West Wexford Harriers Annual Hound and Working Dog Show Sunday 27th June 2021

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West Wexford Harriers Annual Hound and Working Dog  Show Sunday 27^th June 2021

Woke up Sunday morning with the dawn chorus, bright eyed and bushy tailed. Yes, the day had finally arrived for the West Wexford Harriers Hound & Working Dog Show at Cassagh, New Ross, Co Wexford. 

As our good friend Linzi Gardiner Magill and her famous doggy father Earl Gardiner had invited John and myself to travel with them, very soon we were on our way down the motorway to this beautiful part of the country. As we drove through Slaney Valley enroute to our destination I have never witnessed scenery so beautiful.

We arrived at the venue at approximately 12.30noon, and at that time, we were very lucky to get a parking place. The field was filled to capacity with dogs, trailers, families, burger stand, and stalls, and all glad to be out of the dark dreary days of winter to get back to the summer sport we all love.  The venue was superb and the atmosphere electric.  

There were sportsmen and women from North and South of the border, and all out for a great days sportsmanship and maybe take home a trophy or two with them.

As I walked around the field as usual snapping every dog and everybody in sight on my mobile, I met up with some lovely people I had not seen for a long time. Also some very sad moments listening to conversations about relatives who passed away during the last 2 years in these terrible times. 

Time passes so quickly, and very soon it was show time.

Here are the Showing Results ( Courtesy of Jade Dunphy )

Champion Pet - Grainne Keeling

Champion Lurcher Pup - Cian Kehoe

Champion Whippet pup- Charmain O’Grady

Champion terrier pup- Jed Donagh

Champion Whippet

Chrissy  Decourcy  with  Luna

Champion Terrier 

Dermot Haughney with Molly

Champion Lurcher 

David Dickinson

Champion Hound

Overall Joint Show Champions and Best in Show

David Dickinson with his winning Lurcher

Gentleman with the beautiful Hound

There was a very poignant moment at the show when Anthony Dunphys lovely family came out on the day to present the Anthony Dunphy Memorial Cup to Dermot Haughney winner of Champion Terrier with Molly. What a way to keep the memory of Anthony alive in the doggie world.

As usual the Raffle generated a lot of excitement and fun in the field. I was lucky to win 2 bottles of wine. There were some great prizes in the raffle, and some happy campers went home with some lovely prizes.

And Finally, a big thank you to the judges :

Terrier Judge- Wesley Cole

Lurcher Judge- JP OHagan

Whippet Judge- John Smullen

Hound Judge- Don O’Donnell

Judging is not an easy task, but you all carried out your remit to perfection.

And Finally, Finally, I always leave the best to last. I must thank the West Wexford Harriers, Hound and Working Dog club for a most welcoming, enjoyable and relaxing day at Cassagh last Sunday. A special word of thanks to Aine O Brien, who I am sure had many sleepless nights , Pat and Mary Dunphy, Jade Dunphy, and all the organising committee for all your hard work, hospitality and commitment shown to us all on the day.

I know we travelled down from the North of Ireland and it took 3hrs and 32mins to get there, but believe me it was well worth it. You ran a top class show and this memory will be etched on my mind for months ahead, and hopefully God willing we will be back again in Cassagh in 2022 for more of the same.

Margaret Mc Stay