Author: Brigitte Schroeder Visit to the country of origin of the “Red

Author: Brigitte Schroeder
Visit to the country of origin of the “Red Setter” – in Ireland in August 2014-10-07
Our interest in the Red Setters in their country of origin fell immediately on sympathetic ears
and immediately a very kind answer in form of an invitation to participate (active or as
guest) in the Field Trial at the beginning of August was received.
And in the middle of August the Club-members Franjo Nordmann, Claudia Schallehn, couple
Brigitte and Hein Schroeder went on their way with the well-known animal photographer
Michael Schlenther. One of the party was also Sarah Mix, certified dog’s trainer and
chairlady for dogs of the Hegering Vechta. It was a long journey. While Michael and Claudia
travelled by plane, the rest went off by campervan and caravan with – in total 6 dogs. To
forestall: at the end of the journey there were nearly 5,000 km more on the speedometer.
From Calais to Dover the journey was managed by Ferry after all dogs had scrupulously been
examined if they had the appropriate vaccinations and de-worming. Then on we went by car
around London and right across Wales (partly wonderful routes, but on streets that were
hardly wider than the vehicles and with a vast number of circles (and this left-drive!) to the
Fishgard ferry-harbour to get via the shortest sea-route (3,5 hours in order not to put too
much strain on the dogs) to Ireland (Rosselaire).
The next station was the place of domicile of Fr. Seamus O’Neill, St. Patrick’s in Kiltegan. The
padres who lived there, well travelled missionaries, who apparently spent here their
retirement years, gave us a warm welcome. A whole guest house was given to us with a
filled refrigerator and large basket of fruit. We were very touched and extremely impressed
by the hospitality. In St. Patrick’s missionaries of the Irish Church are being trained and there
is also a school for male and female hospital nursing. The Padres we talked to had all been
many years abroad (Africa, Brazil, etc.) and each of them spoke several languages. There we
met the 3 Setters of Seamus. At long last we could see Irish Red Setters in their country of
origin. What happiness especially for me, because they were in size, shape of the head and
figure all like my Queenie (Lohmannn’s Queenie). What refreshment for my soul. I was some
time ago during our first exhibition sent out of the ring with the words “Look at the other
Setters here and then you can see that yours does not look like a Setter”. Later I often told
other people: The way Queenie looks, the same looks have the Irish Setters. And now (and in
the following days during the trials) I had indeed the proof for my bold statement.
And by Jove what Setters we saw during the next 2 days, we watched while working in the
moor near Kilchreest in Country Galway while working
The 1. day was only spent the Irish Red Setters and their “Grand All-Aged Fild Trial on Grouse
for Irish Setters under I.K.C. Rules”. 19 dogs had taken part and the winner was the bitch
Lisdovogue Aileen, Breeder and Handler Mr. Pat Reape.
Traditionally on 1. Field Trial only red Setters had been admitted. The Irish Setter Club
arranged the “Grand All-Aged Field Trial on Grouses forIrish Setters under I.K.C. Rules”. Only
dogs who had qualified several times in other Field Trials, were admitted. Dogs who had won
Trials and nearly reached cult status, stated like for example Remkilens T-Ebba, Lisdovogue
Aileen, Setter from the Kennel Ballydavid: Airforce, Aodh, Starjet and Storm, And others who
had also champion-status like for example Seamus’ Ikerrin Orla or Mountbay Dan. During
this first Trial there had been 19 dogs starting. Meeting-point in light drizzle outside a Pub,
where the twosomes were drawn by lot and off we went into the moors. There it was
started what the IRS was made for and it was for me a heavy day. Hilly country, typical moor
plants (also heather but a lot of prickly ones) up to the knees, throughout wobbly
underground, again and again holes and ditches. I had the choice, to look at my feet being
unable to watch the dogs, or look at the dogs and again and again bog down in a moor-hole.
The boots were already quite well filled with water after only half an hour. And then the
Speed! As there had to be overcome many miles, uphill, downhill, the whole corona with
dogs and guest followed the two search-dogs and their handlers, behind them the 3 judges.
Grouse, fantail snipes and pheasants were found but the appearance was scarce, the dogs
had to run great distances and search. Then protruding! Red Setter, who were so cunning
and absolute calm and were pointing for a long time, something we cannot find back home
so often.
Being somewhat irritating for us foreigners was, that there was a lot of whistling as the dogs
were supposed not to run more than 100 m to each side. A good decision as otherwise they
would have disappeared behind the hills. Winners at the end, if at all, always only the 3 on
first places. Even if points had been gained, it is a decision of the judges to appraise them
with excellent or very good or not at all. And in the latter case there will be no place at all. In
this trial the first winner was given 3 wonderful challenge cups (pure Sterling silver we were
told repeatedly). The oldest carried badges with names of the winners from the beginning of
the 20th century. It should even be from the 19th. How important tradition is and how firmly
established shows also that during the handover (directly afterwards at the cars in the moor
in the rain) the vice president of the Irish Setter Clubs held a speech (or was it a poem) in
Gaelic which was again and again in short repeated by the chorus of the dog handlers in
between. The winner takes it all and that was the bitch Lisdovogue Aileen, breeder, owner
and handler Mr. Pat Reape. Everyone drove wet but happy home and after a good and tasty
meal in the Pub we crept very soon into our dwelling on wheels.
On the 2nd day all 4 Setter-races as well as Pointer Registered had been 30 dogs, more were
permitted to take part. The only Gordon were not allowed, there are always Setter was at
the end of the day the winner.10 dogs in reserve.
Next day the “Open International Field Trial on Grouse for Pointers and Setters under I.K.C.
rules was organized. 30 dogs were listed, more were not allowed as there were always 10 in
reserve. Just in case on of the listed ones does not turn up. Now besides the Red also RedWhite, English Setters, Pointers were, and a Gordon was going to start. Another area, a little
dryer but much higher hills, that means not at all less exhausting. The “Honour of Germany”
was bolstered up by the attendance of Franjo Nordmann who has taken part with his ESbitch Miss Montana and the young Pointer-bitch Aenja (Aenja of Magic Fields). I was actually
permitted to take part with Queenie the day before but unfortunately and unexpectedly
Queenie was unscheduled on heat and had to be kept absolutely in the background. Franjo
gave his best in this top class competition and especially Aenja was convincing was given a
recall which is a great achievement in this field. Winner was the only attending Gordon
Setter. This capable and fast dog would have had on our conformation shows no chance at
all and would have been expelled from the ring, beautiful figure, super muscles but
considerably smaller and with much less skin as the Gordons at our exhibitions. The best
Irish and for sure in the 2nd Trial was the handler Paul Thompson with his bitch Ballydavid
Storm, called Genie. There again were wonderful trophies. After all, the winners were most
certainly delighted when receiving the present from the Germans – a bottle of
Jaegermeister. As I on this second day could feel all my bones and joints, only Claudia and
Michael attended on the 3rd day the competition. In Ireland now there were in great speed
further Field Trials followed, i. e. also the most important event for Field Trial attendants,
the Irish Championship competition in the last week of August. Incidentally: besides the
judges, who had been by Jove not the youngest – my respect was with Michael. What he had
accomplished! Always at full gallop after the dogs and judges, his heavy camera trying to
protect from falls and rain on the hunt for wonderful photographs. We indulged ourselves in
having a few days of vacation in Ireland and enjoyed the wonderful landscape and again and
again the stunning friendliness of the people in their homeland. I would very much wish that
I could travel to this, unfortunately very faraway land, once more.
Üersetzerin: Hannelore Desalla-Debring