IT is now 24 years since the National Hound Show has moved to its present home at Stradbally Hall, where the Cosby family continue to extend a warm welcome. This year, in a break with tradition, the event will be staged on a Saturday rather than Sunday.

But there will be no change in the quality of hounds on show. The event is run under the auspices of the Irish Master of Foxhounds, whose current chairman is Lord Waterford, senior master of the famed pack of the same name. However, the event has been very ably chaired and run by David Lalor (MFH Laois) since its move to its current spectacular location.

The IMFHA remains one of the oldest sporting bodies in this country, having been founded in 1859, all of 25 years before the birth of the GAA in 1884. All the leading packs of foxhounds will be represented, vying for a much-prized red rosette or a championship cup in the many classes that go right back to when the event was first staged on Clonmel Showground.

This year, the hound show committee would also like to announce The Ger Withers Memorial Cup to be awarded for the best Old English entry in the open bitch championship (class 14), kindly donated by The Duhallow Hunt. This is in honour of the late and much-lamented Ger Withers, who gave his life to hunting and who was rightly looked on as Ireland’s premier huntsman until his untimely death.

Historic

Among the other historic and valuable trophies competed for are the Major Dermot McCalmont Perpetual Trophy for the best couple of entered dog hounds, The Ikey Bell Challenge Cup for the best un-entered bitch, and The Waterford Perpetual Challenge Cup for the best brood bitch.

As always, The Irish Field remains as loyal sponsors of the event, with The Irish Field Perpetual Trophy being presented for the best un-entered Old English bitch. Other sponsors include Tattersalls through the good offices of their chairman Edmond Mahony MFH (Louth FH) and Tom Berney of Berney Brothers.

Judging in the foxhound section this year is George Sanderson (Brockelsby), Stephen Lambert (ex Heythrop), with Martin Scott (ex VWH) and Mark Hankinson (ex Wilton).

The harriers and beagles are also well represented in ring 2 and 3, with the harrier classes going from strength to strength since they started approximately 10 seasons ago. Judging in the harrier section this year will be Rory Dicker (Rockview Harriers) and Johnny Henry of the Meath Foxhounds.

Probably the high point of the day will be the Young Handlers class, which always attracts a terrific turnout. All are welcome, with judging beginning at 10am.