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All roads led to the Sporting Whippet Club NI show last Sunday at Dunsilly race track Co Antrim. This was certainly a show with a difference. I arrived in the field at 11.30am with dogs and husband in tow. Immediately I knew there was something up. You could taste the welcoming astrosphere in the beautiful Antrim air, flowing over from them wee blue hills into the homely and comfortable surroundings of lovely Dunsilly. Grading started at 12.30. At this stage the field was buzzing with excitement, as the Chairman and her wonderful committee announced they were going to have a barbeque during the show all free of charge to everyone in the field. The chairman expressed that the barbeque was a big thank you to all the clubs supporters , members , and committee who loyally attended the Sporting Whippet Shows all during the year. As it was the last show of the season, the club felt it would be nice to be able to give something back to all their supporters to show their appreciation, and boy did they do that in style.
As soon as the grading was finished, Graham Meek rolled up his sleeves and lit up the barbeque. Paul Reynolds and his helper flew by me in the field en route to Graham Meek with boxes of burgers and sausages all kindly sponsored by Paul himself from his new Fish and Chip shop “ Chief Direct “ Lurgan. At the same time the wonderful women of the committe, set up the tables beside the barbeque, and out came every kind of salads you could name, all made and prepared by the same women, the flagons of refreshments were placed on the tables along side a magnificent iced cake, and the feast began. And what a feast that was. This was such a surprise, and a credit to the Sporting Whippet Club NI. A big thank you from everybody in the field. It was so much appreciated. We will look back with fond memories in the long dark days of winter on this very happy occasion.
The showing started when our Bellies were full. There was a very large turn out of Whippets on this occasion. A big congratulations to Graham Meek who won the Supreme Champion of Champions with his beautiful Whippet Merlin. Also congratulations to the winners : Lucy Snowden (Child Handler) Paul Davison with Coisty, lovely dog, Paul Reynolds with Chieftan, his dog is my favourite, what a shower. Gary Close with Tess and also Best in Show ( a force to be reckoned with) And of course not forgetting Mickey Quinn with Buster., and also reserve best in show . Well done Mickey. Son Michael will be jealous. It is the reverse this week, Michael won all around him last week. ( Father & Son ) Watch that auld fellow Michael , he is catching up on you. Lady luck also shone on our household as well, with our beautiful Whippet “Goldie” winning the members class, and “ Silver” who has a room full of trophies at home, our prize Whippet came 2nd in the Whippet Bitch Class. It was definitely the icing on the cake for both of us on the day. Big John was smiling from ear to ear. Congratulations to all the other winners in the showing and also to the judges Janet Duke and Kieron Young, on the day done a great job. As usual the racing was star quality. Congratulations to Eddie & Liz Mc Kinistry who won the A grade with Cody and Buddy. Excellent dogs .Eddie and Liz also won the puppy race with Lucy, Lizs wee baby. B grade Phillipa Robinson with Dochas. This lady travels miles by train with her dogs to get to the Whippet shows. A well deserved win, and a very dedicated follower. C Grade Gareth Mc Loughlin. Gareth a well deserved win. Congratulations to all the other racing winners, not forgetting our good friend Anne Forsythe and Eamon Feeley who got 2nd in the puppy race with her wee baby pup Jet. Well done Anne and Eamon. Tracy has put up a full list of winners on K9. She will definitely not leave anybody out. A brilliant secretary.
And Finally, our resident photographer “Bluebell” was in attendance on the day, snapping away when we least expected it. We enjoyed your companionship and craic Deidre. Big John is still rubbing the side of his face from that big hug you gave him. It is bad for his heart at his age. After the show was over and all the children were gone home and tucked up in their beds, we all sat down together and had a few liquid refreshments, and reminisced of happenings during this years most successful season. May I take this opportunity to thank the Chairman( Janet Duke ) and her dedicated committee, for all their hard work and sleepless nights to make these shows happen, and for making them so successful and memorable. Already looking forward to next years shows.
Margaret Mc Stay
As soon as the grading was finished, Graham Meek rolled up his sleeves and lit up the barbeque. Paul Reynolds and his helper flew by me in the field en route to Graham Meek with boxes of burgers and sausages all kindly sponsored by Paul himself from his new Fish and Chip shop “ Chief Direct “ Lurgan. At the same time the wonderful women of the committe, set up the tables beside the barbeque, and out came every kind of salads you could name, all made and prepared by the same women, the flagons of refreshments were placed on the tables along side a magnificent iced cake, and the feast began. And what a feast that was. This was such a surprise, and a credit to the Sporting Whippet Club NI. A big thank you from everybody in the field. It was so much appreciated. We will look back with fond memories in the long dark days of winter on this very happy occasion.
The showing started when our Bellies were full. There was a very large turn out of Whippets on this occasion. A big congratulations to Graham Meek who won the Supreme Champion of Champions with his beautiful Whippet Merlin. Also congratulations to the winners : Lucy Snowden (Child Handler) Paul Davison with Coisty, lovely dog, Paul Reynolds with Chieftan, his dog is my favourite, what a shower. Gary Close with Tess and also Best in Show ( a force to be reckoned with) And of course not forgetting Mickey Quinn with Buster., and also reserve best in show . Well done Mickey. Son Michael will be jealous. It is the reverse this week, Michael won all around him last week. ( Father & Son ) Watch that auld fellow Michael , he is catching up on you. Lady luck also shone on our household as well, with our beautiful Whippet “Goldie” winning the members class, and “ Silver” who has a room full of trophies at home, our prize Whippet came 2nd in the Whippet Bitch Class. It was definitely the icing on the cake for both of us on the day. Big John was smiling from ear to ear. Congratulations to all the other winners in the showing and also to the judges Janet Duke and Kieron Young, on the day done a great job. As usual the racing was star quality. Congratulations to Eddie & Liz Mc Kinistry who won the A grade with Cody and Buddy. Excellent dogs .Eddie and Liz also won the puppy race with Lucy, Lizs wee baby. B grade Phillipa Robinson with Dochas. This lady travels miles by train with her dogs to get to the Whippet shows. A well deserved win, and a very dedicated follower. C Grade Gareth Mc Loughlin. Gareth a well deserved win. Congratulations to all the other racing winners, not forgetting our good friend Anne Forsythe and Eamon Feeley who got 2nd in the puppy race with her wee baby pup Jet. Well done Anne and Eamon. Tracy has put up a full list of winners on K9. She will definitely not leave anybody out. A brilliant secretary.
And Finally, our resident photographer “Bluebell” was in attendance on the day, snapping away when we least expected it. We enjoyed your companionship and craic Deidre. Big John is still rubbing the side of his face from that big hug you gave him. It is bad for his heart at his age. After the show was over and all the children were gone home and tucked up in their beds, we all sat down together and had a few liquid refreshments, and reminisced of happenings during this years most successful season. May I take this opportunity to thank the Chairman( Janet Duke ) and her dedicated committee, for all their hard work and sleepless nights to make these shows happen, and for making them so successful and memorable. Already looking forward to next years shows.
Margaret Mc Stay
