A WARM, late summer’s evening greeted supporters from both the Killinick Harriers and the Island Foxhounds for the latter’s annual puppy show held on the lovely setting of the Scallan family garden at the Kennels, Clearistown, Co Wexford.

Island Huntsman and former flat race jockey Paul Scallan produced 7 ½ couples of young hounds for judges Charlie Dando MFH (the Monmouthshire) and Jim Kenny (Huntsman, the Waterford). The winning dog hound was Barrier (Barker ’16 – Perfect ’18), who was sponsored by the O’Connor family, who farm at Clohamon near Bunclody.

Hunt chairman and farmer John Gahan walked the winning bitch Frisky, who was home-bred by the Island’s own sire Diplomat ’20 out of the dam Friday ’19. John Gahan also ‘walked’ (i.e. ‘reared’) the bitch who was second, Frisky’s sister Friendly. “I have another two puppies on the farm at home near Monageer,” said hunting farmer John, as he walked away waving his trophy head high. Island Hunt secretary Belinda Walsh walked third placed young bitch Fairmaid (Smuggler ’21 – Faction ’22), who played round the ring showing off her charms defying attempts to curtail her fun.

All eyes were on the important prizes for the best working hounds from the last hunting season. Joint-Master Ted Nolan and his family sponsored the winning doghound Barker ’23 and, by chance, Ted’s Joint-Master, Conal Dreelan (busy with the barbeque so missed much of the ringside show) collected his family’s prize for walking the best working bitch from last season with the impressively bred Chitchat ’23. Her sire was Vale of White Horse Forger ’19 and her dam Heythrop Chutney ’18.

Commemorative coffee mugs were presented to all those who had either walked or sponsored an Island Hunt puppy over the past 12 months, often putting up with playful puppies removing washing from lines or adjusting flower beds to the more adventurous foxhound style!

The hunt chairman thanked the judges, especially the Joint-Master and Huntsman of the Monmouthshire, who had flown across an ocean to be with the Island Hunt on this most important of days for the hounds. Both judges wished the Island Hunt all the very best for the coming hunting season in Co Wexford and the weather held for the post-judging BBQ to keep most happy for some time.