Review of Autumn Pointer and Setter Trials - By Hugh Brady

Review of Pointer and Setter Field Trials - Autumn 2020

Joan McGillycuddy’s FTCh (Snipe Ch) Ballydavid Gaelforce of the Kingdom.

One of the fascinations of the High pressure chases low pressure. In sport of pointers and setters is the fourth century BC, Aristotle that most of the events are held declared the “nature abhors a vacuum” in beautiful places usually at altitude! and this seems to be the way the world Therefore, most competitors would stays at equilibrium. make decent meteorologists and can Readers will be familiar that field usually predict rain, fog, sleet or other trials for pointers and setters were stood innumerable weather conditions that are down in March when it became clear never perfect for our sport. that the pandemic had reaches our

We usually can see a swirl in the shores. With the restrictions since then, clouds from the height of the mountains, and foreign travel not encouraged, the where warm air and cold air dance annual pilgrimage to Great Britain for around each other rather than grouse counting did not materialise. The combining. This is common in Ireland, implication of this meant that dogs where with the Atlantic from the west could not have the opportunity to work cause our changeable weather. They on game or gain fitness, prior to the start form a boundary between the cold polar of the trials on August 1st. air from the north and the warm air With the loss of grouse counting in coming from the south. These spirals 2020, it meant that younger dogs lost a cause rapid changes between the critical opportunity to work on grouse, familiar wind, rain and sun as the arms where they are plentiful. It is a defining spiral past. time for many young dogs. Some

The other things adored by careers may never start. The average competitors is tea! By pouring milk into age of dogs competing at field trials is tea and with a quick stir, there is a now much higher than the past, meaning familiar swirl, a spiral of two fluids the standard of trials is higher as more circling each other barely touching with field trial champions continue to similar arms before eventually merging. compete. If you are lucky enough to have a good dog, the dog will compete over a long career. Three of the four dogs in the awards in the recent Irish grouse championship were over 6 ½ years old while the winning dog was 8 ½ years old. It is also true that levels of husbandry, nutrition and care have improved dramatically over my time in field trials, which means that dogs can have a more prolonged career at the highest level as they are carefully managed.

The field trials for pointers and setters did get a green light to proceed, albeit with additional safety measures and strict protocols. The fact that pointer and setter field trials venues are on top of mountains where social distancing is the norm, no doubt supported this decision.

An excellent stake with plenty of grouse

The Irish Red Setter club, the oldest existing club in Ireland, traditionally begins the calendar with its trials on August 1st and 2nd. Expectations were low, given the lack of opportunity for

fitness and bird work. Both days were set in Kilchreest, county Galway with the international breed stake initiating proceedings. Judged by Pat Dooley and Kieran Walsh, the standard surprised many and with a good entry of keen handlers, an excellent stake with plenty of grouse followed with a full set of awards.

The winner was Aidan Dunne’s FTCh (Snipe Ch) Blackstairs Behenny with second to Joan McGillycuddy’s FTCh Ballydavid Gaelforce of the Kingdom and third place to local man Joe Tannion’s FTCh Mountbay da Vinci and reserve to Hugh Brady’s FTCh (Snipe Ch) Malstabodarna Embla of Ballydavid. In my view, it was the best red setter breed stake since 1986 when it was held in Lord Rossmore’s estate in Monaghan where Jack Nash’s Irish setter Moanruad Quiva took the honours on both days.

Dogs seemed fresh and enthusiastic and perhaps it is a coincidence that dogs were not grouse counting for in Britain in the weeks before the trials. The following day was the second day of the Irish Red setter clubs summer schedule. Judged by Colin Forde, Alan Bartley and Paraig Kiely, birds were evasive all day but in the third round the opportunity was taken giving the win to Aidan Dunne’s Maodhog Feochadan.

The next scheduled events involved Kildare, Laois and Offaly, which in local lockdown meant that your scribe was not in attendance. The English setter club stake did proceed but there were no awards while Cill Dara unfortunately had to cancel. On the 22nd August, the Irish pointer breed stake went ahead.

Judged by Jim Sheridan and Ollie Kelly, the winner was newcomer, Peter Gorman’s ArdnaGrath Gos who had an excellent performance. Strabane’s Michael Houston was second and third with International FTCh Ardclinis Francie Frank and Koram Kendall respectively.

Cashel field trials had to cancel its trial in Kinnity, county Offaly due to local lockdown restrictions. The Irish Championship on 29th and 30th August was postponed till the 19th and 20th September, but more of this anon.

In the Wicklow Mountains

The Irish red and white open stake took place in the Wicklow mountains in the view of the Sugarloaf. Judged by Aidan Dunne and Jason Benson the winner was Jim Crotty’s liver and white pointer Brackbawn Thunder ahead of Jim Sheridan’s Irish red and white setter FTCh Craigrua Devin. A warm day with a dry breeze, dogs showed their abilities with some strong performances throughout.

The next day also in the Wicklow mountains, being the re-scheduled Irish pointer club open stake. Judged by Jim Crotty and Anthony Mulhall, there were some excellent there was some opportunities on grouse but not taken. The winner was Hugh Brady’s Irish setter Ballydavid The Morrigan with an excellent award on grouse.

The following weekend of 12th September, the circuit moved to the beautiful Cut, which is part of the Slieve Bloom National Parks. Judged by Aidan Dunne, Larry Quinn and Sean Hogan, birds initially proved elusive, however in the second round, on the sunny side of the mountain, some good dog work followed. The winner was Jim Crotty’s pointer dog Brackbawn Thunder, this win making him a field trial champion. Jim is one of an exclusive club having handled champions in both Irish setters and English pointers. Second place and also excellent was Joan McGillycuddy’s

Paraig Kiely’s FTCh Ballinahemmy Rose was the most stylish dog of Day 1 of the Irish Championship.

FTCh Ballydavid Gaelforce of the Kingdom with third place to Pat Reape’s FTCh Ballinahemmy Mike. The next day was the Irish Red & White setter breed stake in Wicklow. While a small entry, there were some very good dogs. The winner was Ray Monroe’s FTCh Rosie Jim with second to his other dog Craigrua Hardy.

The Irish Championship

The re-scheduled Irish Championship took place and great credit for the agility of the Officers to be able to run it at short notice, particularly secretaries Maeve Waters, Christy Davitt and Chairman Michael Houston. With some withdrawals, a significantly smaller number than normal went to post being 31dogs rather than the usual 50 dogs. Judged by Hugh Brady, Kieran Walsh and Anthony Mulhall, all on their third time judging this most prestigious stake.

As was the trend this year, the first day of the championship, birds did not oblige and just one dog carried a find into the second day. There were some strong performances with most stylish dog going to Paraig Kiely’s Irish setter FTCh Ballinahemmy Rose. After the second round of nine and a half brace, birds were still not obliging and some opportunities were not seized.

The highlight of this round and indeed the run of the championship was the brace of Mark Adams’ Ballydavid Spitfire and Alan Bartley’s Ballinahemmy Pretty Bell who produced a run that will live long in the memory of those that witnessed it. A further seven and a half brace were called for the third round and Maeve Waters Irish setter Blackstairs Tess had a wonderful find on a covey of grouse.

In the next brace, Mark Adams’ Irish setter FTCh Ballydavid Spitfire added to his credentials with some lovely work ultimately producing a covey of grouse. Pat Reape’s FTCh Ballinahemmy Mike, handled by Alan Bartley, was found on the extreme left, holding firm before producing his birds. Not to be undone, Alan Bartley’s impressive Ballinahemmy Pretty Bell produced birds at the end of her thirdround run. The penultimate brace produced a joint find for Aidan Dunne’s FTCh Maodhog Feochadan and Ray O’Dwyer’s Sheantullagh Bolt. A beer dog (a dog with no interest left in the trial) was called in to run with Ger Devine’s bye dog to finish this round.

An extension to the third round was called for one brace of dogs namely Jim Sheridan’s excellent FTCh Craigrua Devin and last year’s winner Alan Bartley’s FTCh Lisduvoge Tyson. There was no further excitement so the judges went into conclave to consider their position. The winner was announced as Mark Adams Ballydavid Spitfire who now also gained the title of International FTCh. Second place was Maeve Waters Irish setter Blackstairs Tess, who gained her FTCh status. Third was Aidan Dunne’s FTCh Maodhog Feochadan, who also won most stylish Irish setter and Best young dog and reserve to previous championship winner, Pat Reape’s

Ballymena’s Mark Adams with International FTCh Ballydavid Spitfire winner of the 62nd Irish Championship in Wicklow. FTCh Ballinahemmy Mike. Certificates of Merits were awarded to Alan Bartley’s Irish setter Ballinahemmy Pretty Bell and Ray O’Dwyer’s Sheantullagh Bolt. This concluded an excellent Irish championship, certainly the best that I have judged.

The Connaught field trial club open stake on grouse was held in Kilchreest under judges Christy Davitt and Alan Bartley. Autumnal weather and a decent breeze made for almost ideal conditions where game was supplied through both grouse and snipe. Autumnal weather being summer in the sun and winter in the cold. Loughrea lake glistened on one side of the hill, while the extremely flat plains of Galway allowed visibility as far as Galway Bay and further to the Atlantic Ocean. A lot of ground was covered over three energy sapping rounds with a full set of awards being announced. An extension to the third round was held with David Bell’s Irish setter Sheemel Dream and Jim Crotty’s pointer Wildfield Highlander.

The winner was Joan McGillycuddy’s FTCh (Snipe Ch) Ballydavid Gaelforce of the Kingdom who became a Snipe champion to add to her FTCH status. Second award was to Jim Crotty’s pointer FTCh Brackbawn Thunder. Hugh Brady’s Irish setter in third and Joe O’Sullivan’s Gardenfield Rena in fourth. All dogs were graded excellent. The following days Cill Dara field trial was cancelled.

Beet trials are traditional in Autumn and the Irish Pointer club return annually to Athy in the county of Kildare. The open stake yielded no awards due to the elusive nature of wild pheasants in sugar beet though best pointer of the day was to Pat Dooley’s Raigmore Sirocco. Other dogs to impress were Pat Rohan’s exciting young liver and white pointer Nas na Riogh.

The following day was the breed stake and despite some chances there were no awards. The English setter clubs open stake in the Wicklow mountains was cancelled due to inclement weather conditions on the morning.

As I write, with Dublin and Donegal in Level 3 restrictions for the last fortnight, the entire of the Republic of Ireland was moved to Level 3 restrictions. This in effect has suspended the remainder of the season. The difficult but inevitable decision was made to cancel the proposed trials in Ulster also.

Many thanks to those behind the scenes who allowed at least part of our calendar to proceed. It was a lost year for many, but memorable for some.

The vacuum of few trials this year is being filled. People merge into new and busy routines of family life and other interests. Hopefully, by Spring 2021 things will have markedly moved on for all of us and we will see familiar faces again. Till then stay safe.