Irish Field Trials : The 2012-2013 Season

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A Time to Look Back and Honour the Achievements of 2012-2013

Written by:  Paul David Toal

The retriever trialling season that was, is now just a Memory.

And so it is right for us to look back and honour those handlers and their dogs who achieved the accolade of  Field Trial Champion (FTCh). The title FTCh is one that every handler who trials, strives for. It is not easily achieved. In fact, I would hate to put into ‘man-hours’ the time it takes in training to raise up a Champion. For those who do, one has to recognise the dedication they have to their sport.

The first dog to gain his title was Paul O’Brien’s dog Corrib Mafi. Paul had just failed to make up Mafi at the end of last year’s season so he was delighted to get it so early in this season, by winning down in Cobh at the Midland Retriever’s Open Stake. Only two other southern Irish handlers made up their dogs this year:  brothers, Sean and Michael O’Connor.  Sean, with FTCh Watergreen Gangster, bred by his brother Michael.  This dog was a sight to behold when in full flow, a hard hunting dog with a very similar style to his father FTCH Rockenhart Voyager. Sean finished him off by winning at Slane Castle on 24^th November at a Broadmeadows Gundog Club Open Trial.

And then, at the Irish Gundog Field and Show Society Open Stake on 5^th January, which was held at Connolly - Co. Clare, it was a rare occurrence to see two of the finishing dogs be awarded with their FTCh status. Such was the case at this trial, where Michael O’Connor’s bitch Watergreen Freeway (the mother of FTCh Watergreen Gangster) finished 3^rd and Damien Newman’s hard hunting bitch Dunamoira Eve (handled by Trevis Crothers) finished 2^nd at this trial. It was great to see Michael’s bitch making it over the line. Watergreen Freeway has produced some quality progeny over the years. In fact, this year’s Irish Championship saw 4 of her pups making it into the programme, although only 3 dogs actually ran in the event.

Every other dog that was made up into a FTCh this year lived north of the border. These handlers either travelled down to compete or competed in some of the many trials registered with the Irish Kennel Club that are now held in the North. It is great to see the awards in these trials being sought after by competitors from all over this Island. The competition and quality of trials certainly are richer for it.

Tommy Hughes Junior not only qualified for the Irish Championship by winning in Co. Kilkenny and thereby making his dog into a FTCh.  But then,  18 days later,  he won the Ulster Retriever Club’s 2-day Stake. This win qualified him for the British Championship and also made him into an International  FTCH.  I am sure Tommy was delighted.

Competitors at the 2012 Irish Retriever Championship:

Lorenzo Hynes won this year’s 2012 Championship with FTCh Trumpetaker Ash.
He was a worthy winner, for sure. This win underlines the qualities this dog has.
Not only did he win The Retriever of the Year award in 2010, take 4^th Place in the 2010 Retriever Championship, but,  by winning the 2012 Championship (and earning the points such a win offers), FTCh Trumpetaker Ash also won The Retriever of the Year Award for 2012.

Second in the Championship was Alan Rountree with FTCh Waterford Galahad of Tasco. I am sure he was disappointed that he did not win the Championship.  Nonetheless, Alan could take consolation in the fact that winning 2^nd place gave him the ‘Pheasant Point’ he needed to make up his dog into an Irish FTCh.  As Alan’s dog was already a GB FTCh, this means that Galahad is now recognised as
International  FTCh Waterford Galahad of Tasco.

Nigel Carville made his bitch Astraglen Faith into International FTCh Astraglen Faith. They won an early trial at the Glenoo Estate in County Tyrone to make the bitch a GB FTCh.  Then, they completed the season with a win at Birr at the Midlands Retriever Club Open Stake, and through it, earned her Irish FTCh status.  Tony O’Hare, a relative newcomer to trialling, marked his presence in the sport last year with an impressive run in Mohill Gun Club’s Derby stake last year, gaining a second place in that event with Burren Injector.  Since then, he has grown and finished off his year making up his dog into FTCh Burren Injector.

Gary McCutcheon was delighted with his year with his bitch Altiquin Rain of Camgart. Qualifying for this year’s Irish Championship, he then went on to qualify for next year’s British and Irish Championships by winning the Labrador Retriever Club of Northern Ireland’s 2 day Stake in Ballywalter on 14^th and 15^th December. This win made Gary’s bitch into Britsh FTCh Altiquin Rain of Camgart.

Keith Matthews and Sean Nolan both made their dogs up too.  Keith, with his dog Copperbirch Liffey, who gained his status by winning Wexford Retriever Club’s open Stake in January.  And Sean’s dog, Tweedshot Trimble of Lettergreen, who has been very consistent this year winning a lot of awards and, in doing so, a lot of admirers due to his hunting ability.

In completing this write up,  I have to acknowledge the huge amount of people who allow the Trials to run as successfully as they do.  Many of these people do not run dogs themselves, but nevertheless enjoy the trials, the dog work, the camaraderie, and the whole experience of the Retriever Field Trial.

I am talking about the landowners, the guns, the gamekeepers, the secretaries and other club members, the Judges, the markers, and anyone who is associated in any small way with a Field Trial. All competitors are deeply indebted to all those who give their time. Long may it last.
Thank you.