Wishingtree Irish Setters

I cannot remember a time when we were without a dog in the family and I have great childhood memories of "Lucky" a Manchester Terrier,"Topsy" a one-eyed Miniature poodle and who could ever forget "Kerry" our elegant Italian Greyhound.

I was born and raised in Plymouth Devon and school holidays were spent on my uncle's farm at Peter Tarey on Dartmoor where as well as the farm dogs there were also the ponies to ride, sheep, geese, ducks, chickens and pigs.

Most of my family were, and still are, "cat people" particularly my mother who has successfully exhibited her blue Persians for many years 
and has has several Grand Champions.

When, where and why I decided Irish Setters were my breed I cannot recollect but I always vowed that, one day, I would have my own bitch.

My very first Irish was the beautiful "Rua's Golden Bough of Elessar"; my Amber. Whelped on 6th January 1980 she was by Wendover 
Renegade ex Suriat's Sweet Syllabub of Rua who not only won well in the show ring but also won the K.C. Non Winners Field Trial Stake; 
a remarkable dual-purpose bitch.

I had no intention of showing but, having been persuaded so to speak, Amber's success was truly phenomenal given I was an inexperienced, novice and often nervous handler. I have so many wonderful memories of showing with her it is almost impossible to spotlight the most memorable.

However, taking 1981 as an example at just 14 months old we went to the Irish Kennel Club Championship Show in Dublin and won Novice, Special Yearling and Graduate Mrs Badenach Nicholson. National Gundog in August where Rita Bryden awared her both Special Yearling and Undergraduate. City of Birmingham in September and Ernest Frogatt gave her Tyro and Special Yearling. Driffield in November and 1st's again in Special Yearling and Graduate from Des McGary and at our final Ch Show that year, National Gundo (Winter) she won Special Yearling and Post Graduate with H Wheeler judging. These were in addition These were in addition to the dozens of wins at Open Shows.