English Setter Society Of Wales

ENGLISH SETTER SOCIETY OF WALES OPEN SHOW 25 SEPT 2022

I would like to thank the Society for the invitation to judge the breed open show and for their kind hospitality. I had the most efficient stewards and the fine weather allowed me to judge outside which makes a huge difference when judging this breed. I was extremely pleased with my principal winners and the overall quality of the exhibits.

VETERAN DOG (1)

1st: Brown’s Mariglen Top Gear at Yendorlech

Masculine in head with correct stop and expressive dark eye. Strong muscular neck with well laid shoulders, however I would prefer him stronger in front assembly Well bent stifles and has a good firm topline. Well off for bone and substance, he moved freely with good drive from rear.

GRADUATE DOG (1)

1st: Wilkinson’s Phenset Firestorm This two year old orange dog was appealing in head, correct earset and good finish to muzzle. Correct front with shoulders well laid and adequate rear angulation. Would prefer a little more of him throughout. He moved out steadily and soundly but was very proud of his tail.

POST-GRAD DOG (1)

1st: Szal’s Sharnyx River Flow

This three year old tri colour was very masculine in head with correct proportions, adequate stop and dark eye and has good pigmentation. Clean, well arched neck and well laid shoulders, I would prefer more bend of stifle to give him an overall balance when stacked.

LIMIT DOG (6)

1st: Derry’s Balvenie Blue Sensation

This blue dog just rising three has a super elegance about him and presents such a well-balanced outline in profile. Handsome masculine head, with kind expression, well defined occiput and deep in muzzle. He has the best of fronts with correct shoulder lay, deep in brisket and correct short back. He won the class with his free sound movement with lovely head carriage. Should do very well in the future. Close decision for best dog. My Res Best Dog

2nd: Watts and Leather’s Walshaw Brushstrokes

Another pleasing three year old of good size and balance. Correct head proportions, dark eye and oval shape skull with ears set on low. Strong neck and firmly built throughout, slightly longer cast than my first place. Moved with good rear drive maintaining his topline. He has a very attractive dark jacket and was presented in excellent condition.

3rd: Owen’s Cornsett You My Everything

OPEN DOG (5)

1st: Atyeo and Taylor’s Samelen Comeback Special

I found this four year old blue belton dog full of quality and lovely to go over. Masculine and well-proportioned in head with kind expression. He presents a super well balanced outline when stacked with matching front and rear angles, excellent spring of rib and good length to upperarm. He has an abundance of ring presence and is a stylish and sound mover covering the ground with ease, holding his topline and has correct tail carriage. Please to award him Best Dog.

2nd: Mariglen Night Manager at Yendorlech

Placed fourth in the previous strong limit class. Masculine head with good eye colour and well defined stop. Strong neck with good body depth, strong over loin and well angulated hindquarters. He was weak in front pasterns and this let him down in front movement.

MINOR PUPPY BITCH (1)

1st: Howarth’s Moorbrook Owdidthatappen

Such a very promising youngster, she really made me smile with her enthusiasm and happy disposition. She has a very pretty and feminine head, correct low earset and dark expressive eyes. At nine months she already has good depth and is of correct short back length with ample rear angulation and strong hocks. She was full on and moved with such enthusiasm with her tail constantly wagging, so confident for a baby. Although she stood alone today, she has all the essentials in place and will do well in company I found her to be a very worthy BPIS and should have a very bright future.

VETERAN BITCH (5)

I had a super quality trio of orange belton bitches in this class.

1st: McCabe’s Sh Ch Rachdale Elegance JW

My first oozed quality and is so well made throughout. The best of head shape with lovely bright expression. Sound front assembly with strong pasterns and elbows tight in. Firm short back and well bent stifles and strong hocks. Shown in super coat and condition and such a sound mover. I had no choice but to call her back into to the challenge, she was my Res Best bitch and also Best Veteran in Show and I have now noted she is litter sister to my Best in Show.

2nd: Atyeo and Taylor’s Samelen Golden Taffeta

Very pleasing feminine head, with adequate stop and good depth to muzzle. Well laid shoulders and good body depth. Strong loin and good width to thigh. Not as strongly made in front as my winner and to be picky I thought her coat to be over trimmed in places. She has a graceful and free striding movement with a slashing tail action.

3rd: Mortimer’s Phlerdor Heart of Gold

JUNIOR BITCH (2)

1st: Loakes Goldbirch Hearts Desire

A quality youngster who is developing well. Loved her head and expression and pigmentation. Clean neck of good length with correct front and well laid shoulders, just needs to drop a tad in forechest. She has just the right amount of rear angulation which gives her an overall super balanced outline. A very enthusiastic youngster her movement was very sound with excellent rear drive once settled.

2nd: Jennings-Sharman’s Wansleydale Mayfly

This tri-colour bitch has the sweetest of head and good eye colour. Good body proportions, adequate spring of rib and good sweep of stifle. She is not as well constructed in front as my winner which showed on the move as she came towards me.

YEARLING BITCH (2)

1st: Dennis, Harris and Morgan’s Mariglen Unwrapped

Very pleasing head, with oval skull shape, dark eye and adequate stop. She is well put together with firm body, strong loin and the right amount of rear angulation. I found her very sound on the move with a good head carriage and correct topline.

2nd: Wansleydale Mayfly (repeat)

GRADUATE BITCH (1)

1st: Mariglen Unwrapped (repeat)

POST-GRAD BITCH (3)

1st: Phlerdor Will Of The Wisp

Lots to like about this four year old. Very feminine head with lovely expression and correct eye shape. Clean over neck with well laid shoulders and good length of upperarm. Correct back length with level topline, good width to thigh. Moved soundly and shown in good coat and condition.

2nd: Mandyset I Will Survive

This bitch was very reluctant to stand but once settled she allowed me to go over her. She has a beautiful head with such expressive eyes. Well laid shoulders, short back and well bent stifles. Unfortunately she was very timid with the helper and would not co-operate on the move today.

LIMIT BITCH (3)

1st: Mccabe’s Rachdale Ribbons of Pearls

A quality orange bitch that presents a well-balanced and elegant outline when stacked. She has a pretty head with correct skull to foreface proportions, strong neck and super front assembly. She has the right amount of depth and strong well angulated hindquarters, a super mover with excellent rear drive. A very close contender for Res BB.

2nd: Walker’s Wansleydale Chartreuse for Hathermere

Attractive head, with apparent occiput and correct muzzle depth. Shoulders well set back but front let down by weak pasterns. She has correct body length and strong loin. Moved steadily with correct tail action.

3rd: Kelly’s Richecca Chorus Girl

OPEN BITCH (2)

1st: Loakes Sh Ch Rachdale Painted Lace at Goldbirch

This blue bitch has a super well balanced head with a bright expression and I found her markings most attractive. I couldn’t fault her sound construction, super front assembly with elbows tight in, clean neck, adequate depth of chest, well ribbed, strong over loin with good sweep to stifle and strong hocks. She is so sound and stylish on the move, excellent head carriage and driving well from her strong hocks with a lashing tail action. She was presented in gleaming coat and tip top muscular condition and has a super bond with her handler. Please to award her Best in Show.

2nd: Sh Ch Rachdale Elegance JW (repeat)

BRACE

1st: Brown’s Mariglen Top Gear at Yendorlech and Mariglen Night Manager at Yendorlech. A well matched pair that were handled very well, I see from the catalogue they are closely related. Balanced in profile when stood together, both shown with an abundance of coat and moved well at a steady pace thoroughly enjoying themselves in the brace class.

Jean Byrne (Judge)