Last week-end we had 2 very successful Irish Kennel Club shows, and for those involved in Native Irish Breeds there was a third show. So, many dog show folk I am sure had burn out during the week. But dog show folk are very resilient and keen to get going again. We all groomed our dogs, packed the vehicles and headed to Carlow show yesterday.
Carlow show had drawn a very respectable entry of just under 1200 dogs, so secretary Noreen Clarke must have felt very pleased. We all know Noreen and her Carlow committee had been worried that the IKC shows might have reduced her Carlow entry, but the show now is long established on the dog show calender. So, many folk just regard it as their regular visit to Carlow each year and indeed the last show over the M50 toll bridge for 2010.
Carlow had invited a very good mix of well respected overseas judges coming from the UK /Europe and Irish judges, including the founding secretary of Carlow All Breed Championship Show, Des Kavanagh, now more familiar to us on TV speaking on behalf of the Psychiatric Irish Nurses Association.
As exhibitors entered the Carlow Hurling Club grounds, heavy clouds could be seen in the sky and unfortunately during the day we did have a few showers, but lucky nothing so bad as to interfere with judging.
We heard on arriving some exhibitors had being arriving at the venue from about 5.30 yesterday morning, many coming directly off the ferry’s from the UK. So by 8am the 2 perimiter around the showground was already chock-a-block with vehicles and tents. There was still plenty of parking available on the hill, but exhibitors had to find additional tenting space, most certainly essential, with the prospect of showers hanging around.
The day seemed to go fast yesterday and by about 5.30 pm all the groups had been completed and it was time for the 10 dogs to assemble in the Best in Show ring for Mrs H Salmon -Wilson to make her choice for BIS. After careful assessment of all the beautiful dogs presented to her, the BIS rosette was handed to an overjoyed Monica Boardman, who was handling her and her Mother Mag’s always immaculately presented Multi BIS-winning American Cocker, ShCh/GBCh/AmCh/IntCh San Jo’s Born to Party, winner earlier of group 8. Reilly is really a dog of a life-time and a dream to own for Monica and Mags, who over the past 30 years have owned and campaigned some top winning dogs of various breeds, and the whole Boardman family have been wonderful supporters of dog showing in Ireland. Indeed Monica was one of our very first top winning junior handlers. Reilly won the Gundog Group at Crufts 2008, top winning show dog in Ireland 2009 and to-day was his 13th BIS. Well done to the Boardman family. It must be celebration time in Portrane this week-end once again.
Runner up spot was awarded to the lovely free moving Group 6 winning Dalmatian from Longford Mrs GL Pavey’s Ch The King Of The Fells Over Granardial, handled by Seamus Gettings.
So another Carlow show is over, I am sure Noreen Clarke and her team hope to see you all again next year.
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