Midland English Setter Society

MIDLAND ENGLISH SETTER SOCIETY OPEN SHOW

MAY 10TH 2026

SPECIAL AWARD CLASSES

Thank you to the MESS committee for inviting me to judge the Stakes classes at their open show, to my steward for keeping me on track and to the “catering team” for the delicious food!

Unfortunately, the Great British weather was against us meaning judging had to take place inside. This meant that some exhibits weren’t quite as settled, particularly on the move as they might normally be. There were also a number of exhibits lacking in well muscled hind quarters resulting in narrow movement and a lack of drive.

Overall I was very pleased with my entry and thank all exhibitors for supporting me on the day.

CLASS A – The Jill Christie Memorial Special Junior (8, 2) 

A lovely class with some promising youngsters.

1. McDowell’s Byedales Agatha Christie

16 month Orange Belton bitch. Pretty girl with a lean feminine head and well defined stop. Clean neck into well laid shoulders with level topline held on the move. Good rear angulation and strong hindquarters allowing her to drive out when moving, used tail well. Moved with grace and head held high. Still awaiting her coat to grow but presented a pleasing outline when stacked.  

2. Atyeo and Taylor’s Samelen Ethereal Legacy

9 month B/B/T bitch. Well put together for one so young. Very pretty girl with a dark eye of correct shape. Elbows well let down and close to body with good depth of chest for age. Good spring of rib and level topline. Short coupled with well bent stifle, enthusiastic on the move using tail well. Not quite as together as 1 on the move but sure this will come as she matures.

3. Summerseve Cezanne

CLASS B – Special Award Post Graduate (13, 2)

What a lovely class, made my job difficult to select just 5!

1. Whitehouse’s Teasmade Summer Evening (Imp Swe)

4 year old B/B/T bitch. I’ve not come across this bitch before but what a pretty, well put together girl she is. Beautiful expression with a dark oval eye. Feminine head, correct proportions stop to nose and occiput to eyes with a well defined occiput. Long lean neck leading to well set back shoulders. Well balanced when stood, short in loin and level topline, with good bend of stifle. Looked happy on the move, moving freely holding her topline with a slashing tail held almost in line with her back. Shown in good coat.

2. William’s Goldbirch Northern Disco at Skippit JW

20 month old B/B bitch. Nice dark eye with soft expression, skull and muzzle of equal length. Good reach of neck leading to correct angulation front and back. Another girl happy on the move with correct foot fall and drive. Placed behind 1 today as she was slightly longer in loin. Shown in good coat and condition. 

3. Tattersett Blue Lord JW

CLASS C – The Madge Pearson Memorial Special Award Open (8,4)

1. Darley’s Severnsett Dark Angel

6 yr old B/B bitch. Another very pretty girl with lean head, dark, kind eyes and nice low set ears, well defined stop. Slightly heavier build with good bone but not overdone and still feminine. Good depth of chest with well sprung ribs. Correct lay of shoulder and moderate angulation at the rear. Well muscled enabling her to move with drive, very happy on the move, used tail well. Tended to fidget a little on the stack causing her topline to dip but held a level topline on the move.

2. Reid’s Hunterblue Mystique At Diersett

3 yr old B/B bitch. Very feminine head, correct muzzle to skull ratio with low set ears and dark eyes giving a kind expression. Long neck into well laid shoulders and correct topline, short in loin. Excellent bend of stifle and well muscled rear allowing her to move with drive. Moved freely on a loose lead and used her tail well. Just preferred front on 1 today.

3. Pernickety Quartz 

Nicola Welburn 

(OSHOWA)