History of the Irish Setter Club of Houston

Part I

 

 

 

FROM THE BEGINNING                by John Nicholson

The Irish Setter Club of Houston was formed on August 21, 1974, by a group of people interested in the betterment, education and protection of the breed.  Of the original group Joe Smith, Lynda Kramer and Ron Hudson have held the Presidency.  At our club meetings we have had programs such as veterinarians talking about hip dysplasia, bloat, dental health, PRA (progressive retinal atrophy) and heartworms.  We also have had programs on Field Trials, Obedience, Showing Your Dog and movies on Irish Setters such as the A.K.C. film "The Irish Setter-A Breed Study".

We have held one Fun Match, four Sanctioned "B" Matches and Two "A" Matches.  Our Fun Match was held on February 2, 1975, the judge was Mrs. Doreen Wells and we had nearly one hundred entries.  On May 4, 1975, our first "B" Match was held with Mr. Jack Riley as judge.  Our second "B" Match was in August, 1975, the third in February, 1976, with Ms. Barbara Martin judging, and our last "B" Match was on June 13, 1976, with Mr. Bob Ditmars as judge.  In October of 1976 we held our first "A" Match with Mr. Ray Parsons as judge and our second "A" Match was held May 1, 1977, with Mr. Bill Allen judging.  Our first Licensed Specialty Show and Obedience Trial judges were:  Conformation, Mr. Derek Rayne;  Sweepstakes, Mr. Doug Brown; and Obedience, Miss Dorothy Nickles.  The second Specialty Show and Obedience Trial was held in the Spring of 1978.

In the FIELD we had our first Fun Field Day on November 18, 1975.  It not only was enjoyable, but educational.  Our second Fun Field Day was in May of 1976 with an entry in the high sixties and very experienced judges.  On December 11 and 12, 1976, we held our first Sanctioned Field Trial which was not only fun, but very wet as we had about two inches of rain on Friday before the Field Trial.  It also rained during the Field Trial and the temperature was in the low forties.  We held our second sanctioned Field Trial on April 16 and 17, 1977, and again it started raining on Wednesday before the Trial and rained until the following Monday.  Despite the rain, we still had a total entry of 76 and a fantastic Field Trial.  Approval was received from the Parent Club (The Irish Setter Club of America) and AKC to hold our first Licensed Field Trial on February 4 and 5, 1978.  Mike and Pam Godin, Bob Uresti and Vicki and Hugh Aarons are largely responsible for the success of the field trials.

 
A NEW START           by Dotti Fowler

Part II

 As a result of the amazing popularity of the Irish Setter in the ‘70s, the club was large and very active.  Later however the membership dwindled and the club became inactive. Breed Specialties continued to be held each Spring and Fall, but no obedience or field activities were planned and no new members were accepted.

In 1992, Pat Fawkes obtained permission for a group of Irish Setter lovers to gather at the Houston Police Officers Association building to discuss the potentials of re-organizing the Irish Setter Club of Houston.  Goals and activities were discussed, and a new enthusiasm was born.  A second meeting was arranged (by Robert Fowler at the Motorola building on the northside) and was held on October 13, 1992.  At this meeting applications for membership and dues were accepted and introductions were made of new and old members.  Plans were made to hold a Christmas Party and do many other fun things.

In 1993, the club was assisted by Nina Johnson in receiving permission from AKC and ISCA to renew its Field events by holding a Match for a Hunting Test.  This was held April 4, 1993 and followed by a second October 3, 1993.  The club held its first real Hunting Test on April 17, 1994.  Nina also requested and received the re-instatement of the club’s privileges in holding an Obedience Trial, and the first for many years was held in conjunction with the club’s Specialty Show on August 12, 1993.  Since that time the club has been holding annually:  two Breed Specialty shows, one Obedience Trial, and two Hunting Tests.

Current members of ISCH are active in conformation showing, obedience, agility, hunting tests, field trials, and even Animal Assisted Therapy.  The reorganized club is committed not only to the betterment of the breed, but also to being supportive of all its members in each of the activities that hold interest for them.  The club has formed a Rescue committee to join the national network and assist in the placement of lost, abandoned, and abused Irish Setters. The members are all active in promoting a better knowledge of the breed’s special characteristics among new Irish Setter owners and have plans for several seminars on genetic and health problems, as well as grooming, handling, and training.  Upcoming social events are open to anyone interested in the welfare of the Irish Setter and in the comraderie of persons with similar interests. 

All of these events promise to be lots of fun!

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