Sunday 23rd April 2023

Frome Showground, Somerset

Judges: Laurence Winter & Sarah Meadham

Slipper: George Sell

Well, that was a truly epic meeting I know I won't be able to cover even a fraction of!

Frome Showground was a new venue for us, and it has probably the best access and parking of any ground we have been to. The hard standing would be a huge benefit for meetings in a wetter spell. But perhaps I should modify 'best access', it was great until an RTA right at the field entrance caused such enormous tail backs a few of our unlucky members were severely delayed.

The field itself had a few of its own challenges. There were some deep holes that the team had to work round when laying courses. The grass was fairly long and thick with wildflower. While it wasn't tall enough to stop the dogs seeing the lure, it did alter how spectators viewed the course. Having watched runs from the viewing area, the foot of the judge tower and atop it, I can say that the only way to truly see all the pulleys and turns was from above.

The meadow also gave our photographers a few difficulties, with getting cameras focused on dogs and not the grass. But while their task may have been tough, the results that have been shared are exquisite and made all the better by the peppering of yellow dandelions. Thank you, Elizabeth, Martin & Lina.

The weather brought four seasons in one day, at times warm and sunny but getting increasingly cold and windy. Luckily the rain held off for much of the day and the hail was contained to a brief shower.

The first round was 560 yards and the hardest of the three to judge. As I took over to judge the Open stakes, Laurie mentioned how many very close calls there were in the Dog and Bitch stakes. Due to having my own girl entered I missed watching a few of the early runs, but I did get to see Florancy Dark and Stormy (Jonty) make his debut, Harerunner Hasta La Vista (Albin) & Veloxcanis Solis Victor (Fleet) have a tight run, and Harerunner Hurricane Fly win by just one point after a close contest with Phareal No Questions Asked at Runphar (Budd).

As I took my turn on the scaffold tower, I was met straight away by a pair that made me use all my focus and concentration Cheery Violet (Verity) & Ryemeadows Mable (Mabel)! One was up, then the other, and then the other came back in. By the finish Mabel got the red flag by just half a point, that she gained by her very slight lead on the runout.

Wizzywips Heaven Sent (Zephyr) showed a little too much enthusiasm and impatience going in to slips, which appeared to unsettle newcomer Penbriar Rocket Star as she decided to let her run solo. Don't worry Rocket, you will soon be as loopy as the rest, I saw your beautiful cons run which will have boosted your confidence no end.

Loroli Life's A Rollacoasta at Derohan and Sandspring Sea Hawk were inseparable on the runout. Then there were a few dogs who gave away a win that could have been theirs had they just remembered to follow the course at the end as well as the beginning!

The course was reversed for second runs, unfortunately my attempt to make notes all went to pot after the first round, with nothing making sense using a card as a template to follow but minus any names. So mostly I can only give a general comment, that there were fewer tight calls, with several of the dogs not taking advantage of a lead on their partners, skipping turns and missing opportunities to pick up points. A couple memorable moments - Winterfellin Is A Free Elf at Ziradash (Dobby) having a spectacular tumble on a powerful run and yet managing to not give away a single point. 

And a comical episode - Penbriar Dark Secret at Mannerpool (Jack's) rather unique reaction to the lure at the end... 'Do I kill it? Nah, its already dead! And what do whippets do with long-dead things? Roll on them of course!'. Just as well for Katie the lure doesn’t have the same fragrance as a half-rotten seagull.

The raffle was drawn before the finals, and with a big entry came a big table chock full of prizes, thank you everyone who brought something, and a slap on my own wrist for forgetting, so it serves me right I didn’t win anything!

It was brilliant to see some different dogs in the Finals this month, I was particularly pleased to see Laguna Locket's Loved One (Lovell) take his first win and it wasn't an easy one with Spyanfly Swan Song (Peaches) bringing her A game.

Congratulations to Marion & Don Wyatt with 2 stake winners, Silverhare Festive Snowelf (Morris) and Harerunner Hasta La Vista (Albin) plus one runner up, Ryemeadows Mabel (Mabel). What a day for you all!

Thanks to all who came and made it a day to remember, special thanks to the team and guests who do the most vital and tiring roles – lure, quad, slipping & photography.

See you all next month!

Sarah