WITH opening meets only around the corner, the puppy show season is winding down, but perhaps the best wine is kept for last with the Scarteen puppy show held last Friday evening at the kennels in Scarteen.

Unfavourable weather proved to be no deterrent to the huge crowd who turned up for the occasion. Judges Kate Jarvey and David Trant MH (North Kerry Harriers) were given the task of picking champions from the 12 couple on show. The kennels were in pristine condition, having been given a serious face-lift over the summer by new Scarteen huntsman Jamie Cross, ably assisted by KH Paul Collins and Mike McCarthy and not forgetting Jake Murphy MFH, who have done trojan work coming into the autumn.

Jamie formerly carried the horn in West Limerick with the Stonehall. He has left the stone walls of West Limerick for the challenging banks and trenches of Scarteen and the galloping pastures of Knocklong, Emly, Elton and further afield.

Neither judge are strangers to Scarteen; David Trant, master and huntsman of the North Kerrry Harriers, regularly makes the trip from Listowel to hunt in Co Limerick with the Scarteen or the Stonehall in West Limerick, while Jarvey is a former master in Scarteen. A keen and successful horse breeder from her stud farm in Kanturk, Co Cork, she bred the close runner-up at the recent five-star Burghley Horse Trials - Colorado Blue, brilliantly ridden by Austin O’Connor.

Cracking condition

The young entry was in cracking condition with one of them capable of earning a Stradbally red rosette. Senior master Chris Ryan MFH, now happily restored to robust health, was on hand to welcome all to the puppy show and spoke on the PA system to wish the new huntsman a good season. Chairman John Hourigan was there to welcome all and former huntsman Hughie Ryan acted as MC during the judging.

There were visitors aplenty; David Lalor MFH (Laois) had made the journey accompanied by equestrian artist Liam Clancy from Abbeyleix. Also visiting was former huntsman of the Ormond, Oliver Ryan-Purcell, while Michael Ryan made the long trip from Wicklow for the occasion.

Most of the joint masters were there - Jake Murphy on crutches recovering from a knee operation but confident of being back in the saddle by opening meet time. Of the other Joint Masters, Bill Hanly made the cut as did Mairead English and Mary Curtis MFH who only joined the mastership this season. Missing was Shane Breen, who is busy with his duties at Hickstead but he was represented by his father, John Breen from Cashel. Also missing was Roger Dungworth MFH of Lincolnshire, who was busy winding up the harvest.

Linesman, by Cork National Rattler out of Scarteen Linnet, caught the judge’s eye to win when walked by Shane Jones. Meanwhile, among the fair sex with the same pedigree as the winning dog, Toffee was adjudged winner and leading hound of the show. She was walked in Scarteen by Chris and family.

With the rain really belting down, the prize winners were presented with their trophies, followed by refreshments sponsored by the masters. The show made a suitable opening for autumn hunting the following morning.