A competitive hound trail took place on Saturday in the 2020 Bitch Produce held at Helton.

The main event was the bitch pups with 17 on the trail.

Every entry was in with a winning chance of taking the title in a tight battle on the line.

A last second surge saw Robyn, Ellie and Grace Napier’s Lady Ava get up to beat Bill Mellon’s Cracking Last One Two with Brian Graham and Julie Birkinshaw’s Bretton in third. The Napier family were elated to take the title.

The senior trail saw Denise Bland’s Huntsman’s Nimrod stroll to an easy victory ahead of Alan Blacklock’s Babycham and Reg Smith’s Acorn. The competitive senior maidens produced an exciting finish as Brian and Erin Rowlandson and Joe Fearon’s Blue Blaze held off strong competition from Martin and Molly Burrow and Joanna Satterthwaite’s Thorn Fire and Emily Irving’s Overwater Flash.

Three broke clear from the field in the open pups, Graham Reid’s Biff narrowly getting up to beat Laura Steele and Andrew Bulman’s Debonair in second and Linda Neale and Mark Bryden’s Eagle Rock.

The open restricted saw an easy victory for Les and Pat Reid’s Canny Mover ahead of Carol and Stanley Jackson’s Lady Grace and Paul Airey’s Meadow Spot.

Earlier in the week at Oulton, Bland established a one-two in the seniors as Huntsman’s Nimrod beat kennel-mate Huntsman’s Novice with Brian, Erin and Joe’s Blue Blaze in third.

The pups trail saw Robyn, Ellie and Grace’s Foxparke Buggaboo take the victory ahead of Bill’s Cracking Last One Two and Paul’s Meadow Misty. The open non-winners brought delight for Aspatria couple Brian and Joy Lister as their charge Imagine beat Martin, Molly and Joanna’s Thorn Rose as well as Robyn, Ellie and Grace’s Foxparke LOL. Wednesday saw the final fixture in the Lowick series; Bland had a first and third with Jenny’s Oracle and Huntsman’s Major, with Dot Wilding’s Wild Gypsy in second. The remainder of the fixture was cancelled at the request of the farmer after a member of the public had spooked his livestock.

Monday saw a second running of the Kirkland trail; Reg Smith’s Acorn beat in Brian, Erin and Joe’s Blue Blaze with Jonty and Evie’s Crazy in third.

The pup trail saw James and Ava’s Miss Ava beat Brian and Julie’s Young Harry and Robyn, Ellie and Grace’s Foxparke Buggaboo. The open maidens saw Geoff and Gillian Higgin’s Kinniside Dan hold off competition from Martin Molly and Joanna’s in-form Thorn Fire with Robyn, Ellie and Grace’s Foxparke LOL in third.

This Sunday see’s Aspatria and Wigton Area host the Autumn Festival with six £200.00 trails at Stockdale Farm, Uldale. First trail is at 1.00 pm.

Fixtures:

Thurs 24 - Seaton - H, P, OM (H, 4.45)

Sat 26 – Kirkland H,P, OM, OR (H 1.00pm)

Sun 27 – Stockdale Autumn Festival H, M, P, PM, OR, V (H 1.00pm)(£200 trails)

Mon 28 – Kirkland H, P, OM (4.45) 3 trailers will be used.

Tues 29 – Buttermere - H, P, OR (H, 4.45pm)

Hound trailing lost one of it’s long time followers on Friday. Gillian Thompson from Flookburgh was a life long member from Ulverston Area. Gillian along with husband John and daughter Louise had much success over the years. Gillian funeral will take place next Wednesday at Beetham Crematorium.