Socks runs away with the honours at the Game Fair

The muscle bound body, strong jaw, deep chest and glossy coat of Tommy Light's bull terrier cross lurcher won him the Overall Show Champion title at the Irish Game Fair this year. Tommy was up against stiff competition, with total of 296 entrants over the two days of the Fair.

As ever, the show was very capably organised by the Mid-Antrim Terrier and Lurcher Club and was supported by both Red Mills Animal Feeds and Favour Pet Foods, to whom both the organisers and all the competitors owe a debt of gratitude.

Saturday saw the heaviest work load for judges, Rodney Morgan (terriers) and Mr. C. Morgan (lurchers), with almost 100 dogs per show, divided into the various classes and culminating in a championship class for each.

Gary Middleton's Lakeland terrier, Rex was the terrier champion on Saturday. Rex qualified for the final after winning both the Lakeland class and the 'any terrier showing signs of work' class. Gary also took second place in this class with his other Lakeland, Tanner, while another of Gary's terrier pup, Judy, was placed second in the puppy class. The reserve champion in the terrier ring was Mr T. McLaughlin's Jack Russell type terrier, Judy.

Over in the lurcher ring, Mr. E. McAllister's big blue merle dog, Ash took the show champion rosette, with another over 23" dog, Mr. D. McElholme's Blade, taking the reserve champion title.

Sunday saw fewer entrants in both rings, but the competition was no less fierce, with the ultimate Game Fair Champion title at stake. Today, under judge, Dessie Macken, terrier champion honours went to the previous day's reserve champion, Mr. T. McLaughlin with his Jack Russell type bitch, Judy, while the reserve champion place went to Fermanagh terrier man, Neil Elliott, with his Patterdale terrier, Darkie, a frequent winner in the terrier ring. Over in the lurcher ring, judge, Mr. M. Gracey, placed Mr Tommy Light's Socks in the champion sport, with Mr. J. McGilloway's Duke as Reserve Champion.

Then it was over to the main Fair arena for the overall final, with individual class winners from each class over the two days competing for the coveted Game Fair Champion title. The judges selected Tommy Light's lurcher, Socks and Tim McLaughlin's Jack Russell Judy as best of each and, after much deliberation, selected the lurcher, Socks and the overall Game Fair Champion.

The showing all over, everyone repaired to the race track, ideally located in a long stretch alongside one of the air field runways, where the pace was fast and furious. The racing kicked off with the terriers, where Mr. J. Sweeney's ELLY won the under 12" race and Mr. T. Large's LADY took the winning ribbons for the over 122 terrier race. The whippets were next on the track, with Mr. I. Wilson's Pip littering pipping the rest to the winning post. Gary Reid's Matty won the lurcher puppy racing, Mr. C. Hastings' won the under 23" lurcher races with Sky and Mr. T. Dummigan's Jay won the over 23" lurcher racing. The racing was rounded off with a bumper race, which was won by Mr. Darren Lemon's Jody.

Unfortunately, a highly successful two-day show was marred, right at the end, by a little fighting over one race. While over the entire two days of successful showing, good sportsmanship and fun for all the family, I was the only press photographer to be seen, unfortunately, when the sparks flew, the press were miraculously on hand and a picture and report of the incident hit the Sunday papers. Press coverage of that sort, which really does not reflect the family atmosphere, enjoyment and thrill of the overall event could be potentially devastating for terrier and lurcher shows in the future. Whilst it is understandable that passions can be aroused at such an exiciting event, I do know that the Game Fair organisers will be bringing in new rules to cope with this type of incident. These will include a total ban on any alcohol being carried on the Fair site. The only alcohol that may be consumed on the Fair site will be that available in the bar.

RESULTS IN FULL

OVERALL SHOW CHAMPION: Mr. Tommy Light's Lurcher, SOCKS
Overall Terrier Champion: Mr. T. McLaughlin's terrier, JUDY
Overall Lurcher Champion: Mr. Tommy Light's Lurcher, SOCKS

Saturday 30th June
SPONSORED BY RED MILLS HORSE AND DOG FOODS
TERRIER SHOW
Judge: Mr. Rodney Morgan
Show Champion: Gary Middleton's Lakeland Terrier, REX
Reserve Champion: Mr. T. McLaughlin's Jack Russell Terrier, JUDY
Terrier Pup Class: First, Mr. M. Kee's PICK; Second, Mr. G. Middleton's JUDY; Third, Mr. S. McKeown's ABE.
Any Terrier Showing Signs of Work: First, Mr. G. Middleton's REX; Second, Mr. G. Middleton's TANNER; Third, Mr. T. Coulter's JET.
Jack Russell Class: First, Mr. T. McLaughlin's JUDY; Second, Mr. T. McLaughlin's JACK; Third, Mr. N. Elliott's MOLLY.
Lakeland Class: First, Mr. G. Middleton's REX; Second, Mr. W. Scott's RUSTY; Third, Mr. S. McKeown's REX.
Fell/Patterdale Class: First, Mr. N. Elliott's DARKIE; Second, Mr. D. Mackin's BLACKIE; Third, Mr. J. Heslip's CHARLIE
Border/Crossbred Class: First, Mr. D. Mackin's BORDER; Second, Mr. J. Norman's DARKIE.

LURCHER SHOW
Judge: Mr. C. Morgan
Show Champion: Mr. E. McAllister's ASH
Reserve Champion: Mr. D. McElholme's BLADE
Whippet Class: First, Mr. J. Hill's TARA; Second, C. Booth's INDI; Third, T. Ogilvie's MEGAN.
Lurcher Pup Class: First, Mr. A. Smyth's FLECK; Second, Mr. D. Moore's SHANNON.
AV Lamping Lurcher: First, Mr. A Wilson's BLONDIE; Second, Mr. K. Berry's THORN; Third, Mr. C. Hastings' SKY.
Over 23" Smooth Coated Lurcher: Mr. D. McElholme's BLADE; Second, Mr. M. Skelly's FLASH; Third, Mr. A. Nelson's BLONDIE.
Over 23" Rough Coated Lurcher: First, Mr. V. Jones' KAI; Second, Mr. J. Dummigan's MARLEY; Third, Mr. S. McCusker's SALLY.
Under 23" Rough or Smooth Lurcher: First, Mr. C. Hasting's SKY; Second, Mr. M. Skelly's PRINCE; Third, Mr. B. Craig's MISS ELLY.
AV Hare Lurcher: First, Mr. A. Wilson's BLONDIE; Second, Mr. S. King's JET; Third, Mr. J. Dummigan's RED.
Collie or Terrier Bred Lurcher: First, Mr. E. McAllister's ASH; Second, Mr. J. Dummigan's MARLEY; Third, Mr. F. McKewon's KATE.
AV Fox Lurcher: First, Mr. D. McElholme's HUCK; Second, Mr. S. McAuley's STAR; Third, Mr. A. Lappin's PIPER.

Sunday 1st July
SPONSORED BY FAVOUR PET FOODS, RANDALSTOWN
TERRIER SHOW
Judge: Mr. Dessie Macken
Show Champion: Mr. T. McLaughlin's Jack Russell JUDY
Reserve Champion: Mr. Neil Elliott's DARKIE
Terrier Pup Class: First, Mr. G. Middleton's TROUBLE; Second, Mr P. Greer's CRACKER; Third, Mr. S. McKeown's pup.
Any Terrier Showing Signs of Work: First, Mr. P. Forrest's SPIKE; Second, Mr. D. McElholme's MAX; Third, Mr. M. Brown's BAU.
Any Terrier Under 12" Height: First, Mr. J. Curtin's TOBY; Second, Mr J. Norman's DARKIe; Third, Mr. M. Sheedy's CHOC.
Terrier Pairs: First, Mr. M. Wray; Second, Mr. M. McAuley; Third, Mr. J. Riley.
Jack Russell Class: First, Mr. T. McLaughlin's JUDY; Second, Mr. T. McLaughlin's JACK; Third, Mr. N. Elliott's FRED.
Lakeland Class: First, Mr. N. Elliott's BRAG; Second, Mr. G. Middleton's TANNER; Third, Mr. J. Heslip's RUSTY.
Fell/Patterdale Class: First, Mr. N. Elliott's DARKIE; Second, Mr. P. O'Lynn's NIG; Third, Mr. J. Heslip's JAKE.
Border/Crossbred Class: Mr. P. Marks' SAM; Second, Mr. J. Norman's DARKIE.

LURCHER SHOW
Judge: Mr. M. Gracey
Show Champion: Mr. T. Light's SOCKS.
Reserve Champion: Mr. J. McGilloway's DUKE.
Whippet Class: First, Mr. J. Fletcher's JET; Second, Mr. I Ball's JESS; Third, Mr. G. Doherty's TYSON.
Lurcher Pup Class: First, Mr. G. Reid's BLADE; Second, Mr. G. Reid's MATTY; Third, Mr. A. Moore's PABLO.
Lurcher Pairs: First, Mr. G. Blackett with SASH & STAR; Second, Mr. J. Sweeney with JET & BEAUTY; Third, Mr. G. McKeown with DODGER & RODGER.
AV Lamping Lurcher: First, Mr. J. McGilloway's DARKY; Second, Mr. M. Cherry's BLUE; Third, Mr. J. Carslaw's BLONDIE.
Over 23" Smooth Coated Lurcher: Mr. T. Blackett's STAR; Second, Mr. J. Sweeney's JACK; Third, Mr. A. Wilson's BLONDIE.
Over 23" Rough Coated Lurcher: First, Mr. G. Blackett's PRINCE; Second, Mr. W. McKeown's SUNNY: Third, Mr. M. McKeown's RODGER.
Under 23" Rough or Smooth Lurcher: First, Mr. R. Hastings' JILL; Second, Mr. J. Sweeney's BEAUTY; Third, Mr. W. Newberry's TYLER.
AV Hare Lurcher: First, Mr. A. Wilson's BLONDIE; Second, Mr. J. McGilloway's DARKY; Third, Mr. C. Wills' STAR.
Collie or Terrier Bred Lurcher: First, Mr. T. Light's SOCKS; Second, Mr. G. Blackett's SASH; Third, Mr. B. McLaughlin's ZACK.
AV Fox Lurcher: First, Mr. D. McElhome's HUCK; Second, Mr. M. Doherty's JOE; Third, Mr. M. Cherry's BLUE.

RACING RESULTS
Over 12" Terrier Race: Mr. J. Sweeney's ELLY
Under 12" Terrier Race: Mr. T. Large's LADY
Whippet Race: Mr. I. Wilson's PIP
Lurcher Puppy Race: First, Mr. G. Reid's MATTY; Second, Mr. D. McElholme's BLADE.
Under 23" Lurcher Race: First, Mr. C. Hastings' SKY; Second, Mr. G. Reid's FERN.
Over 23" Lurcher Race: First, Mr. T. Dummigan's JAY; Second, Mr. A. Wilson's BLONDIE.
Bumper Race: Mr. Darren Lemon's JODY.