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  1. #1
    User
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Linksfield
    Age
    69
    Posts
    92

    Default Doyen of Feild Trials in South Africa Frank Poretti Passes on

    The passing of Francesco Poretti brings an end to an illustrious life, lived with passion, gusto and a wide scope of interests and expertise. An end of an era.
    A visionary and ahead of his time, Frank was involved with the South African Field Trial Club from the early 1960’s. A brilliant administrator, writing the original rules governing the sport of field trials in South Africa. His passion for the Pointer, its breeding and use dominated the ensuing years until recently when age and his failing health prohibited him from going afield with dogs and friends.
    The Fairwood Kennel boasts 17 Field Trial Champions. Mention the name Fairwood at any hunt or community shoot and many will have known Frank and his line of exceptional dogs. His dogs went to field trialers and hunters. When he arrived at a trial or community shoot with all his family, the Poretti clan took over the camp and were generally responsible for all the storytelling, laughter, mayhem and mischief that followed.
    With members of the SAFTC, he conceived and created the National Field Trial Association. The original Wingshooters, the predecessor of the current Wingshooters, and the Black powder association. He got things done. When the SAFTC had its centenary in 2008, the responsibility of creating a permanent record of the clubs’ first hundred years was entrusted to a member of the club. The individual was having difficulty with the project. With 8 weeks to the trial date Frank took over the task and completed the book.
    As a knowledgeable field trial judge he went to great lengths to encourage and mentor new Field Trialers. When a new field trial club started, Frank paid and transported judges to the trials to help the fledgling club start. Frank lived, ate and breathed the sport and his sage advice will be sorely missed.
    Diplomacy was not his strong suit, never suffered fools lightly and was quick to put the transgressor in his place! Yes, with Frank you always knew where you stood. A quality not appreciated by many people. However, every proposal, initiative and action he proposed, was for the improvement of the breed, club and the sport in general and never to promote his personal agenda. He gave selflessly to the club and our sport. We are all deeply indebted to him. If we achieve greatly today it is because we are standing on the shoulders of a legend. The fuoriclasse that was Checco Poretti.
    Frank also possessed great general knowledge. Most of our road trips were travelled on back roads, off the beaten track. Most with a history, geography and botanical lesson thrown in for good measure. Also Frank’s famous basket would appear, with salame, mortadella, cheese and a beer, enjoyed watching the sun set.
    The few lines above only pay tribute to Frank’s contribution to wing shooting and field trials. He had great success and knowledge in many field, far too many to mention.
    Frank was immensely proud of his family and their achievements, especially his grandchildren.
    From my personal perspective, Frank introduced me to the art of wing shooting, how to appreciate the finer points of hunting and shooting birds over well trained Pointers.
    What a life, what a legacy!!! We must strive to keep on the path, forged by Frank, to keep the Pointer front and centre, as the ultimate POINTING DOG.
    Frank, I will miss you greatly, this is not goodbye, it is just ‘’Arrivederci until we meet again’’.

  2. #2
    User
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Pretoria
    Posts
    1,014

    Default Re: Doyen of Feild Trials in South Africa Frank Poretti Passes on

    He'll be meeting up with a lot of his beloved buddies on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge.
    RIP Frank

    Sent from my SM-A307FN using Tapatalk

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