WINDSOR 2007

SETTER-IRISH

My first championship appointment was Windsor 1977. How does the quality of the dogs now compare with all those years ago? I would say that the good Irish are as good now as ever they were. However, we no longer seem to have the depth of quality that could be found in those days when judges were spoilt for choice. Presentation has definitely moved on to another level, with much more attention and emphasis placed on coat and the amount of feathering. If this goes hand in hand with good construction and physical fitness, I like and appreciate it. If those essentials are lacking, an Irish Setter, in my opinion, is no longer fit for purpose. As long as judges are required to assess movement, they really must take it into consideration or moving exhibits becomes just a waste of time. The weather was really terrible and it rained most of the day. However, I must congratulate exhibitors for presenting most of their dogs dry and free from mud. Quite an achievement under the circumstances.

MPD (5) 1 Crocker and Hammick’s Riverbrue Dionysus. Well bodied pup with good bone and strong quarters. Moved with drive but needs to get front movement under control. 2 Wood and Kurring’s Reddins Ethan of Lymish. Preferred him in head to 1, but could not match him in body properties on the day. Moved quite well for his age and should go on to greater things. 3 Pickerill and Hayes’ Amberwave Franke.

PD (7,1) 1 Magee’s Kirkavagh Tolomeo at Jonromac. Very attractive and most refined head. Built on elegant lines. Good width through second thigh. Moved well for a pup. Coat condition could be improved. BPD. 2 Richardson’s Kirkavagh The Minstrel. Close up to 1, his litter brother. Racy outline and good strong quarters. Rather deeper in foreface than I would like. Moved OK. 3 Drinkwater’s Brabrook Shochaloza.

JD (10,2) 1 Willis’ Jacwilins Willoughby. Outstanding quality youngster. Everything strikes me as right about him from his beautiful head and expression to his elegant shape and very clean outline. Added to this perfect presentation, great muscle tone and excellent, powerful movement and I was delighted to award him the Res. CC. He is very young, but that is not a fault in my book. 2 North and Holehan’s Erinade Starwars. Another handsome dog. Very well coated for his age and looking very mature. Attractive head and expression. Moved OK but did not stride out like the winner. 3 Carter’s Kerrimere Just Rumours.

YD (8) 1 Roffey’s Danaway Lancelot. Handsome racy dog with a lovely clean outline. Beautiful refined head and expression. Dark coat in excellent condition. Really strode out. A very stylish dog with a promising future. Liked him. 2 Erinade Starwars. 3 Webb’s Reddins Dazzler.

GD (12) 1 Butler’s Covarney Wait ‘N See Rubymoon. Racy outline. Sweet head and expression. Good angulation with nice width of quarters. In good coat and condition. Moved very well. Inclined to fly his tail a little. 2 Erinade Starwars. 3 Willis’ Danaway The Lionheart.

PGD (7) 1 Stocker’s Kirkavagh Bikala. Well presented mature dog in full coat and excellent muscular condition. Strong quarters with a good finish to his croup. Went quite well. 2 Weller and Spencer’s Strathmead Snow Leopard. Out of a smaller mould with a sweet head and expression, which I preferred to the winner’s. In good coat and condition. Rather inclined to fly his tail. 3 Kenny’s Burrenmist Hot Toddy.

LD (9,1) 1 Meadows’ Gwendariff Moet Et Chandon. Has everything I look for in a proper Irish Setter. Beautiful head with the most delightful, slightly naughty expression. Excellent conformation, which is free from any exaggeration. Racy and flowing from his refined head to the tip of his tail. In wonderful dark coat, gleaming with condition. Handled to perfection and moving with drive and plenty of enthusiasm. This was his day and I was delighted to award him his 3rd CC and BOB. 2 Harrison’s Caskeys Voyager. Another very handsome dog with a refined head and typical expression. Good body properties and moving well. In full dark coat and lovely condition. Was considered for the Res. CC. 3 Willett’s Caspians Disraeli JW.

OD (4) 1 Lorrimer’s Sh.Ch. Danaway Destiny. Tall, dark and handsome. Refined head with the most lovely expression. Perfectly presented in great coat and condition. Excellent forehand and strong quarters. Showed well in this class, but seemed rather unsettled in the challenge. 2 Stroempl’s Ger/Gib. Ch. Sametsuz Sunset. Smaller dog, scoring well on the move with good front extension and drive from strong quarters. Really fit and coping well with the difficult conditions. A bit short on coat and feathering and should have preferred a bit more neck. 3 Sheridan’s NZ. Ch. Fieldworthy Strider.

VD/B (5,1) 1 Warner’s Sh.Ch. Danaway Clara Belle. An old favourite of mine. Her head and expression are a delight. Very typical of her breeding and looking well for her age. 2 McDonagh’s Thendara Whitney with Ronzalda. At 7 years old, almost two years younger than the winner. Pleasing head and expression. Elegant and typical and going well. 3 Carter’s Brackenfield Flanagan.

MPB (4) 1 Crocker and Hammick’s Riverbrue Electra. Well bodied with good width through her second thigh. Nice head and expression. Very together for her age. See she is litter sister to the winner of Minor P. Dog. 2 Powis’ Amberwave Freckles. Taller bitch with a very pretty head and lovely expression. Moved steadily. 3 Risdon’s Reddins Escence of Redsleeves.

PB (4,1) 1 Heppell’s Cataluna My Lady Arabella. Liked her excellent shape and powerful quarters. Did not disappoint on the move, covering her ground with purpose and confidence. Sweet head and expression. Shown in excellent coat and condition. Best Puppy. 2 Whitelock’s Viana Red Niamh. Not as forward nor as steady as the winner. Won her place over 3rd on better body properties today. 3 Evans’ Brabrook Titanias Dream.

JB (14,3) 1 Pine’s Seowns Amber Rose. Combines elegance with substance, carrying just the right amount of weight. Clean outline, good coat and muscular development. Moved very well, but her handling could be improved to make the most of her good qualities. 2 Willis’ Jacwillins Miss Dashwood. A very good, typical bitch. She has the prettiest of heads with such a lovely expression. Very deep body and, therefore, cannot afford to carry that extra bit of weight she did today. Like her litter brother, the Res. CC winner, she was shown in excellent coat and moved very well. Close up to 1. 3 Spence’s Springle Suavita.

YB (13,1) 1 Powis’ Amberwave Blush. She is a big girl, but I like her. Pleasing head and expression and reminds me so much of her lovely Mum Dazzle, especially her powerful, effortless movement. An athletic bitch in great muscular condition and coat. 2 Brown’s Shandwick Irresistable at Tifosi. Out of a smaller mould and, maybe, a bit more feminine than the winner. Stylish, and shown in lovely dark coat in good condition. Moved well. 3 Webb’s Reddins Velvet.

GB (13,2) 1 McDonald’s Delsanto Martinique. Striking, elegant bitch, in lovely dark coat. Refined head with an exquisite expression. Good forehand and strong quarters allowing her to move very well and steadily. Handled to perfection and was considered for the Res. CC. 2 Warner’s Strathmead Snowbunting. Out of a smaller mould and lovely for type. Well put together and could have given the winner a run for her money but decided not to co-operate with her handler on the move. Sweet head and expression. 3 Townsend’s Follidown Wisteria.

PGB (19,2) 1 Pollard’s Grayrigge Maeve JW. Have judged her before when she was a puppy and still like her very much. Typical, with a very nice head and excellent expression. Good topline and powerful quarters, making her the best mover in the class. Just needed more coat to complete the picture. 2 Tully’s Highclare Catchfly. Not quite the head and expression of the winner, but a stylish, fit bitch. Nice when viewed in profile with her good outline and strong quarters. Another good mover. 3 Elkins’ Avacet Christmas Wish.

LB (16,3) 1 Waterton’s Lynwood Strands of Silk at Sandstream. Won her place on her excellent free movement, making her one of the best of the day. She is feminine and has a good, clean outline. On the day, she could have done with more coat and feathering, but this will grow again. 2 King’s Kirkavagh Jumilla. A beautiful bitch, combining substance with elegance. As one would expect, in perfect coat and condition. Liked her head and expression and, standing, I thought she would be my winner. A pity that she was so reluctant to move, but who can blame her under those conditions? 3 Evans’ Brabrook Marbela.

OB (9,2) 1 Hunter and Brown’s Sh.Ch. Braidmount Geisha Girl. The complete, mature package! On top of her form and showing with great enthusiasm. Impressed me with her perfect presentation and wonderful condition. Good construction and powerful, well developed quarters allow her to move with freedom, covering her ground effortlessly. Calmly handled to make the most of her many virtues and I was delighted to award her the CC. 2 Mugford’s Lynwood Promises Promises to Gimaroch. Such a nice, feminine bitch. Good on the move. Racy and elegant, but could have done with a bit more tummy feathering to complete the picture today. Nevertheless, I thought she deserved the Res. CC - the 2nd she had from me. Hope she gets her 3rd CC soon. 3 Blackshaw’s Lanstara Bedazzled.

Moray Armstrong

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