Border Union Agricultural Society

Border Union Championship Show, 14th June 2026 

English Setters 

My first championship show appointment and I would like to thank Border Union Agricultural Society for the invitation and their hospitality. Special thanks also to my very capable ring stewards, Morag and Les, who ensured the appointment was not only enjoyable, but that everything ran smoothly. 

I would also like to thank all those exhibitors who entered under me, some travelling very long distances, for giving me the opportunity to assess your beautiful English Setters. Some of the dogs found the ground very interesting and, sadly for their owners, they simply wouldn’t move today, preferring to stick their heads to the ground and crab. So dogs that I know can move very well just threw it away today. I have to mention the limit and open classes in bitches, my goodness I was spoiled for choice. Any one of those exhibits could have changed places on another day and I am truly grateful to have had the chance to have my hands on such quality. 

I was so very pleased to discover that both my CC winners were made up into show champions on the day 

Sadly my BOB and Best Veteran were unable to stay for the groups. The puppy did stay and, to my great delight, was awarded Puppy Group 4. 

Minor Puppy Dog (no entries) 

Puppy Dog (1) 

1st Howarths Samelen Enchanto at Moorbrook. 11 months old orange, stood alone but filled my eye the moment he entered the ring. Although all male he is so elegant, has a refined head with plenty of work in it, lovely dark eyes, oval skull and low set ears. Strong arched neck into excellent layback of shoulder. Lovely round bone and great angulation, presented in wonderful coat and condition. He has a fabulous outline when standing and held his topline on the move, correct tail carriage completed the picture as he went round. Although giving his handler a hard time, his quality just shone through. I couldn’t take my eyes off him in the challenge and was delighted to award him the RCC. BPD & BPIB. Was thrilled to hear later that he was awarded Puppy Group 4. 

Junior Dog (no entries) 

Yearling Dog (3) 

1st Taylors Kanietter Goldmandine of Tattay. Nice head on this light blue boy, with the darkest of eyes, stop still developing at this stage but lots to like about him. Long neck flowing into good shoulders, lovely straight front and nice tight feet. Very well muscled. He looks an absolute picture standing, he is very flashy and carries a lovely coat, presented to perfection. Best mover in the class. 

2nd Beasleys Latjeata Jack’s The Lad JW. Gorgeous head on this dark blue boy, with dark eyes and a melting expression. Straight front and deep in brisket, good angulation front and rear. So well made throughout and in full coat too. Thought he would be my winner but, sadly, just didn’t want to move today. Such a shame as he is very promising. 

3rd Welsh Goldbirch Northern Blues 

Novice Dog (2,1) 

1st Howarths Samelen Enchanto of Moorbrook 

Graduate Dog (4) 

1st Pitts & Normansells Larrenie Hearththrob Dark tri who, from the moment he walked into the ring, gave his handler a hard time. I wasn’t disappointed when I lay my hands on him. From the first look you can see that he has everything in correct proportions, the stunning head with the naughty sparkle in his eyes, the deep, square muzzle with wide nostrils and strong jaw, correct dentition. Great angulation front and rear and an abundance of silky coat. Added to that, the powerful drive from strong hindquarters makes him an exciting prospect. I look forward to seeing him again once he is fully mature.  

2nd Pearsons Bournehouse Augustus at Yessandi JW. Another tri boy who was very unlucky to meet 1st place. Really nice head of correct proportions, melting expression, chiselled features with low set ears. Strong arched neck into good shoulders. Straight front and lovely round bone, tight feet. Moved out well, holding his topline and keeping his tail level as he went. Would like to see him again when in full coat. 

3rd Steads Ravensett Illusionist of Settasvista 

Post Graduate dog (3,2) 

Arkleys Tattersett Blue Lord JW This is one boy I have admired from the ringside and was keen to have the chance to assess him. I was not disappointed. So very well balanced, he has a beautiful head with such a kind eye, correct dentition, wide nostrils and is just very masculine, whilst retaining that elegance we look for. Excellent condition throughout, lovely long silky coat. Sadly he just refused to move today, much preferring to examine the grass as he went.   

Limit Dog (2) 

1st Williams Richecca Midwinter Dark tri who carries the most beautiful head. It is long and lean with a good stop and he has such kind eyes. He isn’t a big dog but so well balanced, good depth of brisket and correct angulation so, when stacked, he presents a perfect profile. A very sound mover with excellent tail carriage. A dog who, in my opinion, deserves his title and he was considered for top honours. 

2nd Thomsons Maursett Morganite for Caspellwynd This boy is a picture standing, at 5 years old he is fully mature, well off for bone, dripping in coat and very pleasing to the eye. Lost out on movement today. 

Open dog (3) 

1st Pitts Wandsfell Dreamkeeper This boy, at only 2 ½ years old is fully mature, absolutely dripping in coat and totally all male. Another that just screams “look at me” as they enter the ring. My notes say that he has a head to die for, I remember looking into his dark eyes and thinking how gentle his expression is. He has a beautiful head, everything as it should be from the square muzzle and the wide nostrils, to those dark eyes and chiselled features. He has a strong arched neck into the best of shoulders, round bone and tight feet. He is short coupled and well angled front and back, His tail is set in line with the back and, when he moved out, his topline was level and his tail was lashing from side to side. He is so muscular he just powered around the ring. Definitely the best mover of all the dogs present today. Pleased to award him the CC and delighted to learn that this was his 3rd. 

2nd Seamans Sh Ch Mariglen Just George Blue boy who I judged as a puppy and loved, so pleased to have the chance to assess him as an adult. A very elegant boy, built on finer lines than 1st but still very masculine. Lovely head and expression, strong neck into clean shoulders, very balanced throughout. His movement today was a bit erratic but I am pretty sure that was down to the ground. 

3rd Catton & Cooks Valsett Starlite Sky Storm with Ferngate 

Veteran Dog (2,1) 

Johnstons Wansleydale Beguiled of Loonbrae. 7 ½ years old boy who is looking very well. Nice head with lovely dark eye, correct dentition. Shown in lovely coat and condition Nice angles for and aft, good body properties, moved out well with correct tail action. 

Minor Puppy Bitch (2) 

1st Patons Meadowfoot Drops of Jupiter, such a sweet expression on this 8 month old blue puppy, who I found quite mature for her age. Feminine head with dark eye, correct dentition. Lovely round bone, well ribbed up and nicely angulated. To complete the picture she was in fabulous coat for a youngster. Her movement was true and steady, she held her topline and carried her tail correctly. 

2nd Corfields Indibrooke Frida, 7 month old tricolour bitch with the most beautiful head and expression. A lot less mature than 1st and a little loose in movement, but held her topline beautifully and wagged her tail as she went. 

Puppy Bitch (1) 

Steads Bondgate Miss Melodramatic of Settavista 12 month old blue bitch with feminine head and dark eye, good shape to the skull and low set ears. Good reach of neck and decent shoulders, short coupled and perfect tail set. Absolutely dripping in coat so looked quite the picture standing and moved out well, although, sadly, lost some enthusiasm in the next class. BPB 

Junior Bitch (3) 

1st Isherwoods Larennie Paperheart of Laverstoke, I see she is litter sister to my Graduate dog winner and is of the same good quality. Very feminine head with the darkest of eyes and a gentle expression, nicely shaped skull and low set ears. Very clean through the neck and shoulders with good body proportions and is well ribbed. Her outline is beautiful when stacked, she is just so well balanced. She moved out very well, keeping her topline and wagging her tail as she went. Best mover in the class. 

2nd Reids Diersett Moon of The Skies, this orange bitch has a beautiful head, long and lean, nice reach of neck into a good layback of shoulder. Longer cast than 1st and not as balanced at this time, but so much to like about her. Presented in great coat and condition. Happy mover, wagging her tail as she went but would like to see more reach in front movement.   

3rd Steads Bondgate Miss Melodramatic of Settavista 

Yearling Bitch (3,1) 

1st Reids Diersett Moon of The Skies 

2nd Beasleys Latjeata Cup of Kindness JW 23 month old orange bitch with the most exquisite head. Good layback of shoulder and well ribbed up. Correct angulation front and rear, very well muscled, another presented to perfection. She moved so happily around the ring but was just a bit proud of her tail today. Close decision between two very nice bitches. 

Novice Bitch (no entries) 

Graduate Bitch (1) 

Welburns Oshawa Just A Dream JW 2 year old blue bitch, stood alone but would hold her own in the best company, I am sure. She has good substance whilst remaining elegant. Her head and expression are so feminine, good reach of neck and clean shoulders, very well bodied and good muscular condition. Shown in peak condition and moved around the ring as if she owned it. 

Post Graduate Bitch (1) 

Hoskins Scillysett One Vision 2 year old blue bitch. My first impression was that she was a lovely shape when stacked. Her head is feminine with a well defined stop and plenty of detail. Long neck, deep chest and tight elbows, well ribbed up. Presented in good coat. Sadly didn’t want to move out today. 

Limit Bitch (9,1) 

1st Hutchinson & Dennis Mariglen My Heart Will Go On with Monaysbridge JW This blue belton bitch had to be top drawer to win this fantastic class. Not only is she glamorous, she has the attitude and movement to hold her own in the very best company. She has the most beautiful head of correct proportions, a kind and gentle expression with just a hint of mischief in those eyes. She has the correct conformation from the reach of neck to her perfect tailset. Well off for bone and presented to perfection. Such a happy mover, didn’t put a foot wrong. Very deserving of her title, which is hopefully just around the corner.  

2nd Patons Bournehouse Eternal Flame for Meadowfoot JW Another lovely bitch, of super type, who is also deserving of her title. Lovely outline when stacked, possesses a sweet head with the correct shape skull and low set ears. Lovely dark eyes, wide nostrils and square muzzle. Long, arched neck, short back and correct tailset. Barrelled ribs and strong rear quarters, which she used to power herself around the ring. Another beautifully presented exhibit. 

3rd Stephensons Bournehouse in Dreams at Steeplow 

Open Bitch (8,2) 

1st Dykes Caleydene Connextion Wow, another class full of quality and, in top spot, was this beautiful orange bitch that I have admired ever since I judged her a few years ago. Today she could do no wrong, even in the best of company. She is so very pretty, oozes femininity with a balanced outline and, to top it all, she went around the ring as if she owned it. She possesses a strong, arched neck which leads into well constructed shoulders, straight front, good round bone and the neatest of feet. Good spring of ribs, deep in brisket and wide in the loins. Lovely bend of stifle with short hocks. Best mover in the class, I was pleased to award her the CC and absolutely delighted to learn that this was her 3rd. 

2nd Taylors Sh Ch Wansleydale Honey Bee JW a stunning tricolour bitch that just oozes quality and is a worthy champion. Feminine head with a kind eye and well defined stop, wide nostrils and square muzzle. Super forehand with well angulated shoulders and return of upper arm. Good spring of ribs and strong, muscular quarters. So well made and this showed in her movement. Close decision between 1st and 2nd but 1st just pulled it out of the bag with her showmanship today. RCC 

3rd Seamans Mariglen Indigo 

Veteran Bitch (3,1) 

1st Beasleys Wansleydale Amaretto at Latjeata VW Tricolour of almost 8 years of age. Beautiful balanced head with correct oval eye, low set ears. She really belies her age, she is firm in the topline, well angulated and deep in brisket. So well constructed and she could show the youngsters a thing or two about movement. As she strode out she maintained her topline and her tail was lashing as she went. Best Veteran. 

2nd Vassies Rowanmyle Bonnie Lasses 7 year old orange bitch, well made but presentation could have been better. She possesses a very nice head with a lovely expression and beautiful dark eye. Nicely angulated with a correct topline. Moved well enough but couldn’t match 1st. 

Sheree Parrish (Judge)