Many congratulations to the new Mr and Mrs Blacklock on their recent wedding. Lizzy and Seth were married about a month ago and they and their friends enjoyed a reception in Belfast Castle. Lizzy looked lovely in her dress, trimmed with a red sash and Seth looked pretty good too with his matching carnation.
Some club members, barely recognisable in their party frocks, were there to help them celebrate their big day. From left to right; Ruth, Lynda, Brenda, Amanda, Miriam and Karen.
We wish Lizzy and Seth all the very best for their future together
15th July 2010
City of Belfast DTC
City of Belfast 21st annual show got off to a good start with Tracy Donaldson winning 1st places with Evy in grade 1-2 Large agility and Be in grade 1-2 Large jumping. These wins today, puts Tracy's both dogs into Grade 3. Audrey Hanna and Molly were the next to come up tops, by winning 1-5 Medium agility, hence moving up a grade to grade 6.
The afternoon continued to be successful for the club with Mary Morgan winning grade 6-7 Small agility with her Cairn Terrier, Misty and the day ended on a high with Karen Bleakley winning grade 1-7 Medium agility with Tess her collie cross.
Well done to everyone.
Pictured from left to right Tracy,Mary,Karen & Audrey
3rd July 2010
Coleraine and District DTC show
Some club members enjoyed success at Coleraine Show where the weather was generally kind except for a few heavy showers. Alison and Zara had their second win, in a matter of weeks, in the Novice Obedience class. In the Agility, Karen was enjoying her first 'official' judging appointment and awarded Lynn and Dale a first in the 3-7 Jumping class.
Well done to them both.
27th June 2010
Ciara's Retirement
Size isn't everything
Seaforde Speedy Girl (Ciara to her friends)
Ciara won her first Winter League (small dog) in 1999 and went on to win several more titles including 2nd and 3rd overall sizes of dogs
In 2000 she won 'Pedigree Chum Small Dog of the Year' at Balmoral. She was Mini Dog of the Year in 2004 (Reserve in 2003). She has been Reserve Champion Small Dog THREE times in 2002, 2003 and 2005
Our only regret is that we didn't win the Championship title!
Ciara began Agility training in 1998 with DDDTC in Jenny's class. Ciara plans to retire gracefully at the end of this season, at the ripe old age of 13 years. After a successful and enjoyable time in the ring she is looking forward to many holidays in Donegal chasing seagulls and having picnics with doggy friends Amber, Dale and Clancy.
23rd June 2010
IADSA Club Successes
Some club members travelled to Portmarnock on Saturday to compete in the IASDA Campionship show. It was a lovely venue with plenty of space to exercise the dogs and the fresh breeze blowing in from the Irish sea helped to keep dogs and competitors cool. Audrey and Molly had 3 first places in Secondary and Graduate Medium Agility, Secondary and Graduate Medium Jumping and the Medium Classic Agility.
Alison and Katie won the Large Masters Jumping round and the Collie Classic Agility and Mary and Misty won the Small Masters Jumping.
Well done to them all!
12th June 2010
Lisburn and District DTC show
Lisburn's two day show got off to a good start on Saturday with Tracy again winning grade 1-2 agility, this time with Be. In the grade 3-5 Agility Audrey and Chino had a fantastic clear round over a challenging course and against stiff competition, giving them a first place and making Chino up to Grade 6. Over the two days Audrey and Chino had 6 clear rounds out of 8 runs - an exceptional achievement!
The Championship agility classes across the 3 height categories on Sunday were won by 3 local teams and Down District would like to congratulate Declan and Bonnie, Louise and Max and Curtis and Peggy on their wins.
5th/6th June 2010
Ballyrawer Show
Ballyrawer show was held yesterday and a 'raw' day it was too -such a contrast from the mediterranean style weather of the previous weekend! However, the dog folk are used to such weather and turned out, as usual, to compete in both Obedience and Agility classes.
Ballyrawer always has the added attraction/distraction of many children whizzing down aerial slides and playing football as was the case during the Novice stays. This proved no problem to Zara who remained firmly in place resulting in Alison taking first place in Novice at the end of a very long day. Earlier Anne and Amber had taken first place in Class A.
In the Agility ring it was Louise's first official judging appointment and she had set good, flowing courses. Pat, one of our most senior members, took first place in the Grade 3-7 Agility with Sweep. Pat is a popular competitor and always gets a tremendous round of applause when he's in the line-up. Tracy and Evy also did well, taking first place in the Grade 1-2 Agility.
Congratulations to all our prize winners.
29th May 2010
Down District Agility Show at Castle Ward
The club held its annual May Agility show yet again in the beautiful grounds of Castle Ward. It was the hottest day of the year so far and while most of the competitors enjoyed the sun, I'm not so sure the dogs did! Our judges, Sam McCracken and Anne Collen set lovely, flowing courses with just enough challenges in them to keep the handlers on their toes.
It's always difficult to be successful at your own club show, but 5 of our club members managed to do just that, taking first place in five of the classes. They're pictured here against the majestic back-drop of Castle Ward House.
From left to right, we have
Mary and Ellie Grade 6-7 Small Jumping
Lynn and Dale Grade 5-7 Small Agility
Karen and Tess Grade 6-7 Medium Jumping
Amanda and Fly Grade 1-5 Large Jumping
Simon and Be Grade 1-2 Large Jumping
Well done everyone.
22nd May 2010
Balmoral All Ireland Jumping Final
Club members had a very successful day at the Oscar All Ireland RUAS Jumping final on Friday. Dogs from both North and South had to qualify to compete in today's final and those there represented the best of Ireland's dogs. Our own club produced a winning combination in the Medium height category with Karen and her little collie cross, Tess taking first place and in the large dog category Jennifer and Paddy, the elder statesman at age 11 and a half, secured third place. Congratulations to them both.
Sadly it looks like this will be the last Balmoral Agility final and I would like to take this opportunity to repeat Ronnie's thanks to Maynard and Sheelagh Rea for organising this event over the last 15 years. We will all miss it next year.
14th May 2010
Castlereagh Agility Show Successes
Down District members were successful again this week but this time it was in agility rather than obedience. Ronnie's Patch makes a great agility venue with plenty of room for 2 rings and the renovated Old Railway track is ideal for walking the dogs and as an excellent view point for bemused cyclists and other walkers. All our wins were in the Agility ring with Karen and Tess taking 1st place in the Grade 7 Medium class and Lynn and Dale taking 1st in the Grade 3-7 Small category. Audrey and Chino won the Large 1-5 class making Chino now a grade 5 dog and Mairintje and Senna won the Small grade 1-2 class.
