South Of England Irish Setter Club Open Show 2004 (Worplesdon)

On Sunday 27^th June I was honoured to judge the South Of England Irish Setter Club’s open show.  We had lovely bright, sunny weather with a brisk breeze which was ideal for showing off the coats of our lovely breed.

Unfortunately there were a large number of absentees, but the overall quality of the dogs present was extremely high.  This made my job more difficult as there were some very close decisions, but can only be good for the breed.  Best In Show was Ward’s Three Rivers From Kerryfair who at seven years of age was also best veteran.  Reserve best in show was Richardson’s Sh Ch Kirkavagh Fidalgo JW, best opposite sex was Boutell & Humphrey’s Ixia Isadora and best puppy was Oakley’s Caspians Mehitabel.

Puppy Dog (6,5) 

1^st        Carr & Oakley’s CASPIANS MC CAFFERTY
            Handsome young man with nice head and soft expression.  Good shoulder angulation, deep chest, moved soundly.

 Junior Dog (9,1) 

1^st        Mc Donagh’s RONZALDA DON MAGNIFICO
            Dark coated boy with lovely head, low-set ears and dark eyes giving him a lovely melting expression.  Well balanced with good angulation throughout. Moved well and with enthusiasm.  Would just like to see him carry more weight.
2^nd        Mc Donagh’s            RONZALDA DON QUICHOTTE
            Similar comments apply as to 1 and seeing now that they are litter brothers I am not surprised.  Nice young dog who I am sure will change places with his brother many times. Just not quite as settled on the move as 1.
3^rd        Stubbs’ CLONAGEERA ROMANTIC NOTION
Res            Richardson’s KIRKAVAGH STRAVINSKY
VHC            Whitelock’s VIANA RED CIARAN 

Special Yearling Dog (6) 

1^st            Henson’s TATSBRO IRISH MIST
            Handsome dog, looked equally as good standing as when on the move.  Good reach of neck into correct shoulders.  Gently sloping topline with correct tailset.  Deep chest, strong bone and neat feet. Well proportioned.  Shall be watching his career with interest.
2^nd        Mc Donagh’s  RONZALDA DON MAGNIFICO
3^rd        Mc Donagh’s            RONZALDA DON QUICHOTTE
Res            Stocker’s KIRKAVAGH NIJINSKY
VHC            Whitelock’s  VIANA RED CIARAN 

Maiden Dog (4,3) 

1^st        Stubb’s CLONAGEERA ROMANTIC NOTION
            Nice young dog, happy on the move.  Good bone and feet.  Gentle expression. Well balanced throughout. 

Novice Dog (4,3) 

1^st        Stubb’s CLONAGEERA ROMANTIC NOTION
2^nd        Fawcitt’s RONZALDA DON CARLOS
                Nice young dog giving his handler a bit of a hard time. Nicely made with good hindquarters.  Happy on the move.
3^rd         Gargrave’s KIRKAVAGH SHARDARI 

Undergraduate Dog (11,2) 

1^st         Henson’s TATSBRO IRISH MIST
2^nd        Mc Donagh’s RONZALDA DON MAGNIFICO
3^rd        Mc Donagh’s RONZALDA DON QUICHOTTE
Res      Clark’s BAMBERELLA TICKET TO RIDE
VHC     Whitelock’s VIANA RED CIARAN

Graduate Dog (6,2)

1^st                Mortimer’s COVARNEY CRUSADER JW
                      Really liked this young dog. Presented in excellent coat and gleaming condition. Well bodied, with good angulation both front and rear.  Nice deep chest. Correct topline and tailset.  Moved very well.
2^nd            Fauvrelle’s SHAYTELL ANDANTE
            Have judged and like this dog before, nice to see him maturing, but didn’t quite have the finish of 1.  Handsome head with soft, melting expression. Good shoulders and hindquarters, depth of chest and upper arm angulation.  Moved soundly with drive.
3^rd        Mc Donagh’s RONZALDA DON MAGNIFICO
Res      Clark’s BAMBARELLA TICKET TO RIDE 

Post Graduate Dog (4,1) 

1^st        Bailey’s COVARNEY MONELLO JW
            Heavy coated, mature dog.  Handsome boy, well proportioned with lovely head.  Good neck and shoulders, gently sloping topline, deep chested with good spring of rib.  Balanced angulation. Moved soundly.
2^nd            Whitelock’s VIANNA RED CONNOR
            Different type to 1, but everything to like about this dog.  My notes say ‘ good honest setter’.  Well muscled with strong rear quarters and good shoulder placement.  Moved very well.
3^rd        Bouttell & Humphrey’s  IXIA TIMBER       

Limit Dog (4,2) 

1^st            Launchbury’s MORCHALE HIGHLANDER
            Striking outline with excellent angulation.  Presented in excellent coat and condition.  Strong boned with just the right amount of weight.  Moved with drive, soundly and freely.  Like this boy very much but just felt he lacked maturity when it came to the challenge.
2^nd            Brewer’s BLUBYEYOU MYSTIC SINNDAR
            Nice boy with deep chest, well boned, good shoulders.  Moved well. 

Open Dog (4,1)

1^st        Ward’s THREE RIVERS FROM KERRYFAIR
            Have previously given this dog a best of breed, and was delighted to see how he has improved yet more with age.  Classic head with soft, melting expression and low set ears.  Good reach of neck into well laid shoulders.  Deep chest with good spring of rib.  Correct upper arm angulation which gives him reach on the move.   Well angulated hind quarters which he drove off from when moving freely and soundly around the ring using his tail to full effect.  Presented in excellent coat and condition.  Best Dog and Best In Show, and at 7 years of age, also Best Veteran.
2^nd            Richardson’s SH CH KIRKAVAGH FIDALGO JW
            Another handsome dog with lovely head and expression.  Well balanced with good angulation throughout.   Moved soundly.  Reserve Best Dog and Reserve Best In Show.
3^rd            Brewer’s BLUEBYEYOU MYSTIC SANDMAN

Veteran Dog ( 2) 

1^st        Ward’s MUHARRAQ SPRING RHAPSODY AT ALMERJA
            12 years old but still showing himself off, clearly very happy to be in the ring.  Strong looking boy with good angulation.  Well off for bone, lovely tight feet. 
2^nd            Wilkins’ MAGRETWOODS CRAZY FOR YOU
            Handsome dog in full coat.  Deep chested with good shoulders and rear angulation. Lovely head and expression.  Moved soundly.

Puppy Bitch (5,4) 

1^st            Roberts’ COVARNEY MISS MOLLY MALONE OF CAIRACAILIE
            Pretty young bitch with lovely expression.   Well balanced with correct tailset.  Good angulation throughout. Moved well.

Junior Bitch (9,3) 

1^st        King’s KIRKAVAGH JUMILLA
            Very pretty bitch with beautiful dark eyes and melting expression.  Good neck and shoulders, deep chest.  Good upper arm angulation.  Moved very well.
2^nd            Whittacker COVARNEY WALTZING MATILDA
            Another pretty bitch with a nice outline.  Tight feet.  Well proportioned, moved well.
3^rd        Tuite’s            RUA PRIMAVARA
            Compact bitch in hard condition. Might not have the furnishings, but a well made girl with excellent angulation.  Pretty head, moved soundly with drive.
Res            Williamson’s BLUESPRINGS SKYLARK
VHC            Whitelock’s VIANA RED SIOBHAN

Special Yearling Bitch (4,3) 

1^st            Stephen’s TATSBRO RAINSHADOW AT SACHRIS
            Well proportioned bitch in shining coat.  Lovely head and expression.  Good angulation throughout. Moved well.

Maiden Bitch (9,3) 

1^st        King’s KIRKVAGH JUMILLA
2^nd            Highton’s COLANME JESSICA JANE AT GUNGOER
            Lovely young bitch with clean outline.  Good neck and shoulders.  Good spring of rib with deep chest.  Moved well.
3^rd            Oakley’s CASPIANS MEHITABEL
            Very pretty baby with lovely head and expression.  Well made with lovely outline.  Swanky little mover.  Real ring presence this young lady.  Best Puppy In Show.
Res            Whittacker’s COVARNEY WALTZING MATILDA
VHC    Tuite’s RUA PRIMAVERA

Novice Bitch (4)

1^st        King’s KIRKAVAGH JUMILLA

2^nd            Oakley’s CASPIANS MEHITABEl

3^rd            Whitelock’s VIANA RED SIOBHAN

Res      Byrne’s SIOCHANNA FENNOR FAILLIN

Undergraduate Bitch (12,4) 

1^st            Stephen’s TATSBRO RAINSHADOW AT SACHRIS 

2^nd        Curtis’ BROOKESANDS MARANELLO FROM WYLDEFIRE
            Lovely young lady with soft expression and dark eyes.  Excellent neck and shoulders.  Well made throughout.  Moved well. 

3^rd        Hall’s KIRKAVAGH NEOLANTA AT GLENNARA 

Res      Jacob’s MARGRETWOODS BETTY BOOP 

VHC            Whitelock’s VIANA RED SIOBHAN

Graduate Bitch (9,1) 

1^st            Wilkins’ MARGRETWOODS TWEETY PIE
            Beautiful young bitch who I have admired before.   Lovely outline both standing and on the move.   Excellent angulation throughout.  Moves like a dream.  I am sure she has a great future ahead. 

2^nd        Curtis’ BROOKESANDS MARANELLO FROM WYLDFIRE 

3^rd            Boutell’s IXIA TALLULA 

Res            Waterton’s LYNWOOD STRANDS OF SILK AT SANDSTREAM 

VHC            Oakley’s CASPIANS YSEULT

Post Graduate (9,1) 

1^st        Hall’s GLENNARA FLEUR DE MAI JW
            Have often admired this young lady from the ringside and she did not disappoint on closer inspection.  Classic outline with such a pretty head and expression.  Well bodied, in excellent coat and condition.  Good reach of neck into well laid shoulders.  Deep chest with good spring of rib.  Strong hindquarters giving her drive on the move. Reserve Best Bitch. 

2^nd            Mortimer’s BLUEBYEYOU MYSTIC SHIRAZ
            Nice bitch with balanced outline. Good shoulders and upper arm angulation.  Strong forechest. Moved very well. 

3^rd            Martin’s GLENNARA MOONLIGHT SHADOW AT SILVAGEM 

Res            Whitelock’s VIANA RED LIZZIE 

VHC    Budd’s KESAKASY SCARLET RIBBONS

Limit Bitch (7,4)

1^st        Boutell & Humphrey’s IXIA ISADORA
            Lovely bitch with racy outline.  Good reach of neck into well laid shoulders.  Deep chest with plenty of forechest.  Gently sloping topline into correct tailset.  Strong hind quarters giving plenty of drive on the move which was free flowing and sound.  The more I looked at this bitch, the more I liked her.  Best Bitch And Best Opposite Sex In Show. 

2^nd            Cregan’s WISHINGTREE GOLDEN LEGACY
            Close up to 1.  Have long admired this young lady. Pretty girl with elegant outline.  Similar comments apply as to 1, but didn’t move quite so well today as I know she can. 

3^rd            Richardson’s KIRKAVAGH FRIVOLA

Open Bitch (7,2)

1^st            Boutell’s IXIA ISABELLA
            I see she is the litter sister of my previous class winner.  Another lovely bitch with racy outline, deep chest and good angulation throughout.  Moved well, but lacked the sparkle of her sister in the challenge. 

2^nd            Wilkin’s MARGRETWOODS PERFECT DAY
            Nice bitch with lovely outline and presented in excellent coat and condition.  Well made in all departments with nothing exaggerated.  Moved well but preferred the head of 1. 

3^rd            O’Callaghan’s WENDOVER LOLITA 

Res      Curtis WYLDFIRE RIOGHNACH JW 

VHC             Mitchell’s ATLANTA HAWK FROM AMBLIN

Veteran Bitch (13,6)

1^st            Launchbury’s MORCHALE APHRODITE
            8 years old and really enjoying her day out.  Lovely well made girl, with balanced angulation.  Moved freely and soundly around the ring wagging her tail as did many in this class.  Pretty head, the grey enhacing her good looks. 

2^nd        Byrne’s SIOCHANNA ENNISKERRY ERINA
            I see she has the same sire as 1.  Pretty bitch with clean neck and shoulders.  Balanced in outline and moved very well. 

3^rd            Waterton’s SANDSTREAM RHODIAN ROMANCE   

Res      Curtis’ WYLDFIRE ENYA 

VHC            Mitchell’s ATLANTA HAWK FROM AMBLIN

Brace (5)

1^st        Brewer – My notes say ‘ like peas in a pod’ for all these pairs, so it was really difficult to choose between them.  Twin brothers, so similar and moved in unison. 

2^nd        Mc Donagh 

3^rd            Launchbury 

Res      Byrne 

VHC            O’Callaghan

Judge Mrs Cheryl Stevenson