SWKA

Dogs Overall a quality entry which I enjoyed going over. My winners pleased me, good conformation and true Irish heads, some were so plain or heavy and overdone more like a Gordon Setter, there were some dreadful feet wide flat and hugh.

MPD 1 Wood & Kurring Reddins Ethan Of Lymish. Very much a baby a tad long and lean at the moment will fill out in time, straight front very typical Irish expression, very typy moved well. 2 Jaconelli Corranroo The Sorcerer of Togipoto. Strong quarters good depth, dark eye and sweet expression, a little heavy at the moment.

PD 1 Richardson Kirkavagh The Ministrel. Moved very well for such a baby, good deep body well ribbed strong back end, in lovely coat and condition, sweet expression. BP. 2 MaGee Kirkvagh Tolomeo At Jonromac. Litter brother to above sure they will change places many times many of the same remarks apply, striking outline slightly smaller than his brother at the moment, two nice pups. 3 Lawrence McConkeys Kill Willie.

JD For me the most exciting class of the day starlets at the moment but for many of them stars of the future and I look forward to watching their progress with great interest. 1 Prangle Heathclare A Chance of Magic. A most beautiful dog really has it all, super striking outline, total balance throughout. Lovely head refined but masculine good finished to muzzle nicely squared but not pendulous like so many. Possesses lovely coat moved with great verve and style covering the ground. I understand these wins gave him his JW well done. 2 Willis Jacwilins Willoughby. Another lovely dog I enjoyed going over him no wonder he has done so much winning. Well ribbed with deep chest strong quarters, well boned, typical Irish head well balanced lots of work with a melting expression, moved and showed beautifully should have a great future. 3 Holehan & North Erinade Starwars.

YD 1 Holehan & North Erinade Starwars. 3rd in the super junior class classy quality dog, good length of neck, well laid shoulders, good width to upper thigh, beautiful head and expression quality coat moved soundly. 2 Cuddy Balbriggan Royal Rebel JW. Good front assembly strong bone of good quality neat feet, strong quarters with well bent stifles, very typy dog again the head I look for with lovely wistful expression, he moved very well just needs his feather to complete the picture. 3 Powis Amberwave Breezer.

ND1 Prangle Heathclare A Chance of Magic. 2 Willis Jacwilins Willoughby. 3 Webb Reddins Dazzler.

GD 1 Weller & Spencer Strathmead Snow Leopard. Handsome boy not a big one nicely put together, nicely balanced throughout, well bent stifles has a good head with low set ears and a lovely soft eye. He moved soundly with drive. 2 Holehan & North Erinade Starwars. 3 Box Fernstart Irish Red.

PGD I found this the most challenging class of the day as the type and size varied so much, many I liked in profile did not please in head. At the end of the day judging is very much a compromise. 1 Vincent & Spencer Gimaroch On Request. I liked this dog for his lack of exaggeration he is well put together possesses a lovely head with true gentle Irish expression, good depth front and quarters he moved well in lovely coat and bloom. 2 Weller & Spencer Strathmead Snow Leopard. 3 Partridge Kerrydown Look At Me.

LD 1 Meadows Gwendariff Moet Et Shandon. Newly crowned champion and well deserved, has a beautiful head so much work in it soft but intelligent expression, excellent conformation throughout, not exaggerated in any way, front straight and true with neat tight feet, well laid shoulder, flowing topline, handled gently and expertly moved well covering the ground. Close up for top honours. 2 Ciechonska Caskeys Concept At Aoibheanne JW. Tall dark and handsome was a top winning youngster. Possesses a lovely refined head, good eye and low set ears, nicely squared muzzle, strong deep body well boned has a tremendous coat which must hard work for his owner. His handler is inclined to over stretch him, he moved well. 3 Willett Caspians Disraleli JW 3 beautiful dogs.

OD Good open class with some top quality exhibits. 1 Ritchie Sh Ch/IR Gwendariff Dom Perignon JW. He won’t be ignored just owns the ring with his free flowing effortless movement which is a joy to see but sadly not often in Irish Setters. As always presented in wonderful condition, a dog with excellent conformation best of fronts and feet, strong backend. Handsome head with lovely soft eye. CC BOB and Group 2. 2 Richardson Sh Ch Kirkavagh Fidalgo JW. A favourite of mine and looking great for his age, moved and showed well, very typical Irish head of lovely proportions with gentle soft expression, nicely flowing topline from withers to tail set moved well. 3 Smith Reddins Tillerman JW.

Mrs Mary Gurney

BITCHES My stewards travelled from Usk and were brilliant. The Committee coped so well with the last-minute decision to transfer venues to Newbury, to my advantage. The exhibitors ditto, so thank you all. Good showing weather prevailed. My prerequisites were 1) type, 2) quality, 3) balance, and, of course, soundness, which I found in all my winners. Our breed has such a capacity for joy and I looked for that. It must be nurtured and used to advantage, a matter of direction. Severity will never achieve this. The character must shine and if this is not recognised and appreciated, the rest will never be an Irish Setter, no matter how good the cardboard cut-out, at least for me. So do curb the discipline and enjoy the day: there’s always next time. One last word, if you will – no exaggeration! The standard in a kernel – everywhere read ‘in proportion’ and look back at the best and especially heads where there is now such a variation. The expression is vital and cannot be achieved unless all is in moderation. I would draw particular attention to flews (‘should not be pendulous’) and brows. The brows are what give definition to the stop and description to the soul.

MPB (7,0) 1 Hinslea’s Northamber Causin A Riot. She is so modest and moderate I did not think she’d be my winner, but she had to be. Nothing exaggerated and all there in correct proportion, and sound. Considerable chiselling in head for age, good flow of neck, straight front, strong quarters, especially good in 2nd thigh, short and strong hock to heel. Balance perfect. BPB. 2 Powis’ Amberwave Freckles. More showy altogether as she presents so well with her long neck and excellent muscle. Good angulation, excellent bone, tight feet, well defined loin. Preferred head and type of 1). 3 Risdon’s Reddins Essence of Redsleeves.

PB (14,3) 1 Holley’s Danaway Briana of Wynjill. Best head in the class, parallel planes, beautifully balanced, square finish to muzzle, low ear set, oval skull, almond eyes. Good outline and angulation, well balanced, moved well. For Best Puppy, the decision rested on the finish of the croup. 2 Gardner’s Carnbargus Contemplation. Such an elegant young lady, great structure with beautiful coat length and feathering. Her front is stronger than 1)’s. Excellent depth of chest and strong quarters. Another lovely head, though I preferred the expression of 1). 3 Naylor & Morrison’s Bardonhill Singing Skies Over Anlory.

JB (16,3) 1 Mugford’s Lynwood Follow Your Dreams JW and this exhibitor has done just that. It was a tough class. The beautiful head and true construction of this bitch, and her type, won through. Her angulation is excellent, lovely top line, strong croup, strong quarters, lovely almond eye, good raised brows. Moved well. 2 Spence’s Springle Suavita. Another modest one that has no exaggerations. Supremely feminine and gentle, a lean head, ears low set. Excellent strong bone, elegant topline. The croup could strengthen, though the quarters are well balanced and well muscled. 3 Cregan’s Riqitta Shellelagh Gold At Wishingtree.

YB (13,4) 1 Chorley-Newton & Chorley’s Outfoxed By Kerryfair JW. I have admired her from the ringside, so she had t o match up – and she did. Beautiful in every respect: what a great eye this exhibitor must have for a good one. All according to the standard, beautiful head, clean throat, just the right arch to the neck, perfect flow into shoulders, excellent balance, good angulation, strong and true construction. And a soft, quizzical expression. A real Irish. She’ll go to the top. 2 Martin’s Silvagem Pearl of the Orient placed in Junior, at a raw stage I feel, but not to be denied for her type and soundness. She has great balance, correct topline, well-set neck, good chiselling to head, lively expression. Nice coat with good length of feather to belly. 3 Roffey & Brigden’s Danaway Laura At Autumnwood.

NB (18,0) 1 Holley’s Danaway Briana of Wynjill. 2 Gardner’s Carnbargus Contemplation. 3 Spence’s Springle Suavita.

GB (11,1) Splitting hairs here. 1 Wilkin’s Margretwoods Kitty Cat JW. have long admired her for her raciness and balance, great scope and great strength in moving. Lovely flow of neck into topline. 2 Ellis’s Brayville Love Affair JW. preferred this head, so appealing, a most elegant bitch. Her flow of neck is not as good as 1) but is well muscled with good arch. Moved soundly with good animation. 3 Warner’s Strathmead Snow Bunting JW. a lovely bitch, unfortunate today.

PGB (19,8) 1 Pollard’s Greyrigge Maeve had to win. Excelled in carriage, fluent movement, animation. She had all that activity, a very kind eye and was absolutely responsive to her handler. Beautiful balance, excellent strong neck with powerful flow into topline. Pretty face, wicked expression. Coat not at its best. 2 Hillock’s Jonola Liberty X JWwas the best mover, powerful drive, smooth carriage. Not as good in second thigh as 1). Excellent depth of chest, good coat, beautiful head, ear and brows. Lovely bone to forelegs, good feet. 3 Prangle’s Tannymac Could It Be Magic At Heathclare JW. Superb condition and coat, unlucky to meet winners, most worthy.

LB (17,6) 1 Pollard’s Greyrigge Mairona JW. The balance and type are outstanding, barely separated from her sister in the previous class and I could not deny her here. Not in her best coat but it didn’t matter. She fills my eye. Moved like a dream, beautiful head, lovely eye and expression. 2 Waterton‘s Lynwood Strands of Silk At Sandstream JW. Again, coat was not at its best; again her quality wins through. Excellent layback of shoulder and neck set. A beautiful mover with lots of intelligence. Soft, feminine expression, low ear. Strong croup. No fall off in either of these bitches. 3 King’s Kirkavagh Jumilla JW. a gorgeous bitch who lacked bone for me.

OB (12,4) 1 Hunter & Brown’s ShCh Braidmount Geisha Girl. Just thrilled to be able to put hands on this lady – so long admired, so well bred. She is all I had hoped. Exquisite, everything flows, beautifully balanced. Fantastic upper arm. Such Irish character, so on her toes. Perfect example of union of handler and exhibit - they get the very best out of each other. She just shone for me today. CC. 2 Mugford’s Lynwood Promises Promises to Gimaroch. Why has this lovely bitch not got her title? Perhaps it is modesty again. She is a perfect example of type and soundness but does not shout. Like my first in so many respects, supreme in moderation. I was staggered to find she was nearly eight years old. She denies it utterly. What a strong and truly Irish person. Her ideal construction cannot be denied and she was so happy and alive, responsive and said so on the move. Res CC – again and I’m sorry. One of the best. 3 Warner’s ShCh Danaway Clara Belle. Is she really 9 years old? So beautiful: a melting expression, pure love and gentleness, reminded me of Music. So well put together, so Irish. A joy to see her. BOB Ritchie’s ShCh IrShCh Gwendariff Dom Perignon JW. a glorious example of a great dog in his prime, who powered round the ring with perfect carriage and aplomb, demands recognition. Well done. BP Richardson’s Kirkavagh The Minstrel. a well-bred young dog, good, sound construction, correct balance, good type. Two months advantage over the bitch. He is upstanding and shows much promise for the future. Well done.
Sue Oakley

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