The Burton Hunt Country Fair

A local Lurcher & Fun Show

A Typical Ringfull of Dogs!

Rosettes from The Lincolnshire Showground

After the minimal preparation for the midday local show, we arrived in warm, if cloudy weather. On arrival we found we had to park some distance from the showring. However, when I went to the entrance gate, and said we had come for the dog show, we were directed to the competitors gate, with free entry; rather a friendly welcoming.

I had not come here with very high expectations, and was still a bit irked I had to miss my friends show. Fate's fickle habit of holding the only 2 Lurcher shows of the year so far on the same day just seems to rub it in a little too much. However, there were highlights to come.

Being there in plenty of time meant I could meet the few people I knew there, and although living locally, I only see at these events. The day was warming up, and I had regretted leaving all my drinks in the van. The Lurcher show was due to start soon, and there was plenty of time before the family dog show, starting an hour later. I waited...and waited. The show eventually started, nearly half an hour late. The judge was also taking a long time over the small classes. After a while, I moved to the shade of a tree, and found someone interesting to talk to. Engrossed in conversation, I realized our class was in the ring. I entered late, after the dogs had been paraded, but I just knew, as soon as he felt under his tail we would be discounted. He did not even give us another glance.

Coming out the ring, I dashed back to the van for a drink, and returned to find the family dog show had started, and were on class 2. We could only enter class 1 and 9. I had not been away that long, so our classes must have clashed. This was a pity, as I recognized the lady judge from a Lurcher show last year. Although she had not judged Barney, she had commented on him when talking to us later. Another long wait, to the next and last class we could enter, the fun class The dog the judge would like to take home. This is usually a very well subscribed class, and today was no exception. We entered the crowded ring, and were quickly awarded second place...and I had fully expected to be going home with nothing.

While waiting, we had befriended a man with a Lurcher who had come with some children who were relatives. They were in the pony competitions. This is the country fair of the Burton Hunt, and so is a very horsy affair. We walked round the trade stands again, and noticed some activity in the main ring. I had been told terrier racing was to be held here. We walked over and found a very friendly group of people having some informal, fun races. I paid for a collar to let Barney have a run. The collars are different colours, to identify the winning dog at the other end. Lurchers are normally required to wear a muzzle, but as these were not aggressive racing dogs, and no one was bothering.

We ran Barney with some more large dogs, overweight labs among them. There was however a fit greyhound that beat him on the relatively short run. A little later, the man operating the event suggested we move back a little farther, when we saw he had some interested and competitive dogs taking part. The first time I mistakenly released Barney early, so he easily won. This 'mistake' was probably the best motivation I could have given him, bearing in mind he was running unmuzzled, and so could get the reward of the stuffed toy used on the lure. We decided to have a re-run, as people were enjoying it, and getting into the spirit of the event. 2 other Lurcher spectators were encouraged to give their dogs a run. We all released perfectly, and Barney streaked down the short course, beating the fit looking greyhound, and the other inexperienced Lurchers, so winning his first race.

So a disappointing day had been turned around, and we came home after making new friends, and a race win. Great.