THE increasingly popular Irish Masters of Foxhounds’ Annual Show at Stradbally Hall, Co Laois on Sunday, July 1st contains two Unentered Championships, a trophy presented by the Foxhound Kennel Stud Book and like most major hound shows will have separate judges for the morning Doghounds and the afternoon Bitches.

The show includes The Irish Field-sponsored ‘Old English’ class for young doghounds and the Horse & Hound Cup for the best two young bitches. This year introduces a prize for the best entered ‘Old English’ entry shown in the couple classes. Along with the Harrier & Beagle classes the show forms the National Hound Show.

Held by kind permission of the Cosby family starting at 10.15am, the show attracts hunts from all over Ireland. This year’s foxhound judging teams are Mark Hankinson (former joint master and huntsman, the Wilton) and Tim Allen MFH (joint master and huntsman, the Duke of Buccleuch’s) for the morning doghounds. Charles Frampton MFH (joint master and huntsman, the Heythrop) with Henry Bailey MFH (joint master and huntsman, the Ludlow) will judge the afternoon bitch classes.

  • All four foxhound judges are masters either hunting their own hounds or have recently retired from that role.
  • The showground hosts the National Harrier and Beagle Shows with adjacent rings devoted to horse and pony events plus team chasing. Trade stands and food outlets add to the event being a day out in impressive parkland for the whole family.

    • Foxhound class schedules, terms, conditions and entry forms (the closing date for entries is Thursday, June 14th) may be obtained from the IMFHA website: see www.imfha.ie.

    Further information from show chairman David Lalor MFH (087 254 2114) or entries’ secretary Roddy Bailey (086 268 5895), email roderic2@eircom.net