142 • Quintessential Barrington | QBarr ing ton.com

The Fox River Valley Hound Puppy Show Delights

Open Spaces BY LISA STAMOS • PHOTOGRAPHY BY LINDA M. BARRETT

The 2019 Fox River Valley Hound Puppy Show and Family Dog Competition was an afternoon in the countryside for families, friends, and their

beloved dogs. This heartwarming annual event is open to the public each year. Guests bring their tables, chairs, food, and beverages and set up a small tent or tailgate. Co-chairs Deb Nestrud Gallagher and Deb Cunning-ham Kramer were wonderful hostesses, pulling together all the details for the day.

Host Barrington Hills Farm welcomed guests on July 28 to their property for a full day of contests, tailgating, food, fun, and awards. The Presenting Sponsor was Fox River Valley Hound Heritage Foundation. Raffle items including a Picnic in the Country, Classic Tailgate Col-lection, and a Master of the Grill Collection were spon-sored by Amy and Kevin Murphy.

This year’s emcees, Robert McGinley and Kurt Anderson, kept the exciting contests and competitions moving throughout the afternoon. The Tailgate Com-petition has become a favorite highlight at the Puppy

Show, with this year’s judges Emily McHugh and Patti Meroni on the job.

Congratulations to Mill Creek Hunt for their success in taking home top awards, including Best Tailgate Pre-sentation and Best in Show Family Dog Competition. A special thanks goes to Keith Grey, MFH, for judging the Fox Hound pups, and Dr. Kirstin Wojcik, Kelcey Roberts, Leslie Coolidge, and Kevin Ward for their help in judging the Family Dog Show Competitions. Kennel Huntsman Aran McManus brought the Fox Hound puppies for the 2019 season, though they hardly seem like puppies as they are so full of energy and already a good size.

Many more awards were given to families and their children who brought their dogs for a variety of contests that included Best Small, Medium, and Large Breed Sizes, Best Rescue Dog, Best Dog Trick, Best Puppy, and the Best Owner/Dog Lookalike. There is something for everyone on this special afternoon in the country.

Participants in the Large Dog Competition.

Sponsored By Barrington Hills Farm

QBarr ing ton.com | Quintessential Barrington • 143

Barrington Hills Farm is 700 acres of pristine, undeveloped

land located at Haegers Bend and Spring Creek Roads in the

northwestern most corner of Barrington Hills. The rarity of

Barrington Hills lies in its open space, fresh air, clean water,

and abundant wildlife. The land is precious and delicate and

in constant need of stewardship to keep it that way.

www.barringtonhillsfarm.org

Jan Nestrud with Donna Ewing, Jason Bitton, and Ronda Ewing who won Best Centerpiece.

Jane Clement with tailgate judges Emily McHugh and Patti Meroni.

Keith Grey, MFH, Maria Madden, and Huntsman Aran McManus.

Best Tailgate Presentation was won by Mill Creek Hunt.

Jane Gallagher with Evie.