NIGEL Peel will head the judging line-up at the 2016 Irish Masters of Foxhounds’ annual show at Stradbally Hall, Co Laois on Sunday, July 3rd.

This year’s foxhound judging team consists of Nigel Peel, master of the North Cotswold and Andrew Cook, master of the Dumfriesshire & Stewartry for the doghounds, while Edward Foster, former master of the Wheatland and Vanessa Lambert, master of the Heythrop will assess the bitches.

The increasingly popular show will include two unentered championships, a trophy presented by the Foxhound Kennel Stud Book, The Irish Field-sponsored Old English class for young hounds and the Horse & Hound Cup for the best two young bitches.

Running alongside the foxhound show at Stradbally Hall will be the harrier and beagle classes, all part of the National Hound Show.

Starting at 10.30am, the show will also feature horse and pony events, team chasing, trade stands and food outlets, all helping to create a family day out on the Cosby’s impressive parkland property.

Foxhound class schedules, terms, conditions and entry forms can be obtained from the IMFHA website at www.imfha.com.The closing date for entries is Thursday, June 16th.

Further information is available from from David Lalor on 087-2542114 or entries secretary Roddy Bailey on 086-2685895 or by email to roderic2@eircom.net.