by Mary O., Fun Match Chair
It was a bit warm again this year, but despite earlier predictions it did not rain, for which we must once again thank our gracious hostess, Mary Donovan. Her reputation for preventing precipitation remains unblemished!
I want to thank the many volunteers who made this event run itself: Donna Smith for judging conformation; Mary Donovan for letting us take over her front yard again and for donating the lovely flowers which decorated the ring, Denise Harris (food coordinator); Dee Brehl (raffle/boutique coordinator); Jim Koenig, Meaghan and Johnny O'Malley, the Hartneys, the Luthers, the Van Nests, Rob Maloy and the Brehls (setup and cleanup); Jeanette Luther and Sile Barber (conformation stewards); Karen Malone (trophy and gift donations and show supplies); Johnny again and Rob Maloy (pictures); Melanie Marshall (entries); Denise Harris (gorgeous framing for the judge's gift); Tom Hartney for the coffee and donuts which motivated the setup crew; Diane and Tom Hartney for organizing the parade of special hounds; and Jim Koenig for assisting me with organizing and running everything else. I'm sure I've left someone out as I'm sure I must every year. Club members and attendees are terrific about pitching in and helping, bringing food, and contributing to the fun we all have at this event. Truly a group effort!
Highlights from the Match are below, and full results and additional pictures are available through links in each section. I expect to add more pictures soon!
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We tried some new activities this year - a game of tic-tac-toe,
and a relay race. In the tic-tac-toe game we split the contestants into two teams, and one team
had to try and get 3 dogs doing a sit-stay in a row, while the other
team tried to get 3 dogs in a row doing a down-stay. Then the teams played a 2nd
time with the sits and downs reversed. Despite the widely held
view that IWs excel at lying down, the same team won both times. Maybe
it was the training!
The relay race involved the same teams running a relay race while carrying a dog biscuit on a spoon and dropping it in a milk jug at one end of the run. The challenge was to keep the dog from grabbing the biscuit, and to avoid dropping it. The same team won again! A very good day for them :-) |
More Game Pictures |
PVIWC's rescue coordinators, Tom and Diane Hartney, arranged a tribute to the club's rescue hounds and some of the people who have helped rescue them, especially Mary Ryan and the Morfits. They also awarded thank-yous to the Jewelers, who made personalized andannas for all the rescues and club IWs.
The Hartneys told stories of each hound, and many of them were present with their new families. It was really heartwarming to see how well the IWs are doing, and I'm not just saying that because I'm sharing my life with one! It was obvious how much care the Hartneys have taken with these special dogs, and we are all grateful to them for everything they've done.
Donna Smith of Taliesin Irish Wolfhounds was our conformation and
non-regular class judge this year.
Once again we had no juniors entered, but there were quite a few puppies, which was
great fun for the spectators. Of course, some of the puppies acted like puppies in the ring,
and Donna was patient and kind with all of them, and with their owners. She was gracious in providing
positive and constructive feedback, and everyone really enjoyed having her as our judge.
The winners:
Our club president, Tom Hartney, got to present awards to his favorite adult and favorite
puppy of the match.
For his favorite adult, he picked Flynn, who impressed him as
a lovable, sweet, and very happy hound.
His favorite puppy was Rua, who impressed everyone at the match with
his unbelievable bladder capacity! He decided in the middle of demonstrating his
gait that he simply had to relieve himself, and I think I can safely say that no
one could have predicted how long this would take. I think he has a real future as a show hound -
not only did he not mind everyone watching him, he actually performed an encore before
the class was finished!
Regular Classes Best Puppy: Brandywhine Diva of Eagle
Best Adult: Carrickaneena's Kitty
Non-Regular Classes Best Gait: Aislin O'Ros
Best Head: Blair's Airgead Rua
Longest Tail: Dylan O'Ros of Eagle
Non-Regular Class Pictures
