Irish Setter Breeders Club

I have been a member of the ISBC since 1986/87 and back then would not have dreamed I would one day have the honour of judging their championship show. Thank you to the Committee for the appointment. I had been looking forward to the day tremendously and it did not disappoint! The Club works very hard to deliver an enjoyable, exhibitor focussed show and they achieved this and more – congratulations to you all for a super show. My particular thanks go to Jo-Anne and Martin, my stewards on the day, for keeping everything running smoothly.

It is almost four years since I last judged, and so this was largely a new set of bitches to assess. Given the current climate a good entry awaited me, and I was pleased with the overall quality of bitches on the day. All the girls were well presented, which takes time and hard work to achieve. Thank you to all exhibitors for their entry and the effort put into presenting your girls for me to assess. When reviewing my final line up I was pleased to see a number of lovely bitches who have the potential to go on to win higher (or more) honours in the future and I wish their owners the very best of luck with them going forward.

When it came to judging best in show I was delighted to see that my co-judge, Mrs Flo Barker, had awarded the dog CC to Bardonhill Million To One, a beautiful dog who I greatly admire. However, I have also had the privilege to handle him in the past, and therefore the right thing to do was declare this and not participate in the judging of the BIS award. It was agreed that the Referee should judge BIS, which I know was a disappointment for Flo, but she fully supported my decision, and my thanks go to her for her understanding.

BPB (2, 0 abs) What a way to start the day, two promising puppies taking their first steps into the world of showing and loving every minute! 1. Bott, Allen and Morgan’s Glitterati Lofty with Quensha (Imp Poland). What a sweetie, I think she stole every heart here today. 4.5 months old, and already a striking outline, super front, arched neck flowing into well laid shoulders and firm topline. Balanced throughout. Super neat feet. Lovely head with prettiest of expressions. I’m sure a very bright future lays ahead and I will follow her with great interest. Best Baby Puppy In Show.

2. Pike’s Redclyst Glenury Aoife. Just 4 months and 1 day old but not phased by the showring at all. Pleasing, balanced outline and good reach of neck, straight front and another with nice feet. Balanced head with appealing expression. Moved steadily.

MPB (7, 2 abs) 1. Turner’s Dazycutter Thegirlsonfire, she was the most balanced girl in this class and was a clear winner today both on the stack and on the move. She is well put together, with a lovely front, strong hindquarters for her age and a super dark coat. She has a balanced head with a pretty expression and that hint of naughtiness that is so typical for her age.

2. George’s Dazycutter Fire Dancer, this girl was not co-operative with her handler but there was much to like about her. She is well made, balanced with a good reach of neck and a pleasing head and expression. It was not until after her placing that her owner confessed this was her first attempt at showing. I hope she will persevere with her.

3. Davie’s Zimbra Della Magna Sila at Lochfrae (Imp Ita).

PB (6, 2 abs) 1. Sketchley’s Sametsuz So To Speak. What a lovely puppy! Really eye-catching, balanced, feminine outline which she held well on the move, moving steadily and using her tail to advantage. Good reach of neck, and front assembly, nice depth of chest, well bodied and firm topline. Balanced, feminine head with a pretty expression. Super dark coat in lovely condition. Went on to take Best Puppy In Show – well deserved.

2. McLaren’s Keljaru Taif Rose at Teuschon. A nice puppy, pleasing balanced outline. Pretty head with soft melting expression. Good angulation and well developed hindquarters which helped her to move steadily.

3. White’s Paduan True Light.

JB (6, 1 abs) 1. Green & Holehan-Green’s Loganrish Winter Pearl Moon JW, one I have watched from the ringside and was delighted to get the chance to go over. A very promising 13 month old girl with a lovely balanced outline, presenting a very pleasing picture. Super front and rear assembly with good depth of chest, strong arched neck. Attractive head with raised brows and quizzical expression. Moved soundly and with confidence.

2. Roberts Polmennor Pandora, such a feminine bitch, eye catching racy outline, super neck flowing into firm topline and stands over her ground well. Pretty head but I preferred the expression of 1 at this stage. Moved soundly holding her topline.

3. Glonekova’s Glimmer Noblesse Fascination.

YB (6, 3 abs) 1. Peter’s Bluesprings Love Of My Life for Shirlilah JW, feminine bitch who is maturing nicely won this class on her overall balance and attractive head. She has an elegant outline, good depth of chest and strong well arched neck. Her hindquarters need to develop further to compliment the maturity of her front, but this should come with time. Moved soundly, steadily and happily using her tail and coat presented in good condition.

2. Taylor’s Dendroch Anne Frank, a pleasing bitch, another maturing along the right lines, good forequarters and depth of chest and firm topline. Good reach of neck, balanced head with pleasing expression and moved soundly.

3. Evans’ Riverbrue Pixie

MB (3, 2 abs) 1. Shepherd’s Casachared Joleens Lady Red, a slightly larger built bitch but still balanced. Good depth of chest and spring of rib and well bodied. Balanced head with low set ears. Glossy dark coat, more feathering will help complete the picture. Moved more steadily in this class.

NB (4, 2 abs) 1. White’s Paduan Golden Girl, this girl presents a racy, feminine outline. Deep chest and well shaped hindquarters. Her balanced head is long and lean, with a kind expression and raised brows. Super dark coat in good condition.

2. Allum’s Zakhan’s Sky Dancer Del Macarica, this girl has a good depth of chest, and spring of rib. Balanced head with kind eyes. She has a nice dark coat with good feathering. Moved steadily and was clearly enjoying her day out.

UGB (7, 3 abs) 1. Roberts Polmennor Spice of Life JW, this is such a racy, pretty bitch with a clean and elegant outline. Very well made, and similar qualities to her sister who was second in Junior and I can see why both have had such successful careers to date. This girl has, at this stage, the more balanced head with lovely kind eyes. She has an outgoing character and moved round the ring in style carrying herself with confidence. Super dark glossy coat. This lucky owner/breeder has two lovely girls to campaign going forwards.

2. Rutherford’s Clonageera Summer Moments JW, an attractive bitch, well made throughout with good depth of chest and firm topline, strong hindquarters and super dark coat. Balanced head with pleasing expression. Moved soundly. Just preferred the raciness of 1.

3. Murchison’s Harelferg Penny Lane via Corphin

GB (15 3) A super class with a number of quality girls. 1. Neill, Ellrich & Jones’ Gwendariff Flirt In A Skirt, what a lovely girl this bitch is, she caught my eye on entering the ring and was a joy to go over. Such an attractive outline, she is elegant, balanced and carries herself well on the move. Pretty head, long and lean with kind eyes under raised brows. Flows from nose to tail, well arched neck, good depth of chest and firm topline which she held on the move. Moved soundly and with style. Presented in a gleaming coat. I think she has a very bright future.

2. Williamson’s Caskeys United With Bluesprings JW, this is another pretty bitch with a lovely head with a sweet expression and lovely raised brows. Attractive, racy outline with gently sloping topline, good depth of chest and well sprung rib. Well developed hindquarters. Quality bitch with all parts fitting together smoothly. Moved well holding her topline and showing herself to advantage but not quite the sparkle of 1 on the day.

3. Carter’s Bardonhill Little Darlin’.

PG (11, 4 abs) 1. Mugford’s Kedalita Abfab for Lynwood JW, two quality girls headed this class, both have eye catching outlines, were presented in excellent condition and pushed each other hard for first place. This girl gained the win for her more balanced hindquarters, which she used to drive steadily round the ring. She has a straight front and good forechest, gently sloping topline and has correct angulation. She possesses a lovely head with a soft, appealing expression.

2. Hall’s Riverbrue Ophelia Love Glennara JW, similar remarks apply, she has a lovely outline, all parts fitting together smoothly and a lovely head and expression. I liked her size, make and shape, topped with a super dark coat and an outgoing personality. Unlucky to meet 1 today.

3. Hunter & Brown’s Glencarron Another Chapter at Braidmount.

ML (12, 2 abs) Another strong class. 1. Danks’ Alolfrana Electra, a young bitch who has recently shot to fame and I can see why. It was a joy to watch her on the move as she drives round the ring in style. ‘Hands on’ she is lovely to go over, with everything fitting together so well, and presented in excellent condition. Of a nice size, she is balanced and feminine with a pleasing head and expression. Today in the challenge she had to make way for the more mature girls who, for me, presented the more finished article but I am sure she has a bright future and wish her owner good luck with her.

2. Sloane’s Ferasheen Pop The Champers JW, a girl I have admired from the ringside. This is a lovely bitch with a racy, eye catching outline. She is balanced and feminine throughout with good fore and rear angulation, gently sloping topline and strong hindquarters. Balanced head with a lovely expression. Now coming back into coat, what she has is of lovely colour and condition. She is still young and I believe there is more to come for this promising girl.

3. McDonald’s Quensha Galway Girl.

LB (5, 1 abs) 1. Hall’s Harreds Lillie, I have never seen this girl looking better and she had to be on top form to push a favourite of mine into second place. She is so feminine, balanced, of good size and of lovely type - free from exaggeration and so well put together. A classic outline, racy with good body proportions and correct front and rear angulation. She possesses a lovely head with a soft, melting expression and a hint of naughtiness that just makes her more appealing. She moves soundly and gracefully and carries sufficient coat and feathering to enhance the overall picture presented. She is quite simply a lovely bitch and I very much hope that she goes on to achieve her title. RCC, and RBIS on the Referee’s decision.

2. Bott, Allen & Morgan’s Quensha Joker And The Queen, one I have admired since a puppy, she is such a pretty bitch, beautifully made with an elegant outline. She has the most lovely head and expression, raised brows and lovely dark eyes. Lovely front construction, well laid back shoulders and good depth of chest. Strong hindquarters and super dark coat in lovely condition. Presents a lovely picture, I just wish she would show herself to advantage on the move.

3. Heather’s Sixoaks My Fair Lady JW.

OB (8, 1 abs) A lovely class with a number of girls I have admired from the ringside leading to some difficult decisions on the day. 1. Douthwaite & Wharfe’s Sh Ch Quensha Beautiful Stranger of Gracewood, I judged this beautiful girl as a youngster and she has gone on to fulfil her early promise, gaining the confidence to show herself to advantage along the way. She has matured into a bitch of lovely type, with a racy outline that is balanced from every angle – from her well constructed front, correct length of neck, firm and gently slowing topline to her strong hindquarters and well set on tail – she flows from the tip of her nose to the tip of her tail. Her movement is sound and steady and the gentle wag of her tail just adds to a pleasing picture on the move. She has a lovely head, feminine with super dark eyes, raised brows and a melting expression. Presented in a gleaming dark coat. So glad that her owners gave me the opportunity to judge her again at her peak. It gave me great pleasure to award her a very well deserved 3rd CC to add to her 2 CC’s & 5 RCC’s and the ringside cheer made it an even more special moment. Went on to take BIS under the Referee – Congratulations.

2. Mugford’s Sh Ch Lynwood Rather Scrumptious JW, another lovely bitch from this kennel, elegant, eye catching outline, well constructed front, strong well arched neck, good depth of chest and strong hindquarters. Lovely head, as one would expect from her breeding, with pretty expression. Presented in lovely coat and condition. Moved very soundly. A very worthy show champion.

3. Hall’s Sh Ch Glennara Cherry Cola JW.

VB (7, 0 abs) Lovely to see all the special girls in this class enjoying their day out. It was quite an emotional class to judge, particularly watching them working with their handlers, who they have clearly developed strong partnerships with. 1. Mugford’s Sh Ch Lynwood Abracadabra JW, I judged this lovely girl as a puppy and since then she has gone on to achieve great success. Now nine she is just starting to show her age, but her quality and qualities cannot be denied. She is beautiful from nose to tail, of lovely type, she is so typical of her breeding. She has a pleasing, balanced outline and the most lovely head and expression, the little grey she carries does not detract from her beautiful face. And she can still move round the ring with style! Thank you for bringing her.

2. Hunter’s Sh Ch/Int Sh Ch Fairhaven Electra, another well known, top quality bitch, belying her years and I appreciated the opportunity to go over her. She is balanced, with a racy outline, feminine but with substance and beautifully made. Super neck and shoulders, firm topline and strong hindquarters. Lovely head and expression. Presented in beautiful coat and condition and another who still knows how to move. Just preferred the overall type of 1.

3. Edward’s Sh Ch Gwendariff Its Numero Uno at Bonhomie.

SBB (5, 1 abs) 1. Williams Alolfrana Isadora Dances for Lavansands, attractive bitch, nice size and shape with good length of neck, good forechest and firm topline. Balanced fore and hind quarters. Pleasing head and expression. Moved soundly.

2. Knight’s Paduan Feel The Love, this bitch presents a pleasing shape, she has a good reach of neck and firm topline. Balanced head with kind eye and expression. Super glossy coat. Moved out with confidence but needs to settle into her stride as she was enjoying herself a little too much.

3. White’s Paduan True Light

Becky Box (Judge)