Bearnabui Irial
Ir Ch Greenswell Arranz of Chapelleigh x Carrokeel Gwyneth of Bearnabui
The first ever show we visited, with our
first wolfhound puppy in tow (but not entered) was a championship show
at the RDS, Easter Monday 1982. Jim instantly spotted the newcomers to
the breed, went down on eye-level with our pup and started a charming
conversation with her, before introducing himself to us with “Hi, I am
Jim, welcome to the breed.” This was so typical for Jim as we got to
know and love him over the decades; to this day, wolfhounds always come
first, with their owners, especially when they are new to the breed, a
very close second.
We were fortunate that we could witness and
admire his Bearnabui hounds in the ring when we started out in the
breed.
Watching his hounds instilled in us an everlasting sense for
correct type, movement and soundness.
Jim’s skillful gentle way of
handling (always on a loose lead), will always be our model for how good
handling can bring out the best in one’s hound, displaying total harmony
in motion.
In the ring Jim has been a true sportsman, always
accepting a judge’s decision with grace and a smile and treating his
fellow exhibitors with courtesy and respect. When competing in the ring,
we were just as delighted to see Jim win as we would have been winning
ourselves.
When Jim allowed us to have Bearnabui Irial and Image we
were thrilled.
They grew up into beautiful sound Bearnabui hounds
with lovely temperaments.
Both had a great influence in our line
which is still present today. In his own recollection, Jim already
mentions Irial’s litter with Knocknarea Eilis which produced Groi and
Grace.
Groi and Grace being introduced to show training at three months of age
When irial’s sister Image had a litter by UK Ch Shadow of Kilmara, one pup went to Sweden. Four-year old Groi and his little cousin ‘Nota Bene’ were inseparable, so they both went, becoming Swedish champions later. We kept a daughter by Groi, Justine.
Justine at six months