The annual Rusland Show hosted a five race meeting with the senior hounds getting things off to a start.
The week had been full of fixtures so running numbers were average with a slip of seven in the opener.
It might have been a small field but it was quite competitive.
Once slipped the hounds can be seen running past the main field and out in front was Miterdale Green Queen followed by Kinniside Bobby both for Sophie Steele.
Then came Baroness Ava for James and Ava McClellan, followed by Huntsman’s Time for Denise and Jenny Bland and Graeme Little.
Foxparke Honk Honk was also there a couple of yards behind for the Napier and Butler kennel.
Once out of sight they can be seen again climbing up the fell and it was Foxparke Honk Honk who had made the ground up and was leading from Baroness Ava then Huntsman’s Time.
As they turned to drop down again four had broken clear with Foxparke Honk Honk still leading from Huntsman’s Time.
Miterdale Green Queen had made some ground up and was now in third place with Baroness Ava having dropped back to fourth.
Given the warm day all the hounds were pleased to see the river and some stayed in it more than others.
Foxparke Honk Honk was the first in and the first out to go on and win while Kinnsisde Bobby had made up some ground and with the other hounds taking on some water he came through to take second.
Baroness Ava finished in third place with Miterdale Green Queen for Sophie Steele in fourth.
Huntsman’s Time was fifth and Miterdale Honesty eventually finished in sixth place for Sophie and Katie Steele.
The pups went off next with a slip of 10 runners. Jenny’s Chance and Huntsman’s Unite for Denise and Jenny Bland and Graeme Little would be the ones to beat having claimed first and second earlier in the week.
But they would have strong competition from Ruth and Charlie Dixon’s Let It Be who had won on Thursday at Rydal Sheep Dog Trials. Once slipped three hounds established a nice lead with Jenny’s Chance, Let It Be and Huntsman’s Unite taking charge.
They stayed in front for the rest of the race exchanging places as they completed the course but once on the finish it was Jenny’s Chance and Huntsman’s Unite who came together and had a good race to the line.
Jenny’s Chance got the verdict from Huntsman’s Unite while Let It Be finished well in third place.
Sophie Steele was in the tickets again with Miterdale Wow in fourth while Foxparke Oink Oink and Foxparke Cheese and Beans took fifth and sixth for Robyn, Ellie, Grace and Nicola Napier and Brook Butler.
Eight Open Maidens were slipped in the next race and the winner of the senior maidens at the HRA Premier event last week-end Lucky Lottie was running along with her kennel mate Lucky Moon for Geoff and Gillian Higgins.
As the hounds came into sight and were climbing up the fell it was Foxparke Dealer for the Napier and Butler kennel leading followed by Lucky Moon and Foxparke Elliot’s Lad in close pursuit.
Once on the finish Foxparke Elliot’s Lad stayed in the water too long and Foxparke Dealer came out but was beaten on the finish by Lucky Lottie.
James and Ava McClellan’s Glamorous Ava finished in third place with Lucky Moon in fourth.
Foxparke Elliot’s Lad also spent too long in the water and when he eventually came out took fifth with Foxparke Majesty taking the sixth ticket.
The Open Restricted race was next with a slip of eight hounds.
Sophie Steele was looking to repeat the win she had earlier in the week with Miterdale Rambler and he was showing promise as they climbed up the fell leading from Barba and Geoff Jones and Stephen Walker’s Lily.
Local hound Black Eyed Shadow was in third place and then there was a gap to Foxparke Sassy Girl. Dropping down the leading three hounds remained together but the water on the finish was just too tempting for Miterdale Rambler and Black Eyed Shadow.
However Lily came through and was able to go on to claim the win.
Duchess Ava for James and Ava McClellan also came on well and took second place with Miterdale Rambler eventually earning third.
Foxparke Sassy Girl was fourth with Bill and Pat Mellon and Tina and Wac Airey taking fifth place with Cracking Artist.
Black Eyed Shadow eventually finished to earn the sixth ticket.
Last into action were the veterans with the two top leaders running Miterdale Duchess for Denis Pear and Jackie Gill, last year’s veteran champion and Eagle Rock for Linda Neale, Mark, Josh and Georgia Bryden.
Once slipped it was Miterdale Duchess and Eagle Rock who raced each other neck and neck for the majority of the course followed by Bretton and Reebok for Brian Graham, Eleanor and Oliver Chisholm and Julie Birkenshaw.
As they dropped down the fell there were three hounds together – Miterdale Duchess, Eagle Rock and Bretton.
Once back on the finish it was Eagle Rock who cleared the fence first but ran to the side and lost ground letting Miterdale Duchess come through to win.
Eagle Rock took second with Bretton claiming third place. Brian Graham and Co took fourth, fifth and sixth with Reebok, Eleanor’s Lass and Young Harry.
August 16 – Rusland Show
- Hounds – 1. Foxparke Honk Honk; 2. Kinniside Bobby; 3. Baroness Ava; 4. Miterdale Green Queen; 5. Huntsman’s Time; 6. Miterdale Honesty. 7 ran, time 30.37.
- Pups – 1. Jenny’s Chance; 2. Huntsman’s Unite; 3. Let It Be; 4. Miterdale Wow; 5. Foxparke Oink Oink; 6. Foxparke Cheese and Beans. 10 ran, time 18.04.
- Open maidens – 1. Lucky Lottie; 2. Foxparke Dealer; 3. Glamorous Ava; 4. Lucky Moon; 5. Foxparke Elliot’s Lad; 6. Foxparke Majesty. 8 ran, time 18.20.
- Open Restricted – 1. Lily; 2. Duchess Ava; 3. Miterdale Rambler; 4. Foxparke Sassy Girl; 5. Cracking Artist; 6. Black Eyed Shadow. 8 ran, time 17.44.
- Veterans – 1. Miterdale Duchess; 2. Eagle Rock; 3. Bretton; 4. Reebok; 5. Eleanor’s Lass; 6. Young Harry. 6 ran, time 17.49
