Another cold day but clear and sunny at the top of Coniston. There was only a modest turnout and just five were slipped in the long puppy trail. The Wilson & Stainton's Shameless went straight to the front and led them out the back of the bell with Les Tyson's Lady Helen in close attendance and coming back past us these two were still closely matched and were having a nip and tuck battle vying for the lead. Denis Peare & Jackie Gill's Rumours was about thirty yards adrift in third but began to make ground as they crossed the track and set out onto the second half. Round the corner onto the finish and Shameless had dropped out and it was now Lady Helen and Rumours more or less together. As the whistles went on Rumours produced a very good turn of foot and pulled clear in the closing stages to triumph in good style by about twenty yards or so in a time of 9.48. Shameless was clear third and her kennelmate and litter sister Baroness was not too far behind in fourth.

 

Seven seniors took to the trail and the former junior champion Habana led out the back of the bell with the others all in a nice line behind. Coming along the trod past the field and Valhalla had taken the initiative ahead of Habana with Langdale Jack twenty yards adrift in third place. Onto the finish and the two principals were closely matched and it was Valhalla that went on to take the spoils by five yards and complee a winning double for Denis and Jackie. George Birkett's Langdale Jack just beat the Wilson & Stainton's Tiagress who had progressed well on the second half for third place and the time was 9.21.

 

There were six puppies for the short trail and the three principals were closely grouped as they turned onto the finish but Les Tyson's Lady Dot produced the best finish to beat Stephen & Shauna Donaldson's Sentall by three lengths with Peter Green's Super Sandy a similar distance behind in third the time was 4.44.

 

Just two seniors on the short trail and the Jeff Rowand trained Bowderdale Billy easily beat Les Tyson's Sovereign in a time of 4.21.

 

   Cobble Hall - Saturday 18th February

 

There were two clear winners today. Stuart, Joanne & James Jeynes' Wistlo Spring (Westgate Kyza - Bonny Lass) was the easy winner of the puppy trail and Malcolm & Stephen Middleton's Ryan's Lad repeated his senior win of Thursday when beating the Jackson's Romulus and Ian Fleet's Red Pike.

 

If anyone can fill us in with further details it would be much appreciated.

 

 

Thank you to Jo Jo Satterthwaite for her report :)

There was a small slip of eight puppies and it was the Crosby & Thompson's Keystone (Westgate Renney - Westgate Ruby) who lead up the back fell with all the bunch following close behind up beside the wall. Coming back into sight it was Colin and Joanna Satterthwaite's Thorn Dolly (Rhinestone Cowboy - Spot On) who had a lead over Keystone. When they showed around the fell corner dropping in Thorn Dolly was still in front but as they got further down the fell the leader ran off into the screes, putting herself completely out of contention and it was Tony & Marlene Irving's Lingbeck Orion (Centenary - Momento) who came through to take the honours with Keystone second and Les & Pat Black's Canny Girl (Huntsman's Dazzler - Jenny's Pride) third. The rest of the bunch were not too far behind

.

There were around ten old dogs and as they came around the top corner on the finish it was the Jackson, Loan & Smith's Colleen in front. They all ran on but then corrected themselves coming over the crag's as everyone took a gasp.... and in the end it was Colleen who beat kennelmate Corrina with the Black's Canny Lass taking third.

 

 

The slip of the bitch pups race

Fine but bitterly cold at Kendal and there was an excellent turn out with the best part of 70 dogs in action during the afternoon. First up were the bitch pups and there was a good slip of 19. As they set off they spilt into two groups with some going right handed but most of the eventually got themselves away and going along the back of the wall out of our sight it was the Wilson & Stainton partner's Shameless that took the initiative. The next time you see them they are dropping in towards the finish and there were three clear. Patrick & Jane Laidler & Co's Janet (Westgate Renney - Westgate Ruby) led from Les Tyson's Lady Helen (Sovereign - Moon River) and these two had a few yards over Shameless (Westgate Kyza - Bonny Lass). Coming into the bottom and they remained in this order but Shameless began to make ground on the leaders and in a desperately close race Baz decided that Janet had just held on to beat Lady Helen with the fast finishing Shameless taking third. These three had a good lead. The time was 12.30.

 

First three bitches - Janet in middle, Lady Helen on far side and Shameless nearest to camera - thank you to Alec for the photo

Patrick Laidler with Janet

Next up were the dog pups and eight went to post. They fared much better on the way out and going along the back of the wall it was the Wilson, Stainton & Pimbley's Uptown Girl (who had come back in the bitches) that took up the running ahead of her litter brothers Jimmy Nick and Full House. Onto the finish and once again Denise & Ben Bland & Dennis Barrow's Huntsman's Hope demonstrated his good hunting ability when coming home in splendid isolation in a time of 12.00. He was the only finisher but most of the others came around with the old dogs.

Jenny with Huntsman's Hope

 

The seniors were also split into two races and in the first leg 29 took their chances. It was a good race going up the back of the wall with plenty vying for the lead but when they showed on the finish Jayne & Mark Petersen & the Oldcorn family's Cavendish had a handy lead which he maintained to the line to beat Reg Smith's Artiste in good style. The Lyon family's Black Eyed Pea took third place and the time was 8.35.

 

In the second leg there were twelve runners and it was Cavendish's older brother Cannavaro that led them out on the start. Coming into sight on the finish and the Pawley, Burrow, Hodgson & Bell's Desire had taken the advantage ahead of the Laidler's Hey Jude with Cannavaro in third and as they came into the bottom Hey Jude just got the upperhand and despite the best efforts of Desire to get back on terms the Windermere two year old held on to take the spoils by half a length and complete a kennel double for Patrick and Jane.

 

Please keep your raffle tickets as it will be drawn next Saturday.

 

Thank you to James McClellan for his report and Glenis Farren for timekeeping and judging :)

 

The pups were again split into two races and first up were the dog pups. There were 12 runners and climbing up the side of the fence Tuesday's winner Take a Look led from Wistlo Spring. Coming back into sight and three had pulled clear, the Jeynes family's Wistlo Spring led from Terence McVeigh's Discard and the McClellan & Irving's Take a Look. Discard finished well to come through and take the honours in a time of 10.48.

Next were the bitches and 16 went to post. As they climbed up by the fence the Crosby's Acacia was setting the pace. Onto the finish and Joe Fearon & Brian Rowlandson's homebred youngster Out of the Blue had pulled clear and she won in handy style. Paul Byers & Maurice Bewley's Midnight Show came a clear second with the Jackson's Spartan taking third. The winner clocked a time of 12.01.

Twenty seven old dogs were slipped and the Middleton's Ryans Lad had a few yards climbing up onto the finish and still had a few yards from Zeddicus and Da Look dropping in. In the end Ryans Lad won by about ten yards with Da Look getting up to be second and Zeddicus once again third. The time was 10.02.

 

 

Back to Cobble Hall (this time with my wellies haha!) and there was another very good turn out of both pups and old dogs. Once again the pups were split and the bitches went first. Twenty took their chances and as they set off to climb up the back of the fence shortly after the start the Crosby's Acacia was driving with Cape Town and Uptown Girl giving chase. Heading for the finish and Cape Town had taken the advatage but she missed the jump at the top fence and as they began to drop in it was the Henderson's Hurry On that took the initiative. Turning to come through the whinny bushes and Hurry On came out too far up and it was Yvonne, Alan, Nick & Trisha Wilson, Steph Stainton & Alice Pimbley's Uptown Girl that came to the fore and from here the Kentmere bitch pulled clear and went on to win by twenty yards or so. Her kennel mate and litter sister Cape Town came through to take second with another sister Shameless taking third and completing a 1-2-3 for the Westgate Kyza - Bonny Lass brood. The time was 11.40.

 

Steph with Uptown Girl, Yvonne with Cape Town and Nick & Tia with Shameless

 

Nineteen lined up for the dogs race and once again James McClellan & Steven Irving's Take a Look (Westgate Renney - Westgate Ruby) caught the eye putting in an impressive performance and coming home a very long way clear of the chasing bunch. Terence McVeigh's Discard (Nightshadow - Bluebird) took second place ahead of the Henderson's Get Up (Westgate Kyza - Dignity) and the time was 11.47.

 

James with Take a Look

 

In the 29 strong senior trail, Mal & Anne Reay's Zeddicus once again led down into the closing stages but teh Jackson's Romulus and the McClellan's Da Look both passed him on the run to the line and Romulus just denied James & Steven a winning double. The time was 10.16.

 

 

There were nine pups and it was a close race between the first three but Colin & Joanna Sattherthwaite's Thorn Dolly just got the verdict ahead of one of Mal & Ann Reay's Brookdale - Miss Molly pups and Mick & Cyn Moorhead's Jimmy Nick.

 

Brian Atkinson's Trinder emerged victorious in the senior trail.

 

 

Thank you to Cathy Lister for her report

There were 13 hounds in both races. The Bland & Barrow's Huntsman's Hope was the only finisher in the puppy trail putting in a good solo effort and recording a time of 14.23. The rest all made there way back via the start. In the senior trail, the McGee's two year old Silver Moon took the honours when beating the O'Brien family's Our Vic in a time of 11.00.

 

 

A welcome return to action after the recent wintry spell and the conditions were fairly pleasant at Cobble Hall (if a little muddy ha ha). There was a large turn out of pups so they were split into two races. The bitches went first and 22 lined up to take their chances. They were in a nice line climbing out onto the top and they were going well but they must've had a miss as several came back after a few minutes. However, the majority worked it out and we got a view of them from further up the road swinging in towards the finish under the forestry. At this stage there were six together being led by Shameless and Uptown Girl. We dashed back along to finish and by the time they showed again on the top the leading bunch had been reduced to three. Uptown Girl led as they dropped in from Shameless and Rumours and they handled the turn well to come into the closing stages. Denis Peare & Jackie Gill's Rumours, who is currently being trained by Ian Donaldson took the lead part way down and in the end it was very close between her and the fast finishing Uptown Girl owned by Yvonne, Alan, Nick & Trish Wilson, Steph Stainton & Alice Pimbley. Shameless was close up in third and these three were well clear of the rest. The time was 13.21.

 

Next up were the dog pups and there was a slip of sixteen. As they climbed out it was the Henderson's Get Up leading the way closely followed by Mick Moorhead's Jimmy Nick and James McClellan & Steven Irving's Take a Look. When they came on the finish Take a Look had drawn right away from his rivals and he strolled home to win by a distance in a time of 12.20. In a close race for the minor places Stephen & Shauna Donaldson's Sental just claimed second place ahead of Terence McVeigh's Discard and Joe Fearon & Brian Rowlandson's Jupiter.

There was a large slip of 40 or more seniors and as they showed on the top heading for the finish three had drawn clear. Mal & Anne Reay's two year old Zeddicus had a few yards lead and held his advantage to beat the McClellan & Irving's Da Look and Dennis Reay's Hunter's Rose in a time of  

 

Thanks to Wendy Dawson for info

 

Lovely winters day, snow on the ground with great seeing.  A great sight to see were the deer which appeared on the trail.  Two pup trails were run. In the dogs it was Denise Bland & Denis Barrow's home bred Huntsman's Hero who took the spoils with Alec and Jackie Steele's Full House taking second and Billy Birkett's  The Last Man taking third place.

Jenny with Huntsmans Hero winner of dog puppy trail.

Bitch puppies Margaret Baxter's Fram took the win narrowly from Joe and Nessa Simpson & Carol McGoldrick's Calypso with the Mellon/Airey/Pattinson's youngster Crack the Whip taking third place.

Margaret Baxter with Fram winner of the bitch puppies

The senior was won by Malcolm and Anne Holmes' Sundown who beat Lloyd, Louise and Liam's Dizzee Rascal and John and Val Loans Jacob McClink.

Malcolm Holmes with Sundown winner of Senior Trail

 

Seniors : 1. Red Pike 2. Canny Lass 3. Artisan

Pups : 1. Assert 2 Canny Girl 3. Capetown 4. Endeavour 5. Uptown Girl 16 ran

 

Wintry but soft going, both races seem to run it well, pups 16 runners slipped then on the hill, 6-7 of the runners didn't run to the open gate instead they jumped the fence 100 yards down from the gate. 12 of the 16 runners seem to be running ok below lords seat, again 2-3 of them ran on when coming onto the finish. Into the last field and 5 pups came charging down the finish field which were Reg Smith's Assert. Les & Pat Black's Canny Girl, the Wilson, Stainton & Pimbley's Capetown, Keith Lynch & Darren McMaster's Endeavour and Yvonne and Alan Wilson and Co's other charge Uptown Girl.

In the senior trail there were also 16 runners and as in the puppy race they all ran it well. Canny Lass and Artisan came to the fore on the finish leading in a bunch of five or six, 5 or 6 where on the finish together (missed what they all where for watching for my own) time 9.43

 

Thank you to Jo Jo for her report

 

This week it was wet at times and very windy on the Old Man but once again there was good support and a nice slip of 12 youngsters for the long pup trail. As they set off up the back of the bell it was the Bland & Barrow's pair Jenny's Rascal and Huntsman's Hope leading the way and these two were still prominent as they came past us at the half way stage. Also in the leading group at this point were the Steele's Cinders, the Peare & Gill's Rumours and Margaret Baxter's Fram. Rounding the corner onto the finish and the Patterdale based duo were still first and second and Jenny's Rascal ran on very well to take the spoils by ten yards or so in a time of 9.49. Fram and Rumours both finished well and overtook Huntsman's Hope coming out the dip to take second and third places respectively.

 

Jenny's Rascal strolls to victory in the puppy trail

There were also twelve runners in the senior trail and Jenny's other charge Jenny's Dream had the Pawley, Burrow, Hodgson & Bell's Della for company as they went up the back of the bell. However, there were plenty of others in behind and when they came back through in front of us 'Snoopy' still led but was now being chased by the Oldcorn & Petersen's Pip's Lad and George Birkett's Langdale Jack and these three had begun to pull away a little. Onto the finish and these three were closely grouped but when the whistles went on both Pip's Lad and Langdale Jack drew clear and it was the former that went on to repeat last weekend's win by a few yards. His litter brother Cancellara came through well to take third place ahead of the tiring Jenny's Dream. The time was 9.15.

 

Pip's Lad beats Langdale Jack in the senior trail

In the short puppy trail there was a scale just after the slip and the majority of the eight runners struck the finishing end and proceeded round the long trail the wrong way. Once they got on it four of them ran it well and it was Geoff & Barbara Jones Moonlight that led throughout, barely putting a foot wrong and the Ulverston bitch went on to beat Norman & Lynn Brown's Misty Bay by ten yards with Margaret Baxter's Freya a similar distance adrift in third place. The only other finisher was Ray Rowand & Helen Farrer's Mystic Meg and the time was 11.35. 

 

The 15 seniors on the short trail fared rather better and the Sanders, Pounder & Appleby's Simply Rascal completed her hat trick - winning over this distance for the third time in as many weeks - when pulling clear to beat Norman & Lynn Brown's Annie's Bay by fifteen yards with the winners kennelmate Dizzee Rascal just holding on to take third place. The time was 4.20.

 

The puppy trail resulted in a very easy win for the very promising Troutbeck bitch Shameless which is owned by the Wilson & Stainton partner's. The daughter of Westgate Kyza & Bonny Lass finished a long way clear of the chasing bunch who were very closely grouped and it was very difficult to tell which had finished second and third.

In the senior trail, the Towers' Delahoya took the honours ahead of Phil Graham's Jimmy Choo and the Wilson, Westmorland & Stainton's Habana.

 

 

It was cold and clear at Coniston and the views across the lake were spectacular. In the long puppy trail, 11 hounds went to post and as they set off up the back of the bell - the Crosby & Thompson's Acacia took the lead and went out at the top with a few yards advantage. From here they had run on a bit and after a little detour up the fell they righted themselves and as they came back past us at the half way stage it was the Bland & Barrow's pair Jenny's Rascal and Huntsman's Hope were leading the way ahead of Les Tyson's Lady Helen. When they showed again on the finish they overshot the turn and instead of coming round the corner towards us they went to their right and disappeared over the skyline. However, once again they soon righted themselves and when they came back there were several in with winning chances. Dropping into the final dip, Acacia and Jenny's Rascal were closely matched but it was the former that got the verdict by about a length and the winning time was 10.35. Denis Peare & Jackie Gill's Rumours was close up in third place.  

 

Finish of long puppy trail

Lisa and Courteney with winning puppy Acacia

Ten hounds took their chances in the long senior trail and it was Jenny Bland's Jenny's Dream that once again led in the early stages. However, when they came through the fell in front of us he had been passed by younger kennelmate Huntsman's Gambler and these two had pulled clear of the Oldcorn & Petersen's Pip's Lad, George Birkett;s Langdale Jack and the Petersen & Oldcorn's Cancellara who in turn were clear of the rest. Onto the finish and Jenny's Dream had once again taken the initiative narrowly ahead of Langdale and Pip's Lad. The last named produced a very good turn of foot to come through and hit the front going into the dip and he ran on well to take the spoils by a couple of lengths in a time of 9.26. Langdale also finished well to take second with 'Snoopy' third.

 

Kay Oldcorn with winning senior Pip's Lad

There was a good slip of fifteen youngsters in the short puppy trail and it was the Wilson, Stainton & Pimbley's Uptown Girl that was the early leader. Round the corner onto the finish and there were five with a few yards advantage. Les Tyson's Lady Dot led into sight and ran on well to hold off the challenge from both Reg Smith's Assert and the aforementioned Uptown Girl by about five yards. The time was 4.51.

The finish of the short puppy trail

Les Tyson's Lady Dot winner of the short puppy trail

Finally, there were thirteen hounds in the short senior trail and it resulted in a win for the Sanders, Pounder & Appleby's Simply Rascal. The two year old tracked the Petersen & Oldcorn's Cavendish onto the finish and then produced her trademark turn of foot to hit the front half way along and go on and win by ten yards in a time of 4.11. The Jeff Rowand trained Bowderdale Billy also finished well to overhaul Yvonne & Alan Wilson's Toytown in the closing stages and take third place. 

Louise with Simply Rascal - short trail senior winner for past two weekends

A slip of fourteen youngsters in the puppy trail and five of them pulled along way clear of the rest as they climbed their way up the fell.The same quintet were still contesting the lead as they dropped in for the finish and in a close race the Henderson's Wigton based dog hound Get Up (Westgate Kyza - Dignity) just got the verdict ahead of Carole Harrison's border bred bitch Chicharito (Newman - Silver Birch). Colin Satterthwaite's Thorn Dolly (Rhinestone Cowboy - Spot On) was close up in third place with the Crosby & Thompson's Acacia (Westgate Kyza - Bonny Lass) fourth and the Henderson's other charge Hurry On (Westgate Kyza - Dignity) fifth. The time was just over 11 minutes.

In the senior trail the first two, Tony & Marlene Irving's Lingbeck Shadow and Joanna Satterthwaite's Thorn Girl overshot the finish and ran down to the road allowing Phil Graham's Jimmy Choo through to be first to the bait tins. There were ten runners.

 

The pups line up for the long trail

A misty and damp afternoon for the first of the Coniston series which are kindly put on every year by Tant & Victor Inman. Ten pups were slipped in the longer length trail and I think it is fair to say that they have rarely run it as well first time round. Jenny Bland's Jenny's Rascal was leading the way coming through in front of us just ahead of kennelmate Huntsman's Hope which is owned by Jenny's mother Denise and grandfather Dennis and these were closely followed by the Wilson, Westmorland & Stainton's pair Shameless and Uptown Girl and at this stage these four had begun to pull away a little. Crossing the track and going out onto the second half they had bunched up again somewhat but the afore-mentioned quartet had drawn clear again by the time they turned onto the finish and having led for much of the way Jenny's Rascal (Huntsman's Dazzler - Jenny's Pride) ran on well to beat her kennelmate and litter brother by ten yards. The Shap Summit winner Shameless (Westgate Kyza - Bonny Lass) came through to take third just ahead of litter sister Uptown Girl who had come out of the last dip upsides the winner but threw away her chance by running a little wide. The time was 10.21.

Jenny with Jenny's Rascal

There were twelve seniors and the four year old Jenny's Dream also owned by Jenny Bland took the lead going up the back of the bell and he was still in front when he came back past us through the fell. John & James Oldcorn's Eno was in hot pursuit along with the Wilson, Stainton & Pimbley's partner's puppy Capetown (Westgate Kyza - Bonny Lass) and the Petersen & Oldcorn's Cavendish and these four had drawn clear of the others. Going away from us onto the second half and Capetown moved up into second place and by the time they showed on the finish the youngster had pulled some thirty yards clear but she missed the turn and handed the initiative back to Jenny's Dream who was then passed by Eno as they came out of the final dip. Cavendish ran on well into third and the eyecatching Capetown recovered to finish fourth. The winning time was 9.15.

In the short puppy trail eight youngsters took their chances and the Wilson, Stainton & Clough's Baroness (Westgate Kyza - Bonny Lass) got away shortly after the start when the remainder ran up to the left and put a circle in instead of bearing down to their right. From here the Troutbeck youngster ran on well and came home well clear to win easily in a time of 5.11. Her litter brother Jimmy Nick owned by Mick & Cynthia Moorhead came through to take second place just ahead of Ray Rowand & Helen Farrer's Mystic Meg (Brookdale - Miss Molly).

Steph catches Baroness

Steph & Tia with Baroness winner of the short puppy trail

Last but not least there were 15 runners in the short senior trail and it resulted in a win for the Saunders, Pounder & Appleby's two year old Simply Rascal who came home twenty yards clear of Les Tyson's Sovereign and Jeff Rowand's Bowderdale Billy who in turn had a few yards on the rest. The time was 4.15.

The weather was kind - cold but clear and a new trail was laid to the ones held in previous weeks at the top of Shap. The hounds were in sight virtually all the way and the 18 pups handled it very well and never put a foot wrong. The race was dominated by the former senior champion Westgate Kyza's offspring and it was Nick, Tricia & Yvonne Wilson, Steph & Tia Stainton's Shameless (Westgate Kyza - Bonny Lass) that took up the running from the half way stage and from here was never headed. The Troutbeck youngster had a hundred yard lead turning for home but tumbled in the heather allowing her pursuers to catch up but she regained her momentum and pulled away again in the closing stages going on to triumph in very impressive style by twenty yards. David & Joyce Wood's Two Tone (Westgate Kyza - Different Class) was second just ahead of Alec & Jackie Steele's Cinders (Westgate Kyza - Cracking Thore). The time was 7.38.

Nick Wilson with the puppy winner Shameless

In the eleven strong senior trail the early leader was the Bland & Barrow's Huntsman's Gambler but he was passed by the Airey, Mellon & Pattinson's Crcaking Performer as they climbed out of the bottoms. These two were being tracked by the Pawley, Burrow, Hodgson & Bell's Desire as they turned for home and the Kentmere bitch took the lead for the first time as they came onto the finish. After a nip and tuck battle in the closing stages, Desire just got the verdict by half a length over Cracking with Les & Pat Black's Canny Lass just beating the Wilson, Stainton & Wstmorland's Habana for third place. The time was 7.34.

Misty and murky on the top of Shap but much warmer than last weekend thank goodness! Another good turn out and it was the dog pups turn to go first. Fourteen went to the slip but because of the mist viewing was much reduced and the first sighting we got was coming along the trod heading for the finish. Mick Moorhead's Jimmy Nick (Westgate Kyza - Bonny Lass) had pulled well clear of his rivals and he ran on well to win very easily for his delighted owner in a very good time of 7.39. His litter brother, Full House owned by Alec & Jackie Steele finished in second place a few yards ahead of David Wood's Westgate Kyza - Different Class pair, one of which is owned by Reg Bell.

Mick Moorhead with the dogs winner Jimmy Nick

There were twelve bitches and they got well split up - Malcolm & Anne Holmes' Stand On (Rhinestone Cowboy - Spot On) was the easy winner coming home well clear of Les Tyson's Lady Dot (Sovereign - Moon River) who in turn was well ahead of the Wilson, Westmorland, Stainton & Pimbley's Uptown Girl (Westgate Kyza - Bonny Lass). The time was 8.08.

Malcolm Holmes with the bitches winner Stand On

In the senior trail, fifteen took their chances and it was Russell & Wendy Dawson's three year old Ooh La La! that led into sight and maintained her advantage to beat the Pawley, Burrow, Hodgson & Bell's Desire by a couple of lengths in a time of 7.19. These two were thirty yards clear of the Wilson, Stainton & Westmorland's Habana.

Thank you to Phil Graham for his report

Wet conditions but good turnout, ten pups, eleven old dogs and a bookmaker??
Pups first and they all went out well. Into sight just below the Lords Seat and they were going well and in good time. Then there was a couple of circles put in but they all corrected themselves. Into sight on the finish and the two Bland runners Huntsman's Hope and Jenny's Rascal were both prominent but they ran on a bit along the back of the fence instead of turning down. Through the last gate five pups were all in with a shout, down the finish and Denis Peare & Jackie Gill's Rumours (Fleetwood Mac - Sensation) finished well to be first into the bucket in a time of 10.58.

Eleven old dogs were slipped and going out a couple of them swayed over onto the Wythop pup trail but they soon corrected themselves and rejoined the race, into sight under Lords Seat two hounds had a good lead and were shifting through the gears,

Onto the finish and there was one well clear, Phil Graham's Jimmy Choo (formerly Huntsman's Glyder) came flying down the finish to win in impressive style in a time of 9.15.

All money raised is going to sponsor Sarah Emmatts proposed world challange expedition in 2013.

The first of the Oulton series of trials and there was a very healthy slip of twenty nine pups. Going along the beck edge, the Henderson's Get Up and Keith Lynch & Darren McMaster's Endeavour (both bred by Westgate Kyza - Dignity) gained a few yards lead but as they went up towards the hill they were joined by Carole Harrisons Border bred bitch Chicharito. Get Up led across the road and into the wood with the other two still in close order but when they came out they had dropped Endeavour and Get Up maintained his advantage all the way up the finish to win by two or three lengths. Denis Peare & Jackie Gill's Rumours (Fleetwood Mac - Sensation) finished well to come from out of the chasing bunch and take third place.

There were 13 senior runners and this race resulted in a win for Gary Woodend & Denis Allison’s Patchy Mist who led through the bottoms and maintained his advantage to beat Keith Lynch & Darren McMaster’s pair Endurance and Crusader.

Another excellent turn out for the Traditional Boxing day meeting at Kendal and thank you to everyone for their support - a grand total of £110 was raised for Sandgate School.

The pups line up and set off

Twenty two pups lined up to take their chances and as they jumped the first wall and went onto the fell they had a bit of a scale and some of them ran along the back of the wall and returned to the trail field. The others sorted it out and it was the Bland & Barrow's Huntsman's Hope (Huntsman's Dazzler - Jenny's Pride) that went to the front with the Wilson, Westmorland, Stainton & Pimbley's Uptown Girl (Westgate Kyza - Bonny Lass) for company. These two were still prominent when they next came into sight approaching the finish and after a nip and tuck battle it was the former that just took the spoils by a length or so with Margaret Baxter's Fram (Huntsman's Dazzler - Halloween) close up in third place.

Denise Bland with Huntsman's Hope

Some of the pups that had come back were slipped again with the seniors and this boosted the number of runners to 24. Another good race developed and John & James Oldcorn's Eno and Jayne & Mark Petersen and co's Cavendish were closely matched as they showed on the finish and the first named narrowly took the honours again by about a length. The Wilson, Westmorland, Stainton & Pimbley's puppy Capetown (Westgate Kyza - Bonny Lass) put in a very promising performance to take third place only a few yards behind the two principles.

James Oldcorn with Eno and Jayne Petersen with Cavendish

It was windy and cold at the top of Shap but the hardy hound trailers braved the elements and there was a very good turn out of both followers and hounds. The pups were split into two races for bitches and dogs and the fairer sex were slipped first. There were 22 runners and as they set off across the heather and onto the fell the Wilson & Westmorland & Stainton's four representatives who have run well at Staveley Head recently were all prominent as was Carole Harrison's Chicharito. They were running it well as we watched them go through under the skyline but unfortunately they had a scale before dropping in and they struck it the wrong way and most of them returned to the start. However, all credit to the Mellon, Airey & Pattinson's Crack the Whip (Sovereign - Moon River) who stuck to her task gamely and sorted it out and she came home a good distance clear of her kennelmate Cracking Moment (Westgate Kyza - Cracking Thore) to complete a 1-2. These two were the only finishers.

The eleven dogs were slipped the opposite way round and as they set off the Henderson's Get Up (Westgate Kyza - Dignity) and Mick Moorhead's Jimmy Nick (Westgate Kyza - Bonny Lass) were setting the pace and as they progressed through the fell and dropped into the bottom these two had pulled clear of the others by eighty yards. Climbing back out of the other side and Jimmy Nick was still prominent but now had Mal & Ann Reay's Brookdale - Miss Molly product for company but the Bland & Barrow's Huntsman's Hope (Huntsman's Dazzler - Jenny's Pride) and the Henderson's charge were giving chase and as they appeared on the finish these four were all closely grouped. Get Up proved strongest in the closing stages and he went on to win by a few yards from Jimmy Nick with Huntsman's Hope taking third, the time was 7.31.

Some of the bitches were then slipped again the other way round and this time 13 took their chances. Chicharito led them in the early stages but she made a mistake climbing out towards the point. This left a group of four hounds clear and it was Jenny Bland's Jenny's Rascal (Huntsman's Dazzler - Jenny's Pride) that led onto the finish but she was overhauled in the closing stages by Margaret Baxter's Fram (Huntsman's Dazzler - Halloween) who finished strongly to narrowly take the honours. The Crosby & Thompson partner's pair were third and fourth with Acacia (Westgate Kyza - Bonny Lass) coming home ahead of Keystone (Westgate Renney - Westgate Ruby). The winning time was 7.38.

There was a small field of just four seniors and it was Dusty Hare that took the spoils to complete a double for Margaret Baxter. The veteran hound pulled away to beat the Bland & Barrow's Huntsman's Echo by twenty yards with the Mellon, Airey & Pattinson's Cracking Thore a similar distance adrift in third.

The final of three open trials at this venue and we would like to thank everyone who has supported us - we raised a total of £75 for the Pride of Cumbria Air Ambulance. The Kentmere HTC would also like to thank their sponsors, trailers, gate-keepers, raffle sellers, scouts and entry takers for their help throughout 2011. It was another successful season and the profits raised from the trails at Staveley Head, Kentmere Hall (2) and Millriggs were donated to Kentmere Sheep Show (£100) who held their first event in August since foot and mouth and Kentmere First Responders (£75). 

There was a slip of eleven pups and it was Yvonne & Alan Wilson & Alice Pimbley's Uptown Girl that led for much of the way and she was chased by her kennelmate Capetown in the early stages and they were joined by the Wilson, Westmorland & Stainton's pair Shameless and Baroness as they turned to drop down onto the finish. The quartet were closely matched crossing the bridge and into the closing stages but once again Capetown produced a very good turn of foot on the finish to take the spoils by a few yards with Uptown Girl second, Shameless third and Baroness fourth. Mick Moorhead's Jimmy Nick was fifth completing a clean sweep of the first five places for the Westgate Kyza - Bonny Lass litter. The time was 5.22.

Rob & Tina Airey, Bill Mellon & John Pattinson's two year old Cracking Performer put in a good solo effort in the senior trail, thoroughly enjoying himself and completing in a time of 5.52. Well done Rex!

Saturday's trial had to be cancelled due to snow and frost but the cold snap was short lived and overnight rain meant they could be re-scheduled for the morning after. Unfortunately the mist was down so viewing was restricted which was a shame as usually you can see them virtually all the way round. There was a good slip of 15 pups and as they headed for the first wall half took the jump in their stride and the others ran up it again before coming back onto the trail and getting themselves away. The conditions only allowed us to see them in the last fifty yards and it was Wendy Martin & Malcolm Middleton's Selside youngster Believe (Westgate Kyza - Dignity) that emerged out of the gloom and she had pulled a hundred yards clear of her rivals to take the spoils in very good style. There was a good race for the other places with Yvonne & Alan Wilson & Alice Pimbley's Capetown (Westgate Kyza - Bonny Lass) again producing a quick turn of foot on the finish to come through and take second just ahead of Denise Bland & Dennis Barrow's Huntsman's Hope (Huntsman's Dazzler - Jenny's Pride) with Capetown's kennelmate and litter sister Uptown Girl fourth. The time was 5.45.

Eight seniors were then slipped and it was Jayne & Mark Petersen & the Oldcorn family's Cavendish that led down out of the mist and the Askam four year old ran on well to beat the fast finishing Pip's Lad - owned by Michael, Chris, Kay, Shauna & Tyler Oldcorn by ten yards or so with Jenny Bland's Jenny's Dream just passing Cancellara in the closing stages to take third. The time was 5.32.

Sorry for the lack of photographs - my camera batteries were dead!

An excellent turn out for the first of three charity trials in aid of the Pride of Cumbria Air Ambulance. Many thanks to all for their support and to Rin who donated an top quality headtorch for the raffle which was won by Denis Peare. Rin Colombi and his friend Ben are in the process of making a ten minute film about hound trailing which they are entering in the Kendal Film Festival and their aim is to raise the profile of our sport and attract some sponsors.

Capetown on the left will come through to pip kennelmate Uptown Girl with Huntsman's Hope in third place (fab photo Jayne)

Twenty four pups lined up and there was a bit of a schmozzle at they first wall as most off them ran along it to the left instead of jumping. However the Bland & Barrow's trio made no mistake and went straight over and in doing so gained quite a good advantage. The others got themselves righted and away and by the time they had turned to follow the back of the wall on the fell the main bunch had caught the leading trio. Coming off the first half and Wendy Martin & Malcolm Middleton's Westgate Kyza - Dignity bitch was leading the way with Yvonne & Alan Wilson & Alice Pimbley's pair Uptown Girl and Capetown (both Westgate Kyza - Bonny Lass) in hot pursuit and as they progressed these three began to pull away a little bit. At the top of the fell Wendy's charge overshot the turn and jumped over the wall and this left Yvonne's two with the initiative. Uptown Girl led into the closing stages but just veered off slightly in the final strides and this allowed Capetown through to narrowly take the spoils and complete a 1-2 for the Kentmere kennel. The Bland & Barrow's Huntsman's Hope (Huntsman's Dazzler - Jenny's Pride) was close up in third place and the time was 6.25.

First three in the pups from right to left

Yvonne with Capetown, Alan with Uptown Girl and Jenny with Huntsman's Hope

Nine senior hounds were then slipped and Jenny Bland's Jenny's Dream led them a merry dance - leading from start to finish and just holding on to beat the Petersen & Oldcorn's Cavendish by a length with his younger kennelmate Cancellara running a good race to take third place. The time was 6.08.