NATIONAL GUNDOG CHAMPIONSHIP

A quality entry and numerically high for which I thank you. I was extremely pleased with all the bitches in the Challenge, who all moved well and collectively were a beautiful sight in the sunshine of this extremely hot day. Along the way some hard decisions were reached; my main criticisms being the lack of the tight feet with arched toes I was looking for; some less than perfect mouths and otherwise nice exhibits with untidy and/or wide hind movement which took their toll on possible placings. Decisions can only be made on what you see on the day unfortunately. However I think the dogs managed very well to cope with the very noisy gundog demonstration in the next ring complete with loud bangs! I have had a job to transcribe my taped critique!

Spec.Veteran (6) 1 & BVIB Pollard & Cook’s CH GRAYRIGGE FIDELMA a lovely 9 year old Made a lovely picture with classic outline, pretty head, and strong hindquarters. Shown in peak condition. Her movement belied her age as she swept strongly round the ring .

2. Stevenson’s Lochlorien Sunrise. Aged 7. a finer bitch, sweet head very feminine, lacking in coat at present but made managed to steal 2^nd place by storming round the ring in fine form

3. Limpus’ Sh Ch. That’s It to Karidell

Minor Puppy (9) 1a... Wharton’s ROMARNE JAMELIA OF JENNISON .I thought this 6 month puppy was outstanding . . Nicely bodied with good forechest , best of shoulders, pretty head with low set ears, .Well balanced with strong hindquarters. Gleaming coat & feathering coming along nicely. Moved neatly. Randle’s COVARNEY BEWITCHED BETWEEN RIONORE., pretty 6 month old. Slightly smaller mould than 1 but well bodied with well developed forechest. Balanced.throughout; sweet expression . Good topline & tailset. Preferred the feet on 1 (3) McNeil’s GWENDARIFF ROCK CHIC

Puppy. (12) This class was headed by two really lovely puppies with many similarities; both with pretty heads, well balanced and beautifully presented. Very close decision. 1 & BEST BBP McLarnon’s NORTHAMBER BACCARAT VIA KERRYFAIR. I found this one a very exciting prospect and am sure we shall hear lots about her in the future..Very striking in outline with good forehand, strong over the loin and firm quarters allowing her to drive effortlessly round the ring even at 10 months old, neat feet; just minimally preferred her shoulder angulation to (2) Douthwaite & Wharf’s GRACEWOOD TRUE MAGIC of whom all other remarks apply, and another one for the future (3) Perriam’s ELAPHILL THEME FOR A DREAM

Junior (21) 4a. 1 McLarnon’s NORTHAMBER BACCARAT VIA KERRYFAIR 2. White’s MAESFFYNNON YASMINE AT KILLYMADDER Another good moving bitch who was a delight to watch; a pretty girl with everything in the right places; nice depth of chest, correct width all through and well muscled hindquarters; just preferred the feet of 1, but otherwise close up. (3) O’Connor’s CAISPERN MISS AUSTEN

Special Yearling (10) 3a 1.Hunter & Brown’s BRAIDMOUNT GEISHA GIRL .Mature bitch for her nearly 2 years. Pleasing head and ear set, good dentition, Firm topline , strong hindquarters, plenty of tail feathering creating a most attractive picture. The best mover in this class 2. Birch’s MOYNA PEACH BLOSSOM very feminine with smooth coat; has maybe lost a little feathering at the moment, good front assembly ; preferred topline of 1, won her place on her movement (3)Hillocks JONOLA LIBERTY X

Novice (18) White’s MAESFFYNNON YASMINE AT KILLYMADDER (2) Douthwaite & Wharf’s GRACEWOOD TRUE MAGIC Both outmoved the competition here(3) Paterson’s HARREDS BRIDIE

Greaduate (25) 1a This was an exceptionally good class. Some otherwise delightful bitches were moving wide behind today which cost them dearly. 1. Stephens TATSBRO RAINSHADOW AT SACHRIS what a beautiful young bitch with sweet expression;; very striking outline and so feminine. Well balanced throughout, in lovely coat, presented to advantage; good topline and tailset; her driving movement won her the class. Very sound & eyecatching as was (2) Naylor’s ANLORY VALPOLICELLA a little bigger than 1 and in first class order. Another beautiful bitch soundly made and moving with drive (3) Oakley’s CASPIANS YSEULT

Postgraduate (18) 3a. another strong class 1 & RCC Leach’s EMBERIKI THE ONE AND ONLY A very striking bitch who moved extremely well. A combination of femininity with strength, well put together all through with good shoulder angulation, well developed forechest, good topline and tailset. Well muscled thighs with good width and good feet. In lovely condition. She moved out with good forward reach and power behind. Competently handled to storm round the ring when it counted most.

2. Townsend’s FOLLIDOWN RED HOT POKER she, too, is a magnificent bitch, so pretty in her well defined head with soft expression, perfectly balanced throughout, everything fitting together to create a lovely picture, plus the neat feet that are becoming a rarity. She made my pulses race standing in gleaming condition! However, she was not as tidy on the move today as I had hoped, and had to be content with 2^nd place this time. 3.Mortimer’s BLUEBYEYOU MYSTIC SHIRAZI

Mid Limit (6) 4a although only 2 exhibits present, both nice bitches of completely different types 1. Powis’ AMBERWAVE SPANGLE nice feminine head with low set ears strong neck, set into well laid shoulders. A little lacking in feathering today, but I feel this is a comparatively minor consideration. Strong topline with excellent tailset, nicely arched feet and powerful hindquarters all of which she used to advantage to move herself into first place 2. Cregan’s WISHINGTREE GOLDEN LEGACY Pretty girl with sweet face and expression, good depth of body, and plenty of coat . Not quite the drive of 1 today

Limit (13) Disappointing here that movement was not as one would hope in this class. Perhaps the heat was affecting some of them, but I can only judge on the day. 1. Gardner’s CARNBARGUS CONGRATULATION Mature, compact and very feminine, good straight front and attractive outline. Good depth of body , and well balanced. Plenty of coat but movement rather lethargic 2. Mugford’s LYNWOOD PROMISES PROMISES TO GIMAROCH Quality exhibit of pleasing size, Attractive head , good shoulder angulation, firm loin, strong hindquarters. Lacking a little coat today. Scored with neat feet, but again did not reach her potential moving today (3) Price’s Seventh Heaven

Open (4) 2a 1 CC and BOB. Muir’s ROMARNE MELISSA – what a beautiful bitch, I am sure nothing I could say could more than match all that has been said before. On first sight of her, standing there to perfection I knew that she was what the day had all been about, She has a beautiful head, dark intelligent eyes, and a beautifully balanced body Shown perfectly in first class condition, as this exhibitors dogs always are, she personifies the beauty, strength and grace that IS the Irish Setter. Her movement was a joy to see, and it was a great pleasure to award her the CC

2. Whitelock’s TATTERSLEE SPECIAL EXTRA AT VIANA unplaced in Veteran. She is a 7 year old strongly built bitch, and moved quite well despite the long day and the hot weather.

JUDGE FRANCES CURTIS