The International meeting at Cleamire provided an entertaining afternoon’s sport for a good-sized crowd.
A thrilling finish to the blue riband trail – the opening race for seniors –saw the leading five hounds separated by five yards and got the meeting off to a good start.
After an early freak shower and high winds the weather settled down and although blustery remained dry for the rest of the meeting.
In the opening senior trail Roy Laidler’s Kirkhead Rebel and Sophie Steele’s Miterdale Dusk battled for the lead on the finish.
At the line Kirkhead Rebel prevailed by a head while close behind Hunter’s Flame and Winterfell were separated by only half a length.
Duchess Ava was probably finishing fastest but had left herself too much to do and the line came before she could get in a blow at the leaders.
In the maidens Christine Brownlee’s Monsoon was the surprise winner of the day. But with the family tradition in the sport, maybe it wasn’t.
Monsoon finished well ahead of Brian Graham and Eleanor Chisholm’s Eleanor’s Girl.
There was also a turn-up in the open pups when the favourite Huntsman’s Rebel could finish only second. Foxparke Beep Beep did her young team of owners proud as she came home with a clear lead.
The Foxparke kennel picked up six tickets on the day and following their win in the open pups they collected second and third in the puppy maidens.
Linda Neale and Mark Bryden from Longtown were successful with Eagle Love who finished well clear.
Malcolm Holmes’ Sir Robert finished well to take the honours nicely in the open restricted which had a field of 35 runners.
The meeting was rounded off by the veterans in which Denis Peare and Jackie Gill’s Hawkswood came into sight with a good lead and finished clear of Denis Bland’s Huntsman’s Major.
Although the HTA entries dominated the six trails the Border Association did pick up two tickets.
S and B Harper and H Robinson from Cargo got seventh in the open pups with Delta Swift while B Shaw and M Nixon from Brough-by-Sands were seventh in the open restricted with Lucky Charm.
Three visiting hounds from Yorkshire ran in the open restricted and after getting round were presented with a special prize.
There were no Irish hounds taking part although there were a few Irish members present after travelling over especially for the trails. They had been impressed with the day’s sport.
June 25 – International Hound Trails – Cleamire
- Hounds – 1. Kirkhead Rebel; 2. Miterdale Dusk; 3. Hunter’s Flame; 4. Winterfell; 5. Duchess Ava; 6. Miterdale Duchess; 7. Jenny’s Quest. 14 ran, time 32.59.
- Maidens – 1. Monsoon; 2. Eleanor’s Lass; 3. Denton Shamrock; 4. Thorn Pop; 5. Kinniside Dan; 6. Foxparke Parma Violet; 7. Fly Me To The Moon. 29 ran, time 36.41.
- Open Pups – 1. Foxparke Beep Beep; 2. Huntsman’s Rebel; 3. Rex The Rocket; 4. Thorn Lightening; 5. Miterdale Shade; 6. Lady Million; 7. Delta Swift. 14 ran, time 18.19.
- Puppy Maidens – 1. Eagle Love; 2. Foxparke Mysteriously; 3. Foxparke Whoosh; 4. Thorn Thunder; 5. Sweet Dreams; 6. Malia; 7. Busy Again. 20 ran, time 19.46.
- Open Restricted – 1. Sir Robert; 2. Bretton; 3. Denton Balboa; 4. Ron; 5. Insider; 6. Eagle Rock; 7. Lucky Charm. 35 ran, time 18.13.
- Veteran – 1. Hawkswood; 2. Huntsman’s Major; 3. General James; 4. Foxparke Golden Balls; 5. Foxparke Hooligan; 6. Miterdale Shadow; 7. Canny Mover. 10 ran, time 18.48.
