Surrey Union Hound Show

Our hounds produced unexpected results today in this important precursor to Ardingly. And entered the record books. They won every class that they entered (five), won Champion Doghound (and Reserve Champion) and Champion Bitch too. A quite staggering set of results that had us cheering throughout the day and on the way home too. In fact we're still cheering. Ten other hunts presented hounds and the quality of competition was extremely high, as usual, for the east and south-east packs. The judges were Sophia Peel MFH of the North Cotswold and Charles Frampton of the Portman

In Class 1 for 'Best Unentered Doghound', Derby came 1st and our other entry Dexter was placed 4th. A pretty good start. Swiftly into Class 2 for 'Best Couple of Entered or Unentered Doghounds' where after deliberation bythe judges Bramham and Broadway came away with the 1st placed rosette. Class 3 followed: 'Best Two Couple of Entered or Unentered Doghounds'. Here, against strong competition Rigorous and Ripper and Ringwood and Rifle came 1st. The next class was the culmination of the first half of the day: The Championship for Best Entered or Unentered Doghound. As befitted a vital award, the deliberation was intense and the speculation feverish and ultimately, to great applause, Rigorous was created Champion and the Masters were presented with 'The 'Michael Taylor Perpetual Memorial Trophy for Best Doghound' Derby, by the way was the Reserve Champion, so it was a historic CL&C double. A great moment.

After lunch came the bitch classes and still the excitement did not waver. Sage had warned us not to expect a repeat performance as the afternoon classes would be fiercely contested by packs with far worthier bitches than ours. The judges begged to differ and in Class 5 for Best Unentered Bitch: Devon came 1st and our other only entry Devious came 2nd! Our next class was Class 7: Best Two Couples of Entered or Unentered Bitches. Here Ripple and Righteous and Ribbon and Rizla outshone their rivals to come 1st. Shortly afterwards, The Championship for Best Entered or Unentered Bitch was awarded to Ripple and the Masters were then presented with 'The Boggis Challenge Cup for Best Hound Bitch'

It was a very, very exciting show. Ten hunts were represented in each class, including the Crawley and Horsham who traditionally do so well here. Sage and Nick showed their charges beautifully, who were focused and beautifully poised at all the right moments. Many congratulations again to both. Nigel Peel MFH, a Hound Trustee, was there to see the day unfold as were several puppy walkers, and it was particularly pleasing to see so many CL&C followers there to cheer on our Huntsman, his Kennelman and hounds.