South Of England Gundog Club

South of England Gundog Club.

21st December 2025.

Irish Water Spaniels.

What a treat it was to enjoy four examples of this lovely native breed on one occasion. I was especially delighted to learn that by BOB winner had been out on the foreshore the day before retrieving wildfowl.

Puppy (2 entries).

1. Hempstead Cuvana Gilliflower. The more mature of the littermates, upstanding, strongly built and really balanced for one so young, scored with well sprung ribs which were placed well back, despite being a little excitable moved soundly and freely and easily, covered in dense ringlets of a rich dark liver colour, lovely tight feet. Pushed hard for BOB, but BP and one to watch, I am sure.

2. Hempstead Cuvana Red Streak. Litter sister to 1, a little less forward but nothing to worry about, femineity in abundance, she wasn’t totally focused on the job in hand but gave a really good account of herself and she has much promise and much to offer, would be better separated from her brother, I am sure.

Special Yearly (0 entries).

Open (2 entries).

1. Hempstead Ch Riverforest Irish Eider At Cuvana SWGC. Loved the body and size of this one, hard to believe she is the age she is, so very sound and clearly enjoying her day out, classic in outline, with dense crisp liver ringlets throughout, in the hardest of condition and super to handle underneath the coat, not in the least surprised she has her title. BOB.

2. Hempstead Scrumpy Dabinett at Cuvana WGC. A younger exhibit than one, today she wasn’t in the best of coats, regrettably, but scored in topline, well bent stifles a head and expression that is super to go over, I am sure there is more to come of this bitch on a different day, when her coat is more settled.

Irish Red & White Setter.

Puppy (0).

Postgraduate (0).

Open (1).

1. O’Kelly & Hancock Coolfin the Ecstasy of Gold at Caradilis. Stood alone, regrettably, but I was immediately struck by the strength and power of this, athletic exhibit with substance but in no way overdone, strong and muscular in body which sloped slightly towards the tail, clean and confident on the move, would win in good company, in super hard condition and very well presented. BOB.

Labrador Retriever.

Apologies my notes for this breed are not as detailed as I would have liked, my hands were extremely cold and I was struggling to write to best advantage.

Puppy Dog (1,1)

Puppy Bitch (3,1)

1. Wilmhurst Mandamay Scarlett Ribbons. A pleasing pup well bent stifles, dense coat for one so young, lovely personality which shone through, lovely tight feet and showed herself to best advantage. BP.

2. Stringer Tumbledown Yours Truly. Lovely young pup, plenty of early promise, just not the ring presence of 1 yet, all in good time, much to like though kind typical eye, good ribs and of nice size and outline.

Junior (5,3)

1. Wilmhurst Dolwen Wish Upon A Star of Mandamay. Mature male, good to handle, correct texture of coat and of lovely colour, held his topline on the stack and move, lovely tight feet, good size and shape to the ear, moved with ease.

2. Harrison Llanstinan Cooper Kettle with Stebel. Different type to 1, but in no way incorrect, soft appealing expression, very laid back which wasn’t overly helpful, a little more engagement and enthusiasm would do well.

Special Yearling (5,2).

1. Lowden Scarlett Ribbon of Labonsea. Really liked the size and shape of this one, so typical in outline, with nothing overdone, she has femininity in abundance and is balanced fore and rear, good coat super body and in good order throughout, being picking I’d prefer a lower tail carriage. Ended the day being BOB.

2. Mount Buckholt Mahogany Millie. Unlucky to meet on in such good form, more moderate in angles than one but not incorrect but didn’t have the same capacity on the move, appealing and pleasing none the less.

Post Graduate (8,2)

1. Lowden Scarlett Ribbon Ribbon of Labonsea. As above.

2. Welford Richbourne Legally Blonde at Ankari. Pushed 1 all the way, in this, the best class of the day, fabulous expression, very honest, just lacked the condition of 1 but otherwise much to like, excellent coat in both colour and texture, moved well and with considerable ease.

Open Dog (2)

1. Newman Creamwood Silver Hawthorn. Upstanding male, showed himself off to best advantage, super neck and shoulders, moved very well coming and going and ease going around, scores in head and expression.

2. Mount Buckholt Hornpiper Hector. Happy exhibit longer in body than 1, didn’t hold his topline as strongly 1, stifles well bent and balanced liked his size and substance not as clean coming and going as the winner.

Open Bitch (4,1)

1. Lowden Scarlett Ribbon Ribbon of Labonsea. As above.

2. King, Johnson & Johnson Creamino Country Charm. Mature bitch took my eye, scores in neck and shoulders just not quite the drive and determination of 1 today. Didn’t make the most of the ring in striding out, but sound with a typical gait.

Veteran (6,3)

1. Wagstaff & Venables Kimbajack Precious Metal JW. Showed very well and in excellent condition, good bone, scores in head and expression with well set ears, moved very well had an appealing personality.

2. Mount Buckholt Desert Storm Duke. Lighter in condition than 1, didn’t make best use of his tail today sadly, liked the length of leg to body ratio, lovely, relaxed attitude and had great appeal.

The Celia Woodbridge Memorial A V Open Stakes (23,10)

It was an honour to judge the first Celia Woodbridge Memorial stakes and a privilege to have such a wonderful entry to assess. A real highlight of my day.

1. Parsons Quensha Thinking Out Loud At Bransett JW. Stood out immediately and commanded by attention, superbly presented, balanced upstanding and beautiful to handle, moved with drive and determination and handled to absolute best advantage, strikes me that he’s now coming into his own.

2. Stevens Tollisty Shincha JW Not the maturity of the Irish placed first but soundness and type in abundance in this striking NSDTR, have appreciated this kennel before was in no way disappointed with today’s entry, full of type, immaculately presented with true showmanship, one to watch.

AV Champion Stakes (6,3)

1. Ir Sh Ch Meltarose Madeleine At Meonstroke What a reliable show girl this lady is, didn’t put a foot wrong, turned out to best advantage with the silkiest of coat, and whilst not abundant, she has more than enough, a classy honest bitch of good size and classic outline.

2. Ch Clandrift Bring Me Sunshine JW KCWGC SGWC SHCEX OSW. Upstanding happy bitch that showed so well and has the most melting of rapport with her handler, super feet, lovely coat, super head and expression and the hardest of toplines head on the stack and on the move.

Judge: Jennifer Millard.