North Riding Gundog Club

I enjoyed judging at this friendly well-organised show. The sun shone all day and the large close-cut grass rings provided ample space for the dogs to move. My thanks to the Club, my efficient stewards and exhibitors for a lovely day.

COCKER SPANIELS 

PUPPY (1 entry)

1st Bayliss'  SHIREPARK SIR FRANCIS DRAKE BY WILANORAH, 9 mths Bl/R male, compact & square in outline, cobby & sturdily-built throughout, balanced head with well-shaped skull & excellent length & depth to muzzle, kind expression, decent length of neck into well-placed shoulders, deep chest, big ribs, well-coupled, firm level topline, moved out with plenty of drive & wagging tail, BPIB, liked him a lot & delighted to see the BIS judge award him Puppy Group 3

JUNIOR (1, 1 absent)

POST GRADUATE (1)   

1st Barber-Ball's KALISPELL COUER DE LION, 3 year-old Bl/R male, sturdy in appearance with strength all through, masculine well-proportioned head, dark eye, moderate length of neck, well-angulated in front with excellent lay-back of shoulder, hands-on examination revealed a well-constructed compact body under very profuse furnishings, firm level topline, used his rear angulation & strong thighs to power round the ring, lovely merry temperament, pleased to award him BOB, realised much later that I had judged him before as an exuberant puppy, nice to see him again all grown up

OPEN (1)

1st Palmer's CASSOM SUN DREAMING OVER COLMEIR, 3 year-old O/R male, very smart outline, square & cobby in appearance, rather strong head softened by delightful dark eye & expression, moderate length of neck into clean shoulders, not quite the upper arm or forechest of BOB, well-sprung ribs & short couplings, firm level topline, liked his well-rounded hindquarters & low tailset, moved steadily, well presented silky coat in shining condition, RBOB

WELSH SPRINGER SPANIELS

PUPPY (1)

1st Ritchie's RENASCENT BLEABERRY AT SLAPESTONES (IMP USA) NAF TAF, 7 mths female, clean outline, pretty feminine head already well-proportioned for her age, dark eye & sweet expression, long strong neck into neat shoulders, forechest still developing, stands on good straight forelegs, excellent depth of brisket for age, strong in couplings, correct topline with slight rise over loin, moderate rear angulation, needs time to develop in 2nd thigh which showed in her loose rear movement, but she is a baby and a happy one at that, BPIB

JUNIOR (3, 2 absent)

1st Chandler's CHANANGEL JO SUGDEN, 16-mths male, impressive & typical in outline, in gleaming R/W coat, well-shaped & proportioned head, masculine but not overdone, long clean neck into well-laid shoulders, well-boned & straight in forelegs, strongly-made through body, with plenty of depth & well-sprung ribs, liked his body length to leg length ratio, well-developed thighs, active mover, would have liked more positive drive behind & more confident tail carriage & action, RBOB

GRADUATE (1, 1 absent)

OPEN (2)

1st Chandler's SH CH CHANANGEL STICKY WICKET JW SHCM VW, 11 year-old male, one I have admired before & who retains his quality, just a little greyer in the face & a little "steadier" on the move now, solidly made throughout with a well-balanced masculine head, long strong neck, plenty of forechest, well-angulated front & rear, brisket deep, well-sprung ribs, short-coupled with slight tuck-up, correct topline, muscular hindquarters, excellent width of thigh, in firm condition & still a privilege to go over, BOB

2nd Douglas' CHANANGEL YORKSHIRE GOLD TO SANTALLINA, 3 year-old male, liked his compact body shape & correct balance, lovely masculine head of good proportions, delightful dark eye & kind expression, strong neck of sufficient length into well-laid shoulders & good return of upper arm, well-boned throughout, stands on straight forelegs, deep in brisket, well-sprung ribs, strong couplings, moderate rear angulation, not the movement of BOB, challenged for RBOB, but for me just a little too proud of his tail

CLUMBER SPANIELS

JUNIOR (2, 1 absent)

1st Dawson's BIG BOOMS VIKING LIV BESKERBY, 16 mths female, strong appearance with good bone throughout, pleasing head with broad skull & deep stop, square & deep in muzzle, but still unmistakeably feminine, powerful thick neck leading to excellent front angulation, excellent forechest, short straight forelegs, long strong body with plenty of depth of brisket & well-developed flank, ribs well sprung and carried well back, broad muscular hindquarters, to be picky would prefer slightly larger feet to match the rest of her, in beautiful coat & condition, not putting her "all" into moving today, nevertheless an impressive youngster, RBOB

LIMIT (2, 1 absent)

1st Dawson's BESKERBY LUMINESCENT, 5 year old female, impressed for overall balance, strength & power, standing on well-boned legs & feet, her maturity showed in her head which was feminine with good width of skull & depth of muzzle, well-defined occiput & stop, typical heavy brows, kindly expression, very strong in neck, well angulated front & rear, plenty of forechest, deep in brisket, well-ribbed back to deep flanks & well-muscled loin, well-developed hindquarters with broad thighs, moved out effortlessly showing good drive, her determined & dignified temperament very obvious in her wagging tail, doing her very best for her handler on a warm day, BOB

2nd Dawson's BIG BOOMS VIKING LIV BESKERBY, repeat of Junior

OPEN (1, 1 absent)

JUNIOR HANDLING

First, some general observations: all three of these young handlers demonstrated good basic skills, with just a few mistakes dotted here and there to work on, for example getting between their dog and the judge, and stopping too close to either the ring edge or the judge after moving individually. They each showed a reasonable knowledge of canine anatomy and an excellent rapport with their respective dogs. Above all, they were cheerful, smiling and sporting, all really important qualities that I hope they will always have, win or lose. I wish them all success and fun in equal measure as they progress.

AGES 6 - 11 YEARS (4 entries, 2 absent)

1st CLARA TUDOR handling a GSP, sympathetic handler who showed an excellent understanding of her dog's needs & didn't panic when it suddenly put the brakes on & refused to move across the ring, she just got its attention back & quietly started again from the beginning, she moved it at the correct speed & in straight lines, she held the lead tidily gathered in one hand, Best Junior Handler on her neatness & poise

2nd CATHERINE CHANDLER handling an ESS, this young lady worked very hard & did extremely well to control a strong exuberant male puppy, she moved her dog at a good pace & gave him lots of encouragement, she concentrated on what I wanted her to do and clearly was really enjoying working with her dog, she has lots of confidence for one so young and with more practice will be a super calm handler

AGES 12 - 16 YEARS (5 entries, 4 absent)

1st LILY KITSON handling an Irish Setter, a very neat & effective handler who worked hard to show her dog to advantage including wearing a lovely jacket that complimented her dog's coat colour, she just needs to be aware that an unbuttoned jacket can flap about & obstruct the judge's view of her dog, in the challenge lost out to Clara through not watching where I was or what I was doing, I was told after judging that this was her first attempt at handling, which I wouldn't have guessed, hope she perseveres after a promising start

(Judge)