THE weather is still in an unpredictable mood and although trailers have been able to get out for practice runs, the prospect of more snow and frost booms out from almost every forecaster.
 
We are hearing reports of heavy snow again (even worse than last time) but so far the east of the country seems the likeliest dumping ground – and we might just escape.
 
Certainly among the hound trailing fraternity it’s been god to get a respite and even the delayed Boxing Day trail took place on Saturday at the Soot Box, Kendal.
 
Nine puppies took to the line and it was Nick, Trish and Yvonne Wilson and Steph Stainton’s Tiagress who took the win comfortably from litter siblings Bland/Barrows Huntsman’s Future with Bingham/Owen’s Sierra Sue finishing third. 

The two bitches Huntsman’s Future and Sierra Sue are out of Alpha Lady by Shane. The winner is by Agenda out of Howe Bess.

Twenty five seniors took part in the second confrontation and the first two provided a great race.

In the end the Petersen/Oldcorn partnership triumphed with Cavendish who just edged it by half a length from Jenny Bland’s, Jenny’s Dream with Appleby, Saunders and Pounder’s Dizzee Rascal in third.

At Coniston on Sunday only four puppies contested the long trail but it made for a great race as each took their turn in driving.

In the end it was Lisa and Edward Crosby’s Warden who claimed the win by a length from the other three who were very hard to judge as a hair split Lady Louise, Huntsman’s Future and Temperance. 

A dog pup, Warden is by Dairy One out of Regularity and looks an interesting proposition as he won in 10.35.

Twenty seniors contested their trial and it was dominated by the Bland/Barrows entries.

Huntsman’s Dazzler, Huntsman’s Charm and Huntsman’s Chance took the first three places.

Five puppies went on the short trail, but unfortunately three took off up the finish and two on the start. This produced some confusion as you can imagine and the only hound to complete the trail the wrong way round was Bingham/Owen’s Sierra Sue in 6.29. 

Seven seniors had a run on the short trail with Appleby, Saunders and Pounder’s Dizzee Rascal taking the spoils from litter sibling Mika with Bowderdale Billy in third place. The time was given as 4.22.

At Lamplugh Neil Brown and Colin Graham’s Bingo (Sycamore – Liam’s Lady) who had won previously at Dearham was successful again in a field of 24 pups.  He beat Endurance (Fleetwood Mac/Toffee Girl) of Keith Lynch and Darren McMaster with Angel (Fleetwood Mac/Lady Ryan's) for the Donaldsons of Hensingham in third. The time was given as 13.47.

A massive field of 48 contested the senior trail which was in a time of 12.16 by Relentless.
There have been open trials at Moota and on Wednesday there were 15 pups slipped for a near ten-minute run.
 
Alan Blacklock's Blackbird finished well to win by a few yards ahead of Laura Steele and Gordon Tinnion's Quiet Goldfinch with Denise and Ben Bland and Dennis Barrow's Huntsman's Future close-up third. The time was 9.32. Blackbird is by Mambo out of Busy Time.
 
There was a close finish in the senior trail where Reg Smith and Alf McCarron's Alliance just got the verdict over the Pawley, Burrow and Hodgson's pair Della and Dempsey. There were 26 runners and the time was 8.06.
 
Trails at the Soot Box, Kendal will be staged this Saturday and also on February 20 starting at 1-30pm.
 
The trails at Coniston Fell Gate are every Sunday, 2.30 pm (9 min. trail, then 5 min. trail, P and H for both). You should ring 015394 41239 if in doubt about the weather.
 
David Lines has been in touch to remind people the Cleator Moor Charity Support Group will be holding their presentation night at Moor Row Working Mens Club on Friday, February 26.
 
It will be 7 for 7-30pm and the entertainment is being provided by Spotlight with tickets available from Brenda on 01946 812249 at £10 each.
 
He was telling me that the recent race night in the Columba Club raised £230.
 
The official March trial trails are fast approaching, less than three weeks off and some of the ones to note for the diary are at Plumpton and Coniston.

Sunday, March 7 - Plumpton (2.00); Coniston (2.30); Sunday March 14 – Plumpton (2.00); Coniston (2.30); Sunday, March 21- Plumpton (2.00); Coniston (2.30); Sunday, March 28 - Coniston (2.30).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

---

Bookmark with: what are these?