Cullybackey Open Show – The annual 3 in 1 Open Show took place in the local clubrooms on Saturday 16th December, fanciers again travelled from across the country giving support and the judges travelled from Coleraine. Sean Diamond the big chief of the North Coast Classic One Loft Race was joined by T McCrudden, W Murdoch, P O’Connor , and T Scott. Show sponsors this year were Hayes Garage Cullybackey , Henry McLoughlan, Blue Sky pigeons, Beatties feeds, Top Flight, and Pennybridge Accounting. Chairman Neil Anderson thanked all the sponsors, those who supplied prizes, the judges and all those who had supported the event and he congratulated all the winners. Best in Show and Most Points was won by T & K Mawhinney while Best Opposite Sex was won by W & N Gilbert from Ballymena & District. For the local club J & J Greer had the Red Card in the Old Bird Eye-sign and J McNaghten & Son were the winners in Young Bird Handled. Results: Old Bird Through Wires – 1st W & N Gilbert, 2nd V Montgomery, 3rd, VHC & Commended T & K Mawhinney, 4th A Neill, Reserve C McIntyre, HC J McNaghten & Son. Old Bird Handled – 1st, 2nd, 4th & HC T & K Mawhinney, 3rd W & N Gilbert, Reserve & VHC V Montgomery, Commended F Simpson. Old Bird Eye-sign – 1st J & J Greer, 2nd & HC W & N Gilbert, 3rd & Reserve D Swann, 4th F Simpson, VHC & Commended B Herbison. Young Bird Through Wires – 1st, 2nd & HC T & K Mawhinney, 3rd & Reserve B Herbison, 4th & VHC J McNaghten & Son, Commended D Swann. Young Bird Handled – 1st & Commended J McNaghten & Son, 2nd, 4th & VHC A Neill, 3rd T & K Mawhinney, Reserve W & N Gilbert, HC V Montgomery. Young Bird Eye-sign – 1st W & N Gilbert, 2nd B Herbison, 3rd, Reserve, VHC, HC & Commended D Swann, 4th J McNaghten & Son. In the club show series J & J Greer won the Show Shield while young Thomas McFall from Ballymena & District won the Visitor Shield. Thanks to Elke for the photos.
Over the holiday season we have on Boxing Day this year Tuesday 26th December. Kells & District host in their local clubrooms penning from 11.00am until 2.00pm, 3 in 1 Open Show for Old Birds and Young Birds. 6 Classes in total and prizes for all cards, entry £1 per bird and Specials include Best in Show and Best Opposite Sex. Also on Boxing Day Horseshoe HPS (Larne) Annual Open Show will take place once again on Tuesday 26th December 2017. Classes are Old Cock, Old Hen, Young Cock, Young Hen all handled. Old Bird Eye-sign and Young Bird Eye-sign (Birds can be duplicated into other classes). Specials for Best in Show £30, Best Opposite Sex £20, and prizes with all cards won. Penning is from 1.00pm until 3.00pm, open to NIPA Sect C members only.
The Open Show for Ballymena & District will be Monday 1st January and that’s the day the draw will be made for the Fireside Quiz. Quiz Sheets are available from any member or contact Mrs N Gilbert Tel 07724 507621. The Open Show is only available for lofts in the NIPA Sect B due to space problems. Penning in the local clubrooms at Fountain Place will be from 11.00am, any prizes from the members would be appreciated, bird’s on show will qualify to compete for Specials in Penzance. If you require more Show Info contact Willy Gilbert Tel: 07761 323459.
T & K Mawhinney (l) won BIS and Most Points at Cullybackey Open Show, with S Diamond.
Sean Diamond (r) presents W & N Gilbert from Ballymena with BOS at Cullybackey on Saturday.
J & J Greer won the Show Shield in Cullybackey HPS.
Best ever show season for Thomas McFall winning Visitor Shield at Cullybackey.
Willy Gilbert (l) won OB T/W and YB Eye-sign with judge W Murdock.
J McNaghten & Son (l) won YB Handled with judge Trevor Scott.
Timmy Mawhinney (l) won YB T/W and OB Handled with judge Terence McCrudden.
Judge Paul O'Connor presents award to J & J Greer, 1st OB Eyesign.