Midland Irish Setter Ch Show

24th Feb 2019

Bitches

Firstly, I would like to thank the officers and committee of the Midlands Irish Setter Society for inviting me to judge at their show, albeit at very short notice, due to the judge elect, George Stephenson, being hospitalised. I understand that, happily, George has since made a full recovery. Also, thanks to my stewards who cheerfully kept the proceedings running smoothly throughout the day.

A quality entry of bitches awaited me, particularly in the higher classes, and I had some close decisions to make. When I think of an Irish Setter, I like to see a dog built on elegant, racy lines with a sloping topline and the beautiful refined head with that soft quizzical expression that only Irish have. I found a number of bitches that were overweight and in soft condition. Maybe due to lack of exercise during the winter months? We are also losing the topline in the breed as there now a number of level backs in evidence. Finally, feet! Large flat feet with long nails. Overall, I was pleased with my placings, and the final line-up for the challenge.

Minor Puppy (9,1). 1. Sturrock: Forfarian Soo Lush. Promising puppy, built on racy lines, with a balanced head and sweet expression. Well-constructed throughout, straight front, tight at elbow and neat feet. Clean over the shoulder and good spring of rib. Good topline, correct croup and well-set tail. Moved steadily once she had settled. BPIS. 2. Bott: Bardonhill Love Of My Life. Another quality baby, lovely type, long lean head with dark eyes and sweet expression. Clean over the neck and shoulders. Good depth of chest and well-ribbed. Strong quarters. Not quite the finish of 1. 3. Holley: Gwendariff Look This Way To Wynjill.

Puppy (11,1). 1. Bardonhill Love Of My Life. 2. Gwendariff Look This Way To Wynjill. Third in a strong Minor Puppy class. A very pretty baby, and has all the essentials. Refined head with dark eyes and raised brows. Sound front and neat feet. Good shoulder placement and well-proportioned body with good forechest and rib. Quarters not as well developed at this stage, she just needs time. Moved soundly. 3. Blackshaw: Lanstara Ruby Slippers.

Veteran (6,4). 1. Mugford: Ch Lynwood Happy As A Lark JW. A well-made bitch with a feminine head, refined over the skull and dark eyes, giving a soft expression. Good neck, fitting into well-laid shoulders. Straight front and tight feet. Well-sprung ribs and carrying just the right amount of weight. Well-angulated quarters and strong short hocks. Presented in good condition and looking well for nearly 9 years. 2. Holley: Sh Ch Gwendariff Soda Pop To Wynjill. A feminine girl with a pretty head. Sound in front, good forechest and depth of rib. Clean over the neck and shoulders. Correct croup and well set on tail. Presenting a balanced outline, and moved soundly. 3. Gardner: Sh Ch Thendara Jocasta JW.

Junior (11,2). 1 Roberts: Jetsetter Cristalle To Polmennor JW (IMP RUS). Feminine bitch that takes your eye for her overall balance and type. Prettiest of heads, with a hint of mischief in her expression. Constructed on clean lines, with well-laid shoulders, straight front, tight elbows and small neat feet. Good body proportions, well ribbed, with correct croup and well-set tail. Well-angulated quarters. Presented in hard condition. A sound mover. Not in her best coat. 2. Milligan-Bott and Bott: Thendara Crystal Ice JW. Bigger bitch than 1. She has a balanced feminine head, with dark eyes and good finish of muzzle. Good reach of neck set into well-laid shoulders. Needs to tighten in front. Deep chest and well-ribbed back. Firm topline and strong quarters. Presented in lovely condition. 3. Kennedy-Sloane: Twoacres Destiny.

Yearling (9,1). 1. Catling: Teleri Indian Summer (AI) JW. An elegant bitch who won this class for her overall balance and soundness, feminine head and with a true Irish expression. Sound front, clean over the neck and shoulders, and excellent body properties. Powerful quarters and well-angulated stifles. Good bone. Excellent movement, using her tail to advantage. Firm topline and in super condition. 2. Mugford: Lynwood Abracadabra JW. A lovely bitch, close up to 1. Feminine head, with raised brows and sweet expression. Good reach of neck fitting into well laid back shoulders. Sound front construction and neat feet. Well-sprung ribs and strong quarters. Just preferred winner’s topline. 3. Mutch: Romarne Galway Girl At Astleyview JW.

Maiden (4,1). 1. Gwendariff Look This Way To Wynjill. 2. Hadfield: Covarney Estee Avec Marzanne. This little bitch looked totally different with a change of handler from her previous puppy class. She has a refined head, dark eyes and raised brows, her expression slightly spoiled by hair loss due to an injury but that will grow back. Well-constructed, with good lay of shoulder, straight front and deep chest, strong in the loin and excellent croup with good tail-set. Well-bent stifles. 3. Cayton-Lee and Lee: Rubratinneh Sisika.

Novice (6,0). 1. Catling: Teleri Here Comes Summer (AI). Litter sister to my winner in yearling, and very similar in type, with a refined head and a soft expression. Clean over the neck and shoulders. Sound front and tight feet. Well-bodied with good spring of rib and depth of brisket. Strong quarters and well-set tail. A steady, sound mover. 2. Covarney Estee Avec Marzanne. 3. Holehan: Loganrish Jacquart.

Undergraduate (5,0). 1. Loganrish Jacquart. A well-constructed bitch, who was much more relaxed in this class. Typical head with kind expression. Good reach of neck and front angulation, and good forechest. Deep brisket and well-ribbed back. Lacking the rear angulation I like to see. In hard condition and moved well. 2. Evans: Twoacres Spring Blossom. Bitch built on bigger lines. Feminine head with raised brow and kind expression. Clean over the neck and shoulders. Well-boned and good spring of rib. Presenting a stylish outline, with sound, free movement. 3. Richardson: Orlanset Ready For Love.

Graduate (12,2). 1. Bouttell, Bouttell and Burbridge: Ixia Rainbow Brite. This bitch really caught my eye. She is so feminine with the prettiest of heads. Refined over the skull with dark eyes and soft expression. Built on clean lines, with a sound front, good reach of neck and well-laid shoulders. Gently sloping topline and strong well-angulated quarters. Well-set tail and sound on the move. Presented in full coat, which completed the picture. 2. Naylor and Morrison: Anlory Carignan JW. Taller bitch than 1. Built on elegant racy lines. Attractive head, dark eyes and with a good finish of muzzle. Good reach of neck, fitting cleanly into well-laid shoulders. Straight front and neat feet. Mature in body, with good depth of brisket. Strong quarters, with a nice bend of stifle. Sound, easy mover. 3. Humphreys: Crimpington Flirtini To Henaleas JW.

Post Graduate (17,4). 1. Elkins: Twoacres Promise Of Spring With Avacet. A lovely feminine bitch, with a super outline. A balanced head with a good profile and low-set ears, and sweet expression. Good length of neck flowing into well laid back shoulders. Correct topline and tailset. Strong quarters. Moved freely with drive. 2. Tully: Gwendariff Lily The Pink. Well-made bitch, has all the essentials, lovely outline. Well-angulated front and rear. Sound on the move. Close decision, just preferred the winner’s expression. 3. McDonald: Delsanto Miss Freya.

Mid Limit (7,2). 1. Naylor: Anlory Amelia. Excelled in outline. Well-angulated front and rear. Good width through the stifle, short hocks. Good depth of brisket and well-ribbed back. Balanced head, with good length and typical expression. Giving her handler a hard time, but as she settled her movement was sound, with good reach in front and drive behind. 2. Blackshaw: Lanstara Spring Star JW. Quality bitch, shorter coupled than 1. Presented in excellent coat and condition. Balanced head with sweet expression. Strong neck set into well laid back shoulders, good forechest and depth of body. Moved soundly. 3. Hall: Riverbrue Ophelia At Glennara JW.

Limit (9,2). 1. Gisby: Suteresett Once Upon A Dream. Quality bitch. Refined head, with a kind expression. Good length of neck, excellent front construction. Good body properties, well-angulated at the rear, short from hock to heel. Wide croup and good tailset. Sound enthusiastic mover. 2. Waterton: Sandstream Welcome Breeze JW ShCM. An elegant typey bitch. Feminine head with lovely profile. Good length of neck fitting into well-laid shoulders. Firm topline, good depth of chest and good sweep of stifle. Strong croup with well-set tail. Sound and happy on the move. 3. Mugford: Sangarah Skyline Over Lynwood (IMP HUN) JW.

Open (8,2). 1. Armitage: Sh Ch/IR Sh Ch Gwendariff Coco Nut Cream CW’18. A high quality, typey bitch with classic outline. Attractive head with a good profile. Well-constructed throughout, with good reach of neck and well laid back shoulders. Straight front and tight feet. Good depth of body, strong in the loin. Good croup and tailset. Well-muscled, nice sweep of stifle. A sound positive mover. Very well-presented, in lovely coat and condition. I was pleased to award her the CC. 2. Begg, Milligan-Bott and Bott: Sh Ch Thendara Chasing Boys To Sumaric. Another super quality bitch. Classic feminine head with lovely expression. Good reach of neck, set on well-laid shoulders. Good forechest and tight at elbow. Neat feet. Good body properties. Firm backline, leading into wide croup and well-set tail. Good sweep of stifle, moved soundly. Well-presented, with lovely dark shiny coat. Res CC. 3. Crocker: Sh Ch Riverbrue Gloriana.

Judge: Brenda Berry