Trophy and Annual Award Descriptions

Following is a description of the trophies and annual awards currently presented at the ITCA Annual General Meeting.  This recognition is  offered only to members of the ITCA. The following definitions are to be used, when needed, as clarification to the awarding of ITCA trophies and are to be amended to fit the needs of the Club.

Owner(s)-anyone whose name appears on the dog’s current AKC registration and that same name appears at the time of the dog’s win.

Breeder(s)-anyone whose name appears on the AKC registration at the time of the dog’s birth and that same name appears at the time of the dog’s win.

Member(s)-anyone who is a member in good standing with the ITCA and must have been a member in good standing at the time of the dog’s win.

Owner(s)-Breeder(s)-see above

Breeder(s)-Member(s)-see above

Owner(s)-Breeder(s)-Member(s)-see above

In 2008 the date of membership was re-defined to be the date of approval of the membership application by the Board of Governors. All disputes arising with respect to trophies shall be decided by the Board of Governors of the ITCA and its decision is final.

Jeremiah O’Callaghan Memorial Trophy

Awarded outright each year to the owner of the dog winning the greatest number of points at all AKC member and licensed shows during each trophy year, points to be determined as follows:

• Winners Dog or Winners Bitch – champion points awarded
• Best of Winners – champion points awarded
• Best of Breed – if not Best of Winners, the same number of points as awarded to the Best of Winners
• Best of Opposite Sex – greatest number of champion points awarded to any Irish Terrier of the same sex
• Terrier Group wins – first 10 points, second 7 points, third 6 points, fourth 5 points
• Best in Show – 15 points

Points won in the Terrier Group or for Best in Show are not in addition to other points won at the same show. Each Terrier will receive credit only for the number of points represented by its highest award at each show. Formerly the John R. Thorndike Memorial Trophy established in 1937, Mr. O’Callaghan’s name was given to the trophy in 1985.

Edward B. McKinley Memorial Trophy

Awarded each year to the owner winning the greatest number of O’Callaghan Trophy points when entered in the American-bred Classes. Formerly the James Eager Memorial Trophy, established in 1937. Mr. McKinley’s name was given to the trophy in 1971. Conditions were changed in 1977.

Thomas H. Mullins Memorial Trophy

Awarded each year to the owner of the dog or bitch accumulating the greatest number of inter-breed points by virtue of being placed in the Terrier Group or Best in Show. One inter-breed point is awarded for each dog or bitch defeated in winning the Group placement or other award. Formerly the Hubert Rutherford Brown Memorial Trophy, established in 1938. Mr. Mullin’s name was given to the trophy in 1971.

Michael Gately Memorial Trophy

Awarded to the breeder of the member-bred dog or bitch accumulating the greatest number of O’Callaghan Trophy points during the trophy year, regardless of ownership, by virtue of winning Best of Breed. In the event of a tie, the winner shall be the breeder of the dog or bitch reaching a tying position with the fewest number of wins. Established in 1939 under the name The Champion Spokesman Trophy. Renamed The Alfred Neise Memorial Trophy in 1952 and named for Thomas F. Bolton in 1971. Mr. Gately’s name was given to the trophy in 1985.

Edward O’Keefe Memorial Trophy

Awarded to the owner of the Irish Terrier defeating, by virtue of going Best of Breed, the greatest number of Irish Terriers during the trophy year. Established in 1971.

Rudolf Jensen Memorial Trophy

Awarded to the owner of the Irish Terrier winning the Best of Breed the greatest number of times during the trophy year. In the event of a tie, to go to the Irish Terrier accumulating the greatest number of O’Callaghan Trophy points. Formerly the Leonard W. Goss Memorial Trophy, established in 1971. Mr. Jensen’s name was given to the trophy in 1985.

Martha Hall Memorial Trophy

Awarded outright to the owner of the dog or bitch winning the greatest number of championship points from the Bred-by-Exhibitor class during the trophy year. In the event of a tie, the award shall go to the owner of the Irish Terrier winning the largest number of trophy points; by virtue of being placed in the Terrier Group or Best in Show. Formerly the Marcus Boyd Memorial Trophy, established in 1950. Mrs. Hall’s name was given to the trophy in 1985. Conditions were changed in 1993 and again in 1999.

Jerry Keefe Memorial Award

Awarded to the member(s) whose dog or bitch defeats the greatest number of Irish Terriers of the same sex by virtue of going Best of Opposite Sex to Best of Breed. In the event of a tie, the award shall go to the owner of the animal with greatest number of BOS awards. Formerly the Best of Opposite Award, established in 1989. Conditions changed and Mr. Keefe’s name was given to the trophy in 1994.

Dr. Joseph P. Sayres Memorial Trophy

Awarded annually to the member(s)-owner(s) of the owner-handled Irish Terrier gaining the highest number of O’Callaghan (formally Thorndike) points during the award year. In this instance, owner-handled shall be defined as an Irish Terrier which is owned and handled solely by a person who does not show dogs for compensation. This restriction applies to co-owners as well in the case of a dog which is co-owned. Persons wishing to be considered for this award must notify the tabulator(s) of the annual awards of intent to compete for this award. Co-owners, if any, must be members of the Irish Terrier Club of America in order to be eligible for this award. Formerly the Owner-Handled Award, initiated in 1989. Dr Sayres name was given to the trophy in 1993.

John S. Best Memorial Annual BOS Trophy

Awarded to the member(s)-owner(s) of the dog or bitch which has defeated, by virtue of going  Best of Breed, the greatest number of Irish Terriers and is opposite in sex to the Irish Terrier defeating the greatest number of Irish Terriers for an animal within his or her sex and is opposite sex to the Irish Terrier which has defeated, by going Best of Breed, the greatest number of Irish Terriers. In the event of a tie, the award shall go to the member(s)-owner(s) of the animal with the greatest number of BOS awards. Initiated in 1993, name modified in 2009 and conditions reworded and clarified in 2005 and 2008.

John S. Best Memorial Breeder Trophy

Awarded outright to the member(s) who is/are the registered breeder or co-breeder at the time of whelping of five different Irish Terriers which have distinguished themselves by winning the Best of Breed award at the ITCA Specialty Show at Montgomery County. Each year the name of the winning dog or bitch and the name of the member(s)-breeder(s)  is/are to be inscribed on a bronze of John Best’s Champion Blackacre Barrister, sculptured by Ellis West. The bronze remains in the care of the ITCA until such time as it is retired.  It was established in 1995.  The member(s)-breeder(s) will receive a plaque at the annual awards banquet commemorating this win.

Edward Eaglen Traveling Specialty Best of Breed Trophy

Awarded outright to the individual who is the registered breeder or co-breeder of five different Irish Terriers that have distinguished themselves by winning the Best of Breed award at the ITCA Traveling Specialty. Each year the name of the winning dog or bitch and the name of the breeder are to be inscribed on the trophy. The trophy remains in the care of the ITCA until such time as it is retired. Initiated in 1999, and donated by Mary O’Brian and Cory Rivera.

The Ch.Tralee's Rowdy Red-Breeder of the Best of Breed Trophy

Awarded outright to the member(s)-breeder(s) who has/have distinguished themselves by winning the Best of Breed at the ITCA Traveling Specialty Show three times though not necessarily with the same dog nor at consecutive shows. The trophy, an engraved Stirling Tray in memory of Ch. Tralee's Rowdy Red, remains in the care of the ITCA until such time as it is retired. The ITCA will engrave on the Trophy the name of the winning dog, member(s)-breeder(s) and the year. 

George Kidd Memorial Trophy

Awarded annually to the owner of the dog or bitch that went Best in Sweeps at the Montgomery County Show. The trophy is an 8 inch silver plate Revere Bowl inscribed with the name of the Trophy, the name of the Club and the year of the award. Financed by the general Trophy Fund. Initiated in 1989.

Best of Opposite Sex Sweepstakes Award

In 1990, the ITCA agreed that there should be a division by sex as well as age at the Montgomery County Sweepstakes and an award should be made for Best of Opposite Sex.

The Suzanne N. Griffiths Obedience Trophy

This trophy is awarded to the owner of the individual dog or bitch making the highest average score at AKC member and licensed obedience trials during the trophy year; the average to be determined from the three highest scores obtained by each contestant as published in the AKC Gazette, three scores required to qualify. In the event of a tie, the following will be applied in order stated until the winner is determined: By considering in the average the next highest score obtained during the same period until a tie is broken, provided an equal number of scores is considered for each contestant involved in the tie; to the contestant with the highest individual score made in obedience during the year; and to the contestant with the best bench show record. Established in 1958, Suzanne Griffiths' name was given to the trophy in 2003.

The Versatility Award

This award is structured in three levels to recognize versatile dogs that compete successfully in Conformation, Agility, Tracking, Obedience and Rally.  Criteria for the awards are determined with the Board of Governors' approval each year by the Performance Committee.  Established in 2002.

ITCA Versatility Awards – 2009

There are three levels of award, namely Level One – Versatility Award, Level Two – Master of Versatility Award, Level Three – Super Versatility Award.

In order for a dog to be considered for a Versatility Award, the dog’s owner must notify the Chair of the Performance Committee by sending, no later than July 30th the AKC certificate for each of the three (3) relevant AKC titles to be considered toward the appropriate versatility award. The dog must be owned (co owned) by a member(s) of the ITCA at the time that each title is attained Qualifying titles that can be considered for each Versatility award are shown below.

^* The same award may be applied to both Level Two and Level Three

^** Maximum of two titles/awards only for each Level

It is expected that as the AKC modifies it's various awards and titles in Conformation, Tracking, Obedience, Rally, and Agility, modifications to the above prerequisites will be required.

High Score Novice Class Award

For the member whose Irish Terrier had the highest single score in Novice.

High Score Open Class Award

For the member whose Irish Terrier had the highest single score in Open.

High Score Utility Class Award

For the member whose Irish Terrier had the highest single score in Utility.

Tracking Dog Award

For members whose Irish Terriers were awarded Tracking Dog titles.

Champion and Obedience Degree Medallions

For members of the Club in good standing whose Irish Terriers have qualified for the following AKC titles: CH - Breed Champion, CT - Champion Tracker, MACH - Master Agility Champion, OTCH - Obedience Trial Champion.