EAST OF ENGLAND CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW

I am grateful to the exhibitors for spending their hard earned cash entering under me and giving me the opportunity to judge their dogs. My steward was first rate.

I did find faults that I feel need to be addressed for the good of the breed. Many were lacking sternum, several were short in rib and some were steep in croup. I would urge you all to check the bites on your older dogs as I found some very level and almost undershot mouths. My biggest criticism of all is high tail carriage and many otherwise very good dogs were penalised for this. Gay tails totally distract from the general appearance of the Irish setter and quite simply, I find them ugly.

On a positive note I found handling and presentation very much improved. My hands were as clean at the end of judging as they were at the start. I was very pleased with my final line-up. All exhibited the racy, elegant breed type that I look for.

MIN PUPPY - Dog

Entries: 5 Absentees: 1

1st ROBERTS-CLISSOLD’S REDDINS PAUSE AT MAGICONKERS.

Just 6 months old and taking it all in his stride. Good head shape and eye colour in harmony with the colour of his coat. Deep brisket and well ribbed up. Sound movement, especially when seen from the rear.

2nd MUGFORD’S SCOTSELAW JACKSON

Presented a lovely picture in profile. Has a lovely head with low ear set and beautifully arched neck. Preferred his head to 1 but wasn’t as good in brisket nor hind movement.

3rd ATKINSON’S MOORHAVEN MAGNIFICAT

PUPPY - Dog

Entries: 5 Absentees: 1

1st LUTO’S RAPPATTY BOBBY DAZZLER

Presented a striking and very well balanced picture. Handsome and refined head with beautiful chiseling, lovely raised brows showing stop and good square finish to muzzle. This boy excels in neck and shoulder, so elegant and clean over the forequarters with elbows well let down. Moved effortlessly with lashing tail. Best puppy dog and BPIB.

2nd JOYNSON’S RAPPATTY BOBBIN ABOUT

Litter brother to 1 and much the same remarks apply. Not quite the quarters of his brother and a little down on his pasterns. Racy outline with good bone and substance. Very well handled and moved freely.

3rd LAWRENCE’S SAMETSUZ UP TO MISCHIEF VIA MCCONKEYS

JUNIOR - Dog

Entries: 18 Absentees: 5

1st ROSS’S AUTUMNGLOW ZEPHYR

The most handsome and refined of heads with true Irish expression. Excelled in forechest and heart room. Well ribbed up, muscular loin, strong quarters and correct tail set. Best mover in the class. I believe this gave him his junior warrant. Well done!

2nd MILLIGAN-BOTT & BOTT’S THENDARA BOTTICELLI

A dog with a sense of humour! I liked him very much and he would have given 1 a run for his money had he not found it all one big joke. Showed fabulous temperament and stood still long enough for me to see that he is full of quality. Excellent forehand, good length of neck into well laid back shoulders. Moved well when he settled. Another future star for this successful kennel.

3rd STUBBS’S CLONAGEERA ROMANTIC NOTION

MAIDEN - Dog

Entries: 7 Absentees: 1

1st RAPPATTY BOBBY DAZZLER

2nd STUBBS’S CLONAGEERA ROMANTIC NOTION

Much more settled on the move in this class. Balanced throughout with lovely head and expression, good length and lay back of upper arm, well ribbed up. Graceful action.

3rd HEPPELL’S CATALUNA GENNED UP

NOVICE - Dog

Entries: 6 Absentees: 2

1st SMITH’S REDDINS TILLERMAN

Nice youngster who gave away a lot in maturity today. Nicely domed head but would prefer a more almond shaped eye. Topline a little level at this stage, would prefer more of a gentle slope. Was something of a handful on the move for his substitute handler so his front movement suffered when coming towards me.

2nd EDMUNDS’ CATALUNA SECRET LIASON

Liked his head and expression. Graceful effortless action in profile but let himself down when going away. Needs to tighten up in rear pastern. More road work could do the trick.

3rd LEWIS’S DOTCOMSETTER DAMAS

DEBUTANT - Dog

Entries: 14 Absentees: 3

1st AUTUMNGLOW ZEPHYR

2nd CLONAGEERA ROMANTIC NOTION

3rd RICHARDSON’S CATALUNA SMART ALEC AT MONTGREENAN

GRADUATE - Dog

Entries: 17 Absentees: 1

1st DRINKWATER’S BRABROOK TRUE BLADE JW

Full of breed type. Powerful, elegant and racy all through. Superb front and rear angulation. Very easy long stride and carried his tail correctly on a level with his back. Would prefer a little less work in head.

2nd SAVAGE’S TAGAMAGOS SURVIVOR

Not the front of 1 but nevertheless a very sound and well made dog. Well sprung ribs and depth of chest. Plenty of bone and substance. Strong back end and tail set on correctly. Moved with lovely lashing tail.

3rd SCHOFIELD’S CHIRGWIN WILD ABOUT THE BOY

POST GRAD - Dog

Entries: 15 Absentees: 1

1st MYERS’S ASTRAZONE SPECIAL BREW JW

What a lovely dog. Won this class with ease. Presents an eye catching racy picture without loss of substance. Super head and eye, excellent front assembly and moderately long, muscular neck. Well muscled loin and wide powerful quarters. So sound and steady on the move. Considered him for top honours but just lost his sparkle in the challenge.

2nd ROSS’S AUTUMNGLOW LEGEND

Sound dog with lovely head and arched neck into good shoulders. Moved freely with nice tail action. Owner tends to stand him with over exaggerated topline.

3rd REED’S TATTERSLEE BEAR NECESSITY

MID LIMIT - Dog

Entries: 10 Absentees: 0

By far the best class of the day. I could have gone round twice with the prize cards but there has to be a deciding factor and today it was simply a matter of coat.

1st LAUNCHBURY’S MORCHALE HIGHLANDER JW

Racy and well balanced in outline, good depth of brisket and elbows well let down. Excellent sternum. Liked his head and expressive eyes, scored in neck and shoulder. Powerful hindquarters with good bend of stifle. Happy sound mover who pulled out all the stops when it came to the challenge. Delighted to award him his 2^nd C.C. and I wish him luck for his 3rd.

2nd SHAW & RAINEY’S CATALUNA TOP CAT AT STARCHELLE

Promising dog who really knows how to drive from behind. Efficient front movement, effortless gait. Shown in lovely coat and condition. Considered for Res. C.C. but just looked a little young.

3rd WILDER’S RIVERMAN JOSHUA JW

LIMIT - Dog

Entries: 12 Absentees: 2

1st WILLIS’ AOIBHEANNE'S PAPILLON AVEC JACWILINS JW

Loved his overall shape, masculine head, lovely neck and shoulders, super quarters. Good bone and substance and in gleaming coat. A little narrower in front than my C.C. winner and not quite the sternum but moved well with correct tail carriage. Res C.C.

2nd RUTHERFORD’S PURE GENIUSE BY CLONAGEERA. Gorgeous head, dark expressive eye, low set ears, lovely raised brows showing stop. Neck flows cleanly into shoulders, correct topline. Very well balanced and in lovely coat and condition. Moved well with style and a very nice size. Pushed hard.

3rd DRINKWATER’S CATALUNA TEXAS WILD

OPEN - Dog

Entries: 8 Absentees: 2

1st KNIVETON’S SH CH ORSTONE INTERCEPTOR

Loved him as a puppy and so pleased that he has gained his title. Well constructed with good depth and spring of rib. Moved well keeping his gently sloping topline. Also considered for top honours but preferred the length of the C.C. and Res C.C. winners.

2nd RITCHIE’S SH CH GWENDARIFF DOM PERIGNON JW

Presentation here is second to none. In gleaming coat and expertly handled. Moved well both fore and aft but lost out to 1 in neck and shoulder placement and was steeper in croup.

3rd MILLIGAN-BOTT & BOTT’S SH CH THENDARA DON CORLEONE

CHRISTINE MORGAN (JUDGE)