South Of England Irish Setter Club

Irish Setter Association Open Show.

20th May 2026.

My thanks to the committee of the Irish Setter Association for this much anticipated appointment. What a treat it was! It was a quintessentially English day, with such a lovely, relaxed atmosphere, the dogs were settled and at ease in the warmer weather, so well catered for by exhibitors and the committee. My thanks for the thoughtful and kind hospitality throughout the day. A special mention to my kind efficient volunteer stewards – Susan and Linda.

I thoroughly enjoyed assessing the exhibits and was pleased with the standard, my only overriding comments, are that I wasn’t anticipating such variance in heads and upper arms were lacking length and angulation in some.

It was a very warm day, at times we paused to allow the other show to proceed and as I judged bitches first, I noted that some dogs were lacking a touch of sparkle, to accommodate the heat, the males were moved a touch less.

Baby Puppy Bitch (0).

Minor Puppy Bitch (2,1).

1. Bryant, Dazycutter Crownedbyfire 8-month-old little lady, struck me as clean coming and going, with a lovely head and expression, her brows are emerging, I thought she was balanced and moderate, her coat is developing correctly, topline sloping but not exaggerated, lovely long but proportionate neck, full of early promise.

Puppy Bitch (4).

1. Prangle Heathclare Feberge. Fought had and was rewarded, won on presence of forechest and deep of chest, she had an edge of maturity over 2, lovely topline, good arched feet, nice strong neck, super silky coat, I thought she was a sound honest sort who headed a strong class, will watch her with interest BPIS.

2. Stevenson Gwendariff Cracklin Rosie for Lochlorien (IKC) pushed one all the way, and was my winner at the outset, but gave way in the end beautifully presented, super lean head of oval shape, clean coming and going and covered the ground with ease going around. No doubt they could swop places.

Junior Bitch (1,1).

Yearling Bitch (1).

1. Bouttle & Burbridge Ixia The Lovecats. I thought she was racy, typical of lovely size and on the move was quote effortless, she was in such super hard condition, yet had a coat and glamour ones expects. Not the biggest but still there was more than enough, would prefer a little more upper arm, but thoroughly enjoyed assessing her. I just loved her type, unmistakably ‘Irish’ RBB.

Maiden Bitch (2,1).

1. Sweenet Orange Starburst Correct topline, and balanced in angles to the fore and rear, well arched toes, good strong dentition, lovely coat, and the most laid back of temperaments, I would prefer less weight which would soften her outline and improve her in body.

Novice Bitch (3,1)

1. Stevenson Gwendariff Cracklin Rosie for Lochlorien (IKC). See Puppy Bitch.

2. Davie Zimbra Della Magna Sila At Lochfrae (Imp Ita). Racey bitch of lovely shape and outline, she was determined to not present herself to the best of advantage which cost her today, lovely type, correct outline and moved well. Would like to see her when she’s feeling a touch more cooperative.

Graduate Bitch (7,1).

1. Parsons Quensha Thinking Out Loud at Bransett JW. A quality unassuming bitch, her silhouette was what I had been looking for, good and substance without coarseness, her head and expression appealed and she was shown to the best of advantage, deep in chest with a spring of rib some lacked, would prefer a touch less weight to complete the picture.

2. Rogers Clonageera Summer Magic JW. A flashy bitch more substance all over than 1, a little larger all over but not incorrect, would prefer more fullness to her muzzle, hocks well down, super hard topline, which she held on the move, would just like a touch more femininity.

Postgraduate (2,1).

1. Bott Bardonhill As You Like It. A lovely quality mature bitch, not in the best of coats today, sadly which cost her, my notes say super head and expression, which I could have admired for longer, lovely type and correct substance, would like to see in full bloom, so there is more of that super rich red coat.

Limit (5,2).

1. Sloane Ferasheen Pop The Champers JW. An eye-catching exhibit handled and presented to the very best of standards, really scores in the middle with good depth, well spring ribs and a strong topline, for me she boarders on being a little too exaggerated with a real sweeping to her rear quarters, but I can see the appeal.

2. Parsons Forfarian Flutt’r Yer Lashes At Bransett I preferred the type and outline of this lady, but I felt she fell away in the croup a little, well off for a silky deep red coat, she’s a real honest sort and oh so balanced front and rear. I was hard pushed and today she had to settle for second, but I am sure they could change places.

Open Bitch (1)

1. Heather Sh Ch Sixoaks My Fair Lady JW. The gentlest of racy ladies, who is oh so typical and lovely to go over, nothing overdone but unmistakeably ‘Irish’, moves well and cleanly and eats up the ring. I liked her head but there could be a touch more all over, if I am being picky. I was delighted to award her BB and BIS. It was my pleasure to assess her today and it was a treat to watch up show so well in spite of the warm conditions.

Veteran Bitch (3,1).

1. Fox Kerryfair Special Diamond. This lady showed so well and was a reminder of how this breed have so much longevity, I liked for size, shape and showmanship, really not showing her age at all, she is balanced and moved so very soundly, I did consider her for higher honours.

2. Heather Sixoaks Leading Lady. So much to like about this lady, but her coat was not in the best of sorts today, which cost her the class sadly, lovely type and a correct eye shape to go with her oval head and long neck, moved so well, a real credit to her owner.

Baby Puppy Dog (1).

1. Berry & Morris Forfarian The Uncloaked. This little chap stole the show, just awoken from nap time, he charmed us all. Laid back, unhurried but so sound and masculine but with the raciness one expects and so showy. He stood alone, but I am sure that a bright future awaits. He couldn’t help but make you smile.

Minor Puppy Dog (1).

1. Thunder Dazycutter Blazing Fire. 8-month chap, with a maturity beyond his years, coping so well in the heat, masculine, but not overdone, scores in front with straight legs and a cleanliness coming that many would envy, an long easy striding is emerging as is a super coat.

Puppy Dog (1).

1. Pullen & Atkin Covarney Can’t Hear You At Jacingail. A really proposing exhibit, a little unsettled in the heat, which was entirely forgivable, lovely angulation to the rear, really appealing head which was correct but masculine, would love to see in him on less fidgety form. BPD.

Junior Dog (0).

Yearling Dog (2).

1. Foster Ixia Boys Don’t Cry At Shanoah JW. Just for his age and maturing so well, fabulous type, unexaggerated and lovely topline, which he held on the move, oval head and classic expression, would perhaps like a little more of him, but that might well come. One to watch,

2. Harris Fairhaven Young Soul For Konkakela JW (Imp Swe). An eye-catching exhibit, perhaps a little exaggerated for my liking, but so much to like, about his coat and condition and showmanship one the move he was sound and covered the ring with ease despite the heart.

Maiden Dog (0).

Novice (Dog).

Graduate Dog (2,1).

1. Sheldon Bardeonhill That’s All Right At Delsanto. Another one starting to struggle with the heat, really liked the leanness to his skull, correct planes which made his head a pleasure to study, typey and of super-size, topline a little unsettled today, which I suspect was down to the conditions.

Post Graduate (2,1).

1. Bentley Penclippin Jubilee Flame. 3-year-old male lovely shape and silhouette, substance and angulation without being overdone, really appreciated the richness and depth to his red coat, which was offset beautifully in the sunlight.

Limit Dog (4).

1. Richardon Bardonhill Mcintosh Red At Montgreenan JW. I really liked this chap, he was a pleasure to go over, lovely long neck, super strng topline, kept his typy outline on the move, he moved around the ring with a determination and ease and easily convinced me he could go all day. In the line, he just gave away on maturity and was starting to tire, which was a shame.nRBD.

2. Sheldon Bardonhill A Million Ways to Delsanto. My class winner at first glance and pushed 1 all day, less exaggerated and more unassuming that 1, but neither were incorrect, tail carriage detracted a little today, sadly, but a quality exhibit through and through.

Open Dog (1).

1. Parsons Quensha Thinking Out Loud At Bransett JW. Mature four-year male, just coming into his best I suspect, composed and coping well in the heat, lovely topline with a slight arch to his loin, super condition, well off for rib, sufficiently narrow but gave the impression he good go all day too, loved cleanly coming and going and going around. He was my BD, RBIS AND BOS. He’s a credit to his owner.

Veteran Dog (3,1).

1. Gilks Sutersett Mr Mistoffelees At Gochmawr. Lovely older chap, giving away very little in age, coat in remarkable condition for age, moderate but balanced, a quality chap shown in fabulous condition and copy so very well in the heat.

2. Russel Melmara Montabano. 7-year-old, not so keen on the warmer conditions, lovely ear set, well bent stifles on the move he wasn’t giving his best and was a little unsettled which cost him higher honours, would be interested to see him in difference circumstances.

Judge: Jennifer Millard.