Tradition was the watchword as visitors and villagers enjoyed a welcoming atmosphere at Threlkeld’s long established “dog day” last week.
A good crowd of spectators and competitors enjoyed the sunshine at Wednesday’s event, which started out as sheepdog trials when first held more than 120 years ago but now also incorporates hound, terrier and stick shows and children’s sports.
The show president was Larry Slattery, from Skelton, who ran the nearby White Horse pub for many years, walked hounds for the local Blencathra pack and is a regular at the event. He said: “There’s a very good crowd of visitors and a nice turnout at the sheepdog trials — all in one of the best settings in the Lake District, with Blencathra in the background.”
He added: “It’s a nice family day out, like a good village show, and is as traditional as possible.”
Conducting proceedings in the hound ring was Barry Todhunter, huntsman with the Blencathra pack, who said there had been a tremendous level of competition, with 10 foxhound packs represented, and the atmosphere was very friendly.
Another key official was secretary Marjorie Mattinson, who received a presentation in recognition of the fact she had been running the event for 26 years.
The champion foxhound from a strong field was Blencathra Satin, a four-year-old entered bitch walked by Sue Ellerington, who said her charge was easy going, happy and also well behaved. She added that Satin was the champion hound at Rydal show — a major Lake District occasion.
Also looking well pleased with events was Judd, a lively two-year-old Jack Russell terrier which took the overall championship in the terrier classes. His owner, Graham Hogg, from Egremont, said he had been very lucky to get the terrier from a noted breeder from the Barnsley area who was in the process of retiring.
“He’s a typical terrier, into everything, and has all the right characteristics of the breed,” added Graham. “He was national Jack Russell champion 12 months ago.”
The crooks and sticks drew many admiring comments, with the best exhibit being an ornamental horn headed stick made by 88-year-old Kenny Glendinning, from Blencow. He said he had been making sticks for around 74 years and that his winning entry, featuring a crouching sheepdog, had probably taken him 20 to 30 hours to complete. The horn was from an Angora goat belonging to a neighbour.
Show vice-president Joe Relph said 46 dogs ran in the trials. There had been a few more entries than this, but some handlers had not turned up, probably because they were harvesting in the good weather.
