireland Ni Country Sports Fair At Scarvagh House /gilford Lurcher,terrier,whippet Dog Show 25Th/26Th May 16

[appleblossom 691]

Gilford Lurcher, Terrier, Whippet Show and Raceday, at the NI Country Sports Fair Scarvagh House, Scarva, Saturday 28^th May and Sunday 29^th May 16.

 

As Saturday morning arrived in our household, with dogs and trailer loaded up, we headed for Scarvagh House, and the NI Country Fair. Scarvagh House with its 340 Acres of beautiful landscapes, lies between the rolling hillsides of Counties Armagh and Down, and is blessed with the grandeur of wildlife, stunning scenery, and all the trappings that goes with a magnificent sprawling country estate.

 

 

 

This stunning venue was the home for the 2^nd year running of the NI Country Sports Fair. The Fair celebrates country sports and country pursuits, from gun dog tests, Lurcher, Terrier and Whippet showing and racing, Ferretts, Archery, Clay pigeon shooting and many more activities too numerous to mention.

 

 

As we came into view of the fair, it was evident we were not going to be disappointed. The sound of music was wafting through the countryside, with an abundance of good weather, and the atmosphere was electric.

 

 

On arrival in the field, we acquired excellent ringside parking on both days, and after walking the dogs and making them comfortable, we headed up to the Fair for some breakfast, and of course some retail therapy from the many stands in the brilliant sunshine. By 11.30am on both days the fair was full to capacity with families and their Canine friends enjoying all the fun of the fair.

 

 

 

Our first stop was Charlie Keenans stand, all full of Country Sports wear, and business booming for Charlie on the day. Steven Smyth of the Barbour Coat Stand waved us in, as we passed by. What a lovely man, and a great conversationalist. Field and Stream, Andrea Cowans stand was crowded, and we got a very warm welcome and some photographs from her gentleman father Ivor. What a lovely man.

 

 

As we strolled among the vast amount of feet on the ground, we stopped off at Out Door Experience stand, Portdown, and had a chat with our friend and proprietor Richard Caddell. What a great business man. Business was brisk for Richard on Saturday and Sunday, with everything you could ask for on his Country Sports attire stand. Again, we left some of our hard earned cash on this stand.

 

 

One thing that struck me most at this Country Sports Fair was the way the children were catered for. There were amusements with all the fun of the fair for the little people. I am sure there were some very sleepy heads on Saturday and Sunday night.

 

 

Davy Downey was there with his Ferret racing and showing, and certainly brought a lot fun, excitement and laughter to young and old. I wish I was not afraid of Ferretts.

 

 

I met up with some lovely Canine people and their families on both days , all out for a days enjoyment. Jenny OMeara, hubby and dogs travelled all the way from Tipperary, as did Karen and Peter Cummins travel from Carlow. I also had a chat with Declan Corr and his family, and Lauren Elizabeth and partner and their gorgeous young Lurcher pup. Its these good Canine people that make the fairs so successful and family orientated.

 

Time flies bye so quickly when you are enjoying youself. Very soon its was time to make our way back down to the Dog show. The racing started at approximately 12.30pm, followed by the showing, as did the Racing on Sunday.

 

 

 

There was a big turnout of real smashing top dogs both in the showing and racing, to many to mention. Jed Donagh with Shadow and Beauty, Joe Leonard was there with” Not Scared and Renaldo”, and Billy Craig was there with the “Cuckoo, Bernard and, Carlow “. These lot are a force to be reckoned with. Susan Mc Cann, Leeroy Mc Cullagh and Barry Chambers/Janet Duke, and Graham Fyffe, was also there with their prized Whippets in mint condition.

 

Here are some random Showing and Overall Results.

 

Saturday 25^th June 16

 

Best smooth under 23”

Billy Craig with Bernard

Best under 12” Terrier

Billy Craig with Carlow

 

Whippet Pup

Janet Duke with Snake

 

Whippet Pairs

Tracy Gill with Ash/Oscar

 

**A special mention to Ryan Mc Sorley with Finn **

 

***Overall Whippet Champion

Graham Fyffe with Boss

 

***Overall Champion Lurcher

Cloe Woods with Rusty

 

***Overall Champion Terrier

Chris Mc Ferron

 

***Overall Champion Pup

Peter Morgan

 

****Overall Champion and Best in Show went to :**

Chris Mc Ferron with his winning Terrier.

 

 

A Big congratulations to Chris and all the rest of the worthy winners, and everyone who took part on both days

 

 

Racing Results

Over 23” Jed Donagh with Beauty

Under 23” Joe Leonard with Renaldo

 

Whippets

Susan Mc Cann with Bella

 

Terriers

Jimmy Black

 

Sunday 26^th June

 

Ferrett Showing :

 

Graham Fyffe with Jill

Reserve

Kirsty Fyffe with BB

 

 

Ferrett Racing

Terry Turkington Skinner

Reserve

Rose Mc Coy with Conker

 

 

Sunday Racing Results

 

Simulated Lurcher

Jed Donagh with Shadow

 

Simulated Whippet

Janet Duke with Finlay

 

 

Straight Racing

 

Over 23” Nicky Smith with Scooby

 

Under 23” Joe Leonard with Not Scared

 

Whippet Straight Racing

Susan/Ernie Mc Cann with Bella

 

 

And Finally, may I take this opportunity to thank the Judges of the day, Steven Smith/Graham Brennan/Aaron Beattie for a job well done.

Judging is not an easy task, but you all carried out your duties to perfection and many thanks for that. Bluebell was there with her camera, and I also took a few photographs myself.

 

 

A lot of hard work and planning went into organising this brilliant Fair, dog show and Race day at Scarva House. This would not of been possible if it were not for three very important people, Ian Davison , Justin Hill, Ben Davison, and their brilliant band of helpers, and all the people in the background that worked so hard to make this Fair, Dog show and Race days so successful. Ian, Justin and Ben, the Dog Show and Race Days was a credit to you all. It was successful, and ran like clockwork and a top class venue. Excellent team work .

 

 

And Finally,Finally, last but not least, Gillian and Derek Lutton, directors of the NI Country Sports Fair, you produced another brilliant and successful Country Sports Fair in a top of the range venue, a real credit to you and your team. All the hard work and sleepless nights paid off, and many thanks for your kindness and hospitality to John and myself on the day, and long may it continue. I am already looking forward to more of the same next year.

 

 

Margaret Mc Stay

Edited June 2, 2016 by appleblossom