Wessex Border Collie Club

Club: Wessex Border Collie Club

Event: Junior Border Collie Of The Year (JOTY)

Date: 22nd September 2019

Judge: Kathy Burnell (FIELDBANK)

Junior of the Year: Ms S Austin, MIRAJE FROZEN AGAIN FOR HYSTEPS.

Reserve Junior of the Year: Lee and Ratcliffe, ARRODARE ROYAL FLUSH JW.

Many thanks to the committee of Wessex BCC for the invite to judge this special competition. The day was well run and a big thank you goes to my ring steward and the catering team for a delicious lunch.

A fairly new event in the Border Collie calendar this being the third year. It was run to coincide with their open show for the convenience of the exhibitors. There were superb rosettes and a permanent trophy for each JOTY class winner.

Well done to all those who qualified to take part and good luck for the future to all those that took part.

Class 1 (3,0 abs)

1st Ms. S Austin,  MIRAJE FROZEN AGAIN FOR HYSTEPS.   A nicely matured male with a good head pattern, correct eye shape and colour, well defined stop, balanced skull and fore-face. I liked the quality of his bone, a strong neck, well laid shoulder, good rear angulation and fall over the croup. Sound movement front and rear and good side gate which would be improved by the dog dropping his head, allowing him to achieve more reach and drive. He did however, briefly, show me that he is capable of attaining that free movement to gain the overall title Junior Of The Year. 

Class 2 (3,1 abs)

1st Murfett and Ratcliffe,  ARRODARE ROYAL APPROVAL. Litter brother to Royal Flush, presented in top condition, a masculine head with good definition, dark eyes and clean teeth. Nicely matured for his 17mths with good bone and overall correct angulation. Showed a good side profile on the move and sound rear action, when views from the front his patterns could have been firmer. 

Class 3 (5,2 abs)

1st Mrs M Turner,  LITTLETHORNE AERO.   A good looking bitch, well boned of bone and in good coat and condition. A well defined head but her expression is little stark. Good length of neck, well laid shoulders with nicely angled forequarters, good depth of brisket. Lovely smooth outline over the croup and correct tail length as all my winners had today. Nice side gait but would have liked to see stronger movement when viewing the front and rear action.  

Class 4 (4,2 abs)

1st Lee and Ratcliffe,  ARRODARE ROYAL FLUSH JW.   A very feminine youngster so full of quality. Lovely shaped head, dark eyes and a keen yet gentle expression. Good reach of neck into well laid shoulders. Taking a natural stand you can see everything is in the right place with correct angles over her forequarters, nice depth of chest and a good sweep round her stifle to well let down parallel hocks. She has a smooth and tireless side-gate, though a little close at the rear which I would like to see improve with maturity. She was well handled and looking very much the baby of the line up. I was pleased to award her runner up JOTY. 

Judge: Kathy Burnell (FIELDBANK)