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 BANK Holiday Monday proved to be as bad as the rest of the month with the Whitehaven Area Classic hit by atrocious weather.
When so much time and effort goes into preparations for a major event it is always exasperating to be let-down by the conditions.
Rain and wind made it difficult for everyone, not to mention the hounds, and it was to everyone’s credit they got through the meeting without any major mishaps.
Whitehaven Area chairman Tom Newall said: “It was really atrocious and I particularly felt for the trailers. They did well to get round because when they were on top of Crag Fell they could hardly see their hands in front of them because of the fog.
“The wind meant it was impossible to pitch the tents where we wanted them and had to go down to the bottom of the hill.
“It was a real shame because the trail does provide some excellent viewing and that was spoiled because of the weather.
“At the end of the day, though, the good dogs got in so they stuck at it despite the weather.”
The event was cancelled last year because of the foot and mouth and in 2006 just over £600 was taken on the gate. On Monday the takings were just over £500, which wasn’t bad considering the appalling weather.
As for the trails the seniors were led home by Mayfair, who is really hitting form at the right time to make a big impression on the race for the title.
She has had several victories over Dairy One in recent weeks and collected another at the Classic, racing in by 15 lengths after showing with the lead.
The maiden trail was won in even more emphatic style by Clarity who was a distance clear of Downtown with Last Chance in third.
If Dairy One had to play second fiddle to Mayfair in the seniors, his daughter and son did him proud in the puppy trail.
Dairy Song and Dairy Sound showed together to battle out the finish and it was the bitch who proved the stronger, winning by five lengths.
The best finish was in the puppy maidens when both Honcho and Reuben had the opportunity to win it. In the end it was Honcho who got home with a length to spare. He's pictured at the top of the column with owner/trainer David Todhunter.
Stanley and Carole Jackson completed a kennel double when Cathy won the open restricted by 150 yards from Waltzing Matilda. She's pictured below coming up to the line for the victory.
 Wendy Skillicorn, who is Jerry Schneider's PA for sponsors Fluor presented the trophies for the first two winners and is shown alongside with Carole Jackson and Clarity.
Glenis Farren, the Area treasurer said: “Fluor have given terrific backing to the Classic and it was such a shame the weather turned out so bad for them. The support they give to the local community is so important and we all hope it will continue.”
There were sports and a fancy dress competition planned for the youngsters but the shocking weather put a damper on that.
But the puppy show did go ahead as planned in which HTA chairman Roy Laidler gave his verdict on the youngsters paraded in front of him.
He gave his decision as follows – Dogs - 1st, Dairy One + Jigsaw, H, Messenger; 2nd, Westgate Ruler + Toffee Girl, L, Pawley; 3rd, Miss Dido + Calzaghe, G. Naylor.
Bitches - 1st, Westgate Ruler + Toffee Girl, L. Pawley; 2nd, Monty + Martoya, W Martin; 3rd, Last Chance + Diplomatic, K Christian.
Supreme Champion - Dairy One + Jigsaw.
Our man behind the camera at the Whitehaven Classic was MAL WALKER and his prints, plus others taken on the day, can be bought at £25 for an A4 framed and £40 for an A3 framed. Prints only are £10 A4 and £15 A3.
We start our look back at the week’s trailing with last Tuesday’s meeting at Buttermere.
Lyndhurst Charm was finishing well in the senior trail but just couldn’t get there as Howgill Sandy got there in time by a couple of lengths.
The Jacksons have their team in good order at the moment and Courtesy took the pups nicely, beating Razzmatazz by about four yards.
Waltzing Matilda was a good winner of the open restricted, beating Crystal by around 12 yards.
On Wednesday the Whitehaven Area meeting was held at Steel Brow where Mayfair continued her relentless charge to towards the top of the senior championship table.
Again it was the 2006 champion Dairy One who was on the receiving end as Mayfair came home with ten yards to spare.
Not for the first time, and probably not the last, there was consolation for Arthur and Irene Temple when Dairy Song took the puppy trail, beating Ryan's Girl by six lengths.
The open restricted went to Top Man who beat Lone Star by two lengths.
On Thursday there was disappointment at Kentmere as the 15 seniors were under time and the trail was declared void.
Habana has led the puppy table for a while despite a lean run of form but she was on the scoreboard again when she beat Tower Lass in the junior trail.
The open maidens was won by Howgill Shamrock from Fell Dancer.
There was action on the same night at Wythop where Quiet Pearl was an easy winner of the senior trail from Some Girl and Boreas.
Westgate Ranter had the measure of Roulette in the puppy trail while Jodie romped home in the open restricted.
Outrageous is a strong candidate for the veterans title and took the last race on the card in good style from Lady Rachel.
On Saturday at Oulton Show Girl maintained her championship credentials by winning the senior trail. She had only been fifth coming out of the wood but finished very strongly to beat High Patrol by three yards.
The Swantons completed a kennel double when Darling beat Cracking That for the second time over the Oulton course. It was impressive, too, with a good 12 yards lead at the tape.
In a good finish to the open restricted Waltzing Matilda beat Birkby Magic by three quarters of a length.
They were also at Frizington on Saturday where Hot Fuss won the senior trail easily, getting in ahead of Dignity by a distance.
It was tighter in the pups where three showed together but Bluebird proved to be the stronger and got away from War Song and Miss Lulu to win by two lengths.
The open maidens went to Jackson who finished the stronger after one or two had been seen to have a chance.
Westgate Ruler had the veterans trail sewn-up well before the end and beat Outrageous by a distance.
At Oulton on Tuesday four of the nine runners didn’t complete, including the favourite Show Girl who came back along with kennel-mate Some Girl. The Real Bandit also found its way back while Sara’s Gift was picked-up by an obliging Abbeytown farmer.
In the end Cracking Thore had a good field to spare over High Patrol at the finish.
But there was compensation for the Swanton kennel when Darling popped up with a third successive course and distance win. Again Cracking That was the beaten runner-up, this time by three yards.
In the open restricted Spot On beat Birkby Magic by two lengths with Shane back in third.
That seems an appropriate moment to give you some Oulton points, which are only up to the end of July.
Open – Hounds: Some Girl 66, Show Girl 63, Westgate Kyza 59, Alfresco 32.
Pups: Cracking That 80, Aira Force 28, Westgate Lark 27, Toffee Supreme 26, The Penny Arcade 23.
Open restricted: Bellgate 18, Mambo 14, Toffee Man 12, Birkby Magic 12.
Open maidens: Magwa 11, Sara’s Gift 10, Waltzing Matilda 10, Shane 9, Mambo 9.
Gamelsby points, also up to the end of July are: Open – Hounds: Silent Star 40, Alfresco 33, Cracking Thore 25, War Lord 24, Westgate Kyza 23.
Pups: Cracking That 36, Wisla 28, White Diamond 19, DJ 18, Ocean Ruler 17.
Aspatria and Wigton Area points, up to end of July – Local hounds: Silent Star 59, Paris 10, Busy Time 9, Bellgate 8.
Pups: Wisla 53, Toffee Supreme 37, The Penny Arcade 23, DJ 22, Busy Future 17.
Senior maidens: Splendid 6. Puppy maidens: Hunter’s Lad 6, DJ 3.
Open restricted: Mambo 29, Bellgate 26, Toffee Man 20. Open maidens: Mambo 17, Magwa 11, Reno 11.
Open non winners: Reno 15, Mambo 12.
Ken and Rosemary Gundry were overwhelmed by the cards and messages they received following the sudden death of their son Dene earlier this month, and they would like to thank everybody for their support and kind thoughts.
In the Border Association the latest results have been as follows:-
Tuesday 19th August, Spadeadam Farm
Seniors: 1, Trust; 2, Houxty Beck; 3, Silver Birch; 4, Puzzle; 5, Eagle Gill; 6, Mr Ed. 6 ran, time 24:31.
Pups: 1, Summer Venture; 2, Summer Delight; 3, Templer; 4, Gold Finger; 5, Houxty Bank; 6, Polly. 11 ran, time 15:54.
Open Graded: 1, Newman; 2, Amber Salsa; 3, Major; 4, Mandesha; 5, Fire Glory; 6, On-Line. 12 ran, time 15:59.
Open Maidens: 1, Castle Brae; 2, Cheeky Girl; 3, Amber Petite; 4, Spring Breeze; 5, Jigsaw; 6, Molly. 11 ran, time 16:14.
Thursday 21st August, Slaggyford
Seniors: 1, Jack Flash; 2, Marshman; 3, Fire Dream. 3 ran, time 31:15.
Senior Graded: 1, Delta Dancer; 2, Amber Salsa; 3, Lakeland Mist; 4, Fire Glory; 5, Amber Petite; 6, Molly. 9 ran, time 33:18.
Pups: 1, Gold Finger; 2, Summer Venture; 3, Farm Time; 4, Fire Ranger; 5, Summer Delight; 6, Headline. 9 ran, time 19:19.
Restricted Graded: 1, Eagle Gill; 2, On-Line; 3, Mr Ed; 4, Castle Thorn; 5, Skylark; 6, Sparkling Pearl. 8 ran, time 18:15.
Saturday 23rd August, Sewingshields.
Seniors: 1, Silver Birch; 2, Sparkling Pearl; 3, Skylark; 4, Trust. Only four finished. 5 ran, time 26:20. Senior Graded: 1, Puzzle; 2, Delta Dancer; 3, On-Line; 4, Fire Glory; 5, Mr Ed; 6, Spring Moss.10 ran, time 27:03.
Pups: 1, Gold Finger; 2, Farm Time; 3, Summer Delight; 4, Denton Friendship; 5, Headline; 6, Houxty Bank. 9 ran, time 17:27.
Open Maidens: 1, Azinger; 2, Jedi; 3, Spring Breeze; 4, Jigsaw; 5, Cheeky Girl; 6, God Dust. 7 ran, time 16:27.
Monday 25th August, Park Head, Bewcastle.
Seniors: 1, Trust; 2, Newman; 3, Eagle Gill; 4, Freedom; 5, Marshman; 6, Silver Birch. 11 ran, time 31:51.
Senior Graded: 1, Castle Thorn; 2, On-Line; 3, Major; 4; Fire Dream; 5, Fire Glory; 6, unclaimed-. 17 ran, time 31:47.
Pups: 1, Summer Venture; 2, Gold Finger; 3, Summer Delight; 4, Polly; 5, Fire Ranger; 6, Headline. 7 ran, time 21:43.
Graded Pups: 1, Spring Raider; 2, Houxty Bank; 3, Castle Corrie; 4, Farm Watch; 5, Gold Dust; 6, Templer. 9 ran, time 23:17.
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