Midland Border Terrier Club

The Midland Border Terrier Club Championship Show Judge: Bitches: Sally Leslie (Risdene)

Thank you to the Committee and Exhibitors for a super day. It must always be a pleasure and honour to judge at a club show where the depth of quality is clearly high and this was especially appreciated after so many had also made the long journey to Devon the day before. I’m not going to lecture. After all we are all on the same side and want our breed to thrive. However I think I should mention that movement is not generally true and accurate fore and aft. I did see some strange limb and joint placement. Notwithstanding less than perfect gait I still sought something that did not make me uncomfortable to watch and importantly for me exhibited easy freedom using the whole of the foot and leg assembly to take energy from the ground not jolting or with feet flipping limply but fluid placement with reach and drive. That does not imply exaggeration and wasted energy just simple low to the ground daisy cutting propulsion and economy which is a thing of beauty to behold. Mouths and jaws generally were pleasing. The small pearly dentition of a while ago were not in evidence and I enjoyed the large teeth that never fail to surprise and please. For this reason I have not felt the need to remark individually. I never penalise stacked exhibits but I Ioved the preponderance of handler’s free showing. Relaxed, well made examples do stand nicely naturally and it often seems to me that exhibitors know less than their charges when it comes to limb placement and balance. Coats - I really appreciated those exhibitors who felt able to leave coats in place even though a little past their sell by date. I can happily judge through a good coat which enables me to ascertain texture and quality whereas however neat an outline the lack of any evidence of coat in this working breed must be a negative. Happily my fellow judge and I agreed on most of the main placings and I did not trouble the Referee as for me the prime consideration for any exhibitor must surely be the CC. Results Minor Puppy - Bitch Entries: 11 Absentees: 2 a smashing class to begin with headed by 1st - Borderxpress Echo Beach (Mr R Wright) A super puppy showing in an accomplished way for one so young, really liked her size, make and shape, spannable, feminine and typical in head with nicely shaped eye, head nicely set on good neckline, good in upperarm, balanced throughout, well ribbed back, has a lovely double coat and good pelt, needs to tighten in front but looked good circling the ring 2nd - Twigglestone Serendipite (Mrs L I Aldous) Another promising puppy who appealed, good skull and muzzle, pleasing eyeset, shape and expression. Scored in neck and shoulder. Correct bone. Well coated and has all the qualities required to finish well. 3rd - Terabyte Up Town Girl (Mr K Green) Not as outgoing as compatriots and didn’t quite relax to make the best of herself but lots to like and no reason to doubt she will progress satisfactorily Res - Tojamatt Ann Brandreth (Mr & Mrs D Matthews) VHC - Blackmine Blue Pearl At Chorbeck (Mrs H Haughton) Puppy - Bitch Entries: 12 Absentees: 1 I enjoyed this class with some interesting ones for the future: 1st - Brankell Countdown To Flegato (Mrs M Fleming) BPB and BPIS Lithe and good to handle, pleasing height to length ratios and built on active lines, typy and has all the essentials, stands on good feet, very attractive head although could be a tad neater in ear, easily spanned, well ribbed, good strength behind, just preferred underline to 2, 2nd - Stineval Memphis To Emblehope (Miss D Bladen) charming puppy, ultra feminine and correct in head and expression, slightly neater in outline than 1, presented in beautiful coat with good pliable skin, carries herself nicely, benefits from well made quarters with second thigh and good tail well set on 3rd - Carrock Curiosity (Ms J Fawcett) put down in hard, fit condition, appealed generally in construction and for head properties Res - Reedbeck Firefly (Miss R C Lane) VHC - Tojamatt Ann Brandreth (Mr & Mrs D Matthews) Junior - Bitch Entries: 17 Absentees: 4 Hotly contested class with some very smart individuals who will surely ensure the next generation is safely assured 1st - Howthwaite Gay Dusky (Mr R J & Mrs E A Barrett) what a cracker, lovely fluid action, I feared she might carry a little too much bone but was happy to find she just needed a little judicious trimming, stands balanced, I loved her head and typical expression, good angulation all through, useful hindquarters and well set tail, lovely dense B/T coat with undercoat, pressed hard for top honours 2nd - Foxfactor Fire Cracker (Mrs K D Stockley) Another that moves with freedom and muscular propulsion without exaggeration, good size and bone, spannable, nice head, good in body, handles well 3rd - Bandicoot Avenger (Mrs V L K Docwra) Easy to place highly in this strong class, ticks all the boxes just not quite as forward as class mates Res - Dandyhow Pandora (Mrs K Irving) VHC - Awbrooksky Margot Robbie (Mr R & Miss L Goddard) Maiden - Bitch Entries: 7 Absentees: 1 1st - Hawcoat Step in Time (Mrs E J & Miss R C Larner) Honest and workmanlike individual, good backline, firm and fit, good coat and pelt, had the benefit of maturity over 2 2nd - Blackmine Blue Pearl At Chorbeck (Mrs H Haughton) very much a baby but has good length of rib and well made quarters, stepped out nicely just needs to continue to develop normally 3rd - Pherlas Bluebell (Mr R M & Mrs H Rowland) not as outgoing as 1 and 2 and therefore does not make the best of herself as yet tending to stand a little wide at the top with her feet together Res - Sweet Pearl (Mrs D J Turner) VHC - Glenorchy Reiver (Ms M Davies) Yearling - Bitch Entries: 13 Absentees: 2 Strong class with high quality exhibits filling the places and beyond unfortunately for some that sadly went cardless 1st - Alcumlow Bloom (Mr P, Mrs B & Miss R Barber) a very engaging and true Border, shapely and well made all through from pleasing length of neck and well laid shoulder to strong quarters, flawlessly presented, lovely skull and foreface, could be a tad neater in ear but does not spoil her typical expression, good bone, spannable, moves like she should in profile from such correct construction RCC 2nd - Ragatam Essence (Miss T Peacock) Just preferred the forehand of winner but I liked her a lot, very good to handle in super coat and pelt, head and expression answers the standard well, good height to length ratios, fit and active in build generally, strode out well with purpose 3rd - Broadsmill Ha'penny for Holteal (Mrs G Vaughan) of good size, shape and femininity, nice head with strong muzzle Res - Bardenfox Queen of the Road (Mr I & Mrs J Broomhead) VHC - Ravenside Marsha At Jordith (Mrs L.M.I & Mr A.M. Jordan-Smith) Graduate - Bitch Entries: 7 Absentees: 1 1st - Foxfactor Fire Cracker (Mrs K D Stockley) 2nd - Carrickfarm Macey (Mrs M Armstrong) Built on very nice lines, easily spanned and well conditioned, attractive head properties just rather throwing herself around on the move which sadly spoilt her action 3rd - Southash Hazel Honey (Mr J & Mrs I M Southam) very useful sort, good body lines, sweet and feminine, not totally enjoying her day which was a shame Res - Hawcoat Step in Time (Mrs E J & Miss R C Larner) VHC - Chorbeck Angel Eyes (Mrs H Haughton) Post Graduate - Bitch Entries: 15 Absentees: 4 1st - Oxcroft Damson Of Glenorchy (Mrs M Davies) not really using her tail as I would wish and moved a bit green but despite that she was sound enough and I liked her straight front, narrow, well moulded and filled body with normal angulation, underline and build generally, lovely head properties, with well shaped and expressive eye 2nd - Alcumlow Heather At Sensevalley (Mrs C & Mr D Payne) not quite as well-knit as winner, combines strength with femininity, deep enough in body but spannable, good back line and tail set, ideal coat and pelt, good head properties but just a little plain in ear 3rd - Thornheswin Old Magic (Mr J C Dixon) Workmanlike and smart, lots to like about this typical exhibit, keen expression pleased Res - Foxcourt Amber Spirit Gambler (Ms S P Greenway) VHC - Rhozzum Whim (Mrs M Sharp) Limit - BitchEntries: 15 Absentees: 6 A good line-up 1st - Marsirdan Jemima Puddle (Mr M Service) Very lovely and typy bitch to go over, she took my eye on circling the ring reaching out like a good one with corresponding power with economy behind, she tries very hard for her handler and may not relax perfectly but she handles balanced, super otterhead, best of expressions, good neckline, easy to span, well ribbed, firm in loin and good rear assembly the whole producing a pleasing and flowing outline , I wish she was a little tidier in front but her many qualities deserve high regard CC 2nd - Caznray Just A Mystery From Thornheswin (Mr J C Dixon) Another eye catcher for the right reasons, unfortunate to meet winner, super close correct coat, moved out well with purpose and efficiency, normal, tight and workmanlike all through, good head properties, keen looking and alert, spannable, good body lines, not discounted in the challenge 3rd - Foxpaw Revelation JW (Mrs H Fulker) another very good example of the breed who scores in head which has developed beautifully just today preferred the length of bone of 1 and 2 Res - Borderxpress Miss Potter (Mr R Wright) VHC - Gameway Love Of The Chase (Mrs P Clark) Open – Bitch Entries: 11 Absentees: 4 filled with lovely representatives of the breed who will doubtless trade places 1st - Bardenfox Tale as Old as Time (Mr I & Mrs J Broomhead) True Border head and expression coupled with an excellent weather proof proper Border coat and pelt, good height to length ratios, nicely made and has many desirable assets not just as smooth or easy on the move as main winners today 2nd - CH Bandicoot Dragon Glass (Mrs V L K Docwra) Built on typical lines, just preferred head properties of 1, good sized individual with correct bone, angulation satisfactory, well ribbed, good underline, lots to appreciate 3rd - Mansergh Paint By Numbers (Miss A Roslin Williams) Easy to handle and like, of ideal size and readily spanned, was just showing the after effects of the dratted estrus interference Res - Byrewick Valentine (Mr R Brewster & Ms J Green) VHC - Foxfactor Fancy Free (Mrs K Stockley) Special Challenge - Bitch Entries: 10 Absentees: 6 1st - Borderxpress Echo Beach (Mr R Wright) 2nd - Twigglestone Serendipite (Mrs L I Aldous) 3rd - Otterpaws Red Red Wine (Mrs J M Dixon) Workmanlike example, good skull and foreface, pleasing reach of neck and good shoulders, very much a baby and nothing wrong with that Res - Foxwater Miss Adventure (Mrs J Spence) Veteran - Bitch Entries: 10 Absentees: 5 1st - CH Cobstoneway Moon River at Clipstone (Miss E & Mrs J Jackson) Sound and one of the best movers of the day, has every reason to know her own worth, epitomises the standard, in full, dense coat, typical throughout, just showing her age a little in the challenge 2nd - Carrickfarm Mika ShCM (Mrs V M Armstrong) Rather unlucky to meet winner as I liked this exhibit a lot, of good size, typy, true and positive mover 3rd - Wings of Speed at Otterpaws (Miss Dixon) Good example who appealed, in excellent hard coat with proper skin, handles well Res - CH Nantcoch Ffion JW ShCM (Mrs J M Phillips) VHC - Intack Lady Eleanor (Mrs F J Matthews) Special Open Working - Bitch Entries: 0 Absentees: 0