I don't know how they do it; Team Gentiehun and the weather, I mean. OK, it wasn't warm, but it wasn't blowing a gale and flinging it down either - it's doing both back here in erstwhile sunny East Lothian. We had eight Deerhounds, enough to run a stakes, including the hardy Farnorths, all the way from Caithness, through rain, hail and snow, just to run their dogs and collect a Deerhound calendar; Team Scrumptious, on their way to visit their new puppy; Sue and Kevin's Gentiehuns; and my Lyarts, although I left the Old Bat DownJess at home.
The Usual Suspects were represented by Beanie and Biggles the Beagles; Team Fastpants, fresh from their movie successes; and (joy of joys) Not-In-The-Least-Bit-Old Jack and his posse of terriers, whippet/Bedlingtons and the Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla girl; the whippets Biscuit, Zac, Zuco and Blanco and various assorted lurchers (Fly, Raja and Hazel) plus one bewildered Bernese puppy. Magic the Gentiehun Poodle was also out in force supervising events and has decided that this lure coursing lark might be more fun than she'd previously thought.
Tavish won the Deerhound stakes from Rannoch, much to my surprise since he's about as fit as a feather duster with the feathers all fallen out - just goes to show that heart counts as much as anything. However, the best course of the day for me was Deerhound run 2, between Blue (Farnorth) and my Dileas - neck and neck all the way and fast as you like. It was wonderful. Dileas got her nose in front on the line, but only just. And we can confidently reveal that the Gentiehun girls have Got The Idea, even though they didn't win their races,and so have the Misses Farnorth (Brodie) and Scrumptious (Truly). Watch them all next time out.
Now, I'm sure Susan and Paul would be the first to admit that up until now Biggles the Beagle hasn't really taken his racing as seriously as his kennelmate Beanie, who is as keen as mustard and would put the fear of God into anything a Beagle pack might hunt. However, today Biggles was running with real commitment; and the reason for this transformation is easily explained. Three words: Tripe, Soaked, Lure. He now sees the point of the exercise; he has unleashed his inner scent hound and was determined to get to the lure first.
We didn't run an Other Breeds stake as such, but managed to match dogs of similar size and ability, so no one was left out. Team Fastpants's Bella the nearly-a-Beagle was sprung from Anne's mother's house for the day and thoroughly enjoyed herself, although she was a bit outclassed by Bryn and Cara. The whippets organised themselves into a mini-league - Biscuit and one of the black boys won that handsomely - and then did fun runs with the bigger lurchers.
And finally, we had a Last Hurrah with everyone who was left standing zooming round with never a cross word amongst them. Once again, heartfelt thanks to the Rose family for their hospitality - see y'all on December 27th!
Forum
Hmmmm...true terrier 'i cant give up' attitude. Jake wasnt in best form today - he gave up in the first race having been 'buzzed' and being the biggest fairy alive cant just keep racing. 
Indi had a ball as usual and Kali was just delighted to be allowed to have a chase - we wont tell the Gundog peeps! 
as we are away up North, but on behalf of Old Jack, the BeddieWhips, the terriers and the Vizslas - have a great Christmas and New Year and we look forward to seeing you all next year.
