Three Counties Agricultural Society

Three Counties 2026

Australian Shepherd

PD (4,1)

1. Cowley’s Sparkaway Gets My Goat Cpw26. 9 mth old red merle who was a comfortable winner in this class for me. Super lad to go over, expertly handled and shows himself off to advantage. Beautifully balanced with clean, slightly arched neck of moderate length, firm backline, good length to ribcage, muscular loin and correct croup. Attractive head with good skull to muzzle proportions, correct eye shape, ears set on high and scissor bite. Carrying good bone, he is soundly constructed both ends and stands true in front on excellent feet. When gaiting, he pleased on the down and back and has a smooth, easy action on the go around and carries himself with style. Good quality coat. Best Dog, Best Puppy and later went on to take Puppy Group 4.  

2. Smart’s Amenbury Phoenix of Fire at Shamiraland. Red merle of 6 mths who presented a nicely balanced outline with slightly arched neck of correct length, level topline, good depth to brisket, firm loin and correct croup. Nicely proportioned head with ears set on high and correct dentition but not quite overall expression of winner. Shoulders are well laid and he stands well naturally in front on super feet. On the move, he is true coming towards and goes pretty well on the go around but is somewhat closer when going away. Very well handled.

3. Smart’s Amenbury Twin Moon at Coastalcove

JD (1,0)

1. Hutchcroft’s Norcis Algiz. 14 mth old blue merle. This youngster has much to appeal and he pleased hands on. Presenting a balanced outline with neck of moderate length which is slightly arched, firm level back, good depth to brisket, ribbing developing well and ribcage extends well back, muscular loin and correct croup. Attractive head and expression with pleasing skull to muzzle proportions, well defined stop, eyes pleased for shape and placement, ears set on high with lift when alert and correct dentition. He stands nice and straight in front and has very good feet. He carries good bone and I liked his angulation front and rear. On the move he has a lovely profile action and carriage, is accurate coming towards but just a tad closer going away. Well handled. Still to mature but worthy of Reserve Best Dog today. 

OD (4,1)

1. Wray-Ramsden’s Ch/Bel/Rs/Bih Ch/Bih Gch Caronlea Celtic Fire Starter for Takhisis JW OSW Bw24 (AI) (IKC). For me this was a rather varied class and three very different dogs competed here. This 5 yr old red tri came out on top and he has much to like and was particularly well handled here. He is a tad heavier than I prefer but he’s solid all through, all male and shows himself off at all times. Muscular neck of moderate length, firm level back, good depth to brisket, ribbing well sprung and well-muscled loin. Well off for bone he has good angles front and rear, stands true in front on very good feet and he’s well developed in forechest. Moves out well on the go around and also pleased fore and aft. Good quality coat and presentation.

2. Knott’s Zuni Someone U Loved Fallcat JW. 2 yr old blue merle who initially I thought would be the winner of this class. Out of a smaller mould but presenting a lovely outline with slightly arched neck of correct length to balance, firm level topline, brisket reaches the elbows, ribbing well sprung, muscular loin and correct croup. Pleasing head and expression with good skull to muzzle proportions, well; defined stop, oval-shaped eyes, ears set on well and scissor bite. Shoulders well laid, straight forelegs, compact feet and firm well-muscled hindquarters. He has a pleasing profile action and carries himself well but could be more accurate when coming towards. Good coat.

3. Hutchcroft’s Allmark One of These Days

OB (4,1)

1. Hodges’ Rosschell Maid to Sparkle with Jopium JW. 18 mth old blue merle who very much appealed. Totally feminine, she presents a lovely outline with slightly arched neck of moderate length, firm through the topline, brisket reaches the elbows which are held close to the chest, ribbing extends well back, muscular loin and correct croup. Most attractive head with good skull, correct oval-shaped eyes which are obliquely set, ears set on high, well defined stop and correct scissor bite. She is soundly built both ends, stands true in front on super feet and presented in firm, hard condition. On the move, she is clean when coming and going and particularly impressed on the go around with a nice easy stride and self carriage. Attentive showgirl who was so well handled. Excellent coat. Not yet mature as you expect at this age but thoroughly deserved Best Bitch & BOB here today. 

2. Wray-Ramsden’s Bel Ch Arohahills A Star Is Born for Takhisis (Imp Zaf) JW Bel Jch Bw25. Black tri of 2 yrs. This girl also has much to like and was good to go over. She is quite different to the winner and has a touch more length. Muscular neck which is slightly arched as desired, firm level topline, good depth to chest, ribbing well sprung and moderate slope to croup. Feminine headpiece with delightful expression; pleasing proportions, correct eye for shape and placement, well defined stop and correct dentition. She is well boned and soundly built both front and rear, stands naturally well and has excellent feet. Smooth profile action with correct length of stride.

3. Smart’s Birkcross She's Embracing at Shamiraland

VB (2,0)

1. Roberts’ Ch Magical Love Elvikam JW OSW VW (Imp Pol). 8 yr old red tri who is full of quality and a pleasure to go over. Feminine throughout she presents a super outline with slightly arched neck of correct length to balance, firm backline, brisket reaches the elbows, ribbing well sprung, muscular loin of breadth and correct croup. Quality head with slightly rounded skull, well defined stop, excellent eyes, ears set on high and correct dentition. Well laid shoulders, straight forelegs, excellent feet and firm, muscular hindquarters with well let down hocks. When gaiting, she greatly impressed on the go around and is accurate when coming towards. Reserve Best Bitch, although it was a close call between this girl and the Open winner, and Best Veteran. Delighted to see she went on to top the Veteran Group.  

2. Chorley’s Trijem Return of The Slayer. Blue merle of 9 yrs who is totally different to the winner and she was carrying a touch more weight than I would prefer to see. Muscular neck, firm level back, brisket of good depth, ribcage carried well back and broad well-muscled loin. Pleasing head proportions, well defined stop, ears set on high and with lift when alert and correct dentition. She stands on correct oval-shaped feet and has well laid shoulders. On the move, she went pretty well when viewed in profile and also pleased when coming towards but winner had the edge going away.   

Judge: Tim Ball