Rory racing at the 2003 LGRA Nationals, one month before his 10th birthday (he is wearing the tan muzzle)Photo by Shot on Site

BII NFC DC Chartwell Silver Run Valevue SGRC, ORC, LCM 6, VC
(DC Vale Vue's Stand Up N'Shout LCM x Ch. Silver Heels of Vale Vue SC, LCM 3)
Dog. Born: 7/1/93
Breeders: Ellen Bonacarti and Norma Sellers
Owners: Ellen Bonacarti and Norma Sellers

Rory's 5 generation Compuped pedigree

Rory is everything I ever hoped for as his breeder: a dog who exemplifies form and function as well as a devoted and loving companion. He lives for lure coursing and shows no sign of losing his intensity and desire to chase plastic (as you can see from the photo below, taken at the end of a course at the 1998 Grand National in Colorado Springs, CO). At 31 3/4" and 110 lbs, Rory has proven that a large male Deerhound can be fast and agile. Rory's achievements in the field are well-known: the first AKC National Lure Coursing Champion in 1994; the 1995 ASFA Best in International Invitational; the first NOTRA Oval Race Champion Deerhound; the first LGRA Gazehound Racing Champion Deerhound and the first ASFA Lure Courser of Merit 4, Lure Courser of Merit 5 and Lure Courser of Merit 6 Deerhound. He was the #2 ASFA Deerhound in 1994, 1995 and 1996 and the #1 ASFA Deerhound in 1997 and 1998; he is also currently the #1 lifetime ASFA Deerhound with over 600 Bowen points (dogs defeated). Rory was the #1 LGRA Deerhound in 1999 and #4 ASFA Deerhound. Rory was also the #1 NOTRA Deerhound in 1994 and 1995, making him one of the rare hounds to have been #1 in three different venues. In 2000, Rory repeated as the #1 LGRA Deerhound and earned the Deerhound Sporting Club's "Fairchild Perpetual Award for Excellence in Racing." He tied for 6th in the ASFA Top Ten, his 7th straight year in the Top Ten.

Rory began 2000 on a high note, becoming only the second Deerhound to earn the LGRA SGRC (Superior Gazehound Racing Champion) title, finishing on March 18th. In May, Rory won the Veteran Stake at the Scottish Deerhound Club of America National Specialty coursing trial and also took home the Pyns Trophy for the High Scoring Champion-Lure Courser of Merit. This trophy has been won in the past by both Rory's sire and dam and by his litter sister Leah. At the ASFA International Invitational in June, Rory was Best of Breed on Saturday (his third I.I. BOB) and sister Leah was Best of Breed on Sunday- another family affair for these two great coursers!

2001 brought yet another milestone for Rory as he finished his Lure Courser of Merit 6 title on March 25th. He is the first Scottish Deerhound ever to earn this title. I am so proud of my boy!! Rory ended 2001 in the ASFA Top Ten for the 8th straight year, another Deerhound first. Refusing to consider himself retired, Rory earned 1.5 national GRC points at a race meet in South Carolina in February 2002. He will continue to compete in 2002 in both lure coursing and racing as long as he remains healthy and fit. Rory ran in the Veteran Stake at the 2002 I.I. in Rome, GA at the end of April. This was his 6th I.I. appearance.

Rory gave me quite a thrill on October 13, 2002 by going Best in Match from the Veteran class at MADA's Octoberfest, over a large entry of beautiful sighthounds. Thanks to judge Nancy Aiken for this very special win. Below is a photo of Rory with me and Nancy:

2003 has been another great year for Rory. He placed second in the Stud Dog class and third in the Three Generations Class at the SDCA National Specialty in Kentucky and was the veteran dog representative in the judges hands-on seminar. His daughter Ariel, Skyhigh Citabria O'Jubalhil VCD1, FCh, GRC, was high in trial in obedience, first in agility with a perfect score, placed in the ASFA and AKC lure coursing trials, and won the first-ever Specialty LGRA meet (undefeated)! Son Gayleward's Tiger Woods (since finished) placed second in the large Bred-by Exhibitor dog class. Rory also competed in the LGRA meet, the oldest dog to do so, and completed all three programs. Rory continues to race and course on a limited basis; as you can see from the series of photos below, taken in November 2003 by Dan Gauss of Shot on Site, Rory still loves to chase plastic! He is truly amazing.

In the show ring, Rory finished with 3 majors including Winners Dog and Best of Winners at the 1996 SDCA Eastern Regional Specialty for 5 points and WD/BOW/BOB from the classes two days earlier for a 4 point major on the highly competitive Wine Country circuit. Rory was always shown by me in the Bred By Exhibitor class except for his first 2 points which he earned from the puppy class. Rory was also BOS in Futurity at the 1994 SDCA National Specialty. Additionally, Rory is pointed toward both his Canadian bench and lure coursing titles.

On July 1, 2003 Rory and sister Tessa celebrated their 10th birthday. Here's a photo of Rory enjoying his birthday cake: