Berkshire Downs & Chilterns Golden Retriever Club

BERKSHIRE DOWNS & CHILTERNS GOLDEN RETRIEVER CLUB

Sunday 7th November 2021

Bitch judge: Mrs HEATHER MORSS

I would like to start by thanking the society for my appointment, a warm welcome was waiting as always from this committee and the show had a wonderful atmosphere, guess we are all delighted to be out and about again. My two stewards for the day were Mrs Lindsay Maynard and Mr Anthony Trinder so all ran very smoothly which enabled me to concentrate on the job in hand. I would also like to thank those who gave me a super entry, and for accepting my decisions with such good grace. My co-judge Mrs Dawn Rose selected a most impressive male from her entry and I was in full agreement that he should take Best In Show.

I have a few observations to comment on which I hope will stimulate some discussion, mouths were generally better than when I last judged bitches, but a few too many light eyes for my liking so that really needs watching and three bitches with calf licks up their noses.. I also noticed for the first time five bitches who had quite marked kinks in their tails, surely they aren’t all getting them injured? and lastly my personal ‘thing’ is when moving your exhibit in a straight line into a corner do consider that for a two legged handler to pivot and return to the judge is quite simple, moving the dog around themselves in a continuous flowing movement is far more effective as the dog keeps its cadence and balance, rather than scrunching the dog to a complete standstill while the exhibitor moves around and then stops while the dog turns only to have to get back into their stride again. I appreciate for those who may have done Junior handling etc that the rule was always to keep the dog between yourself and judge but for the one stride that the dog moves around the point/handler is less of an obstruction that the dog coming to a complete standstill, having to turn around and then get back into a flowing stride. Trying to get exhibitors to move in an accurate triangle is generally hopeless. Unless the movement away from the judge is totally straight as should be the return then actually assessing the dogs rear and fore movement is a challenge at best. So I have preferred for some years to ask for a straight up and down to the furthest corner and then keeping the pace, move round to the rear of the class.

BITCH CRITIQUE:

Special Veteran Bitch (10 entries 1 absentee)

1st Mr ML & Mrs HJ Mell’s MELOAK LILY THE PINK Such a pretty blonde bitch in excellent form today, not carrying too much weight which helped her to the top spot in this class. She has a good reach of neck onto well laid shoulders, excellent angulation both fore and aft, level topline, straight front and well bent stifles. Moved and handled very well.

2nd Dr J & Mrs C Oldring’s FENWOOD VICTORIA BECKHAM AT FLAXENGOLD This bitch is one I have always admired. Still looking fabulous at ten years of age with everything I am looking for.

3rd Mrs SE Phipps-Baker & Mrs IR Baker’s TENFIELD LOOKS LIKE TROUBLE AT MADDOUSE JW Such a fit and animated bitch looking absolutely wonderful for her age. Straight front, well made forehand and level topline, top quality in all respects in a very strong class of mature ladies.

Reserve Miss DJ Hudson’s AYMSBURY AKAYSHA

VHC Mr J & Mrs EM Keene’s SHINEHILL SUMMER EVE

Minor Puppy Bitch (14 entries 0 absentees)

This was an absolutely wonderful class.. so many beautiful babies, some understandably lacking show and ring craft experience, but the quality was all there and the future looks bright for many of them.

1st Mrs J Jackson-Haines LEIGHSHAM CHANTILLY filled my eye as soon as she made her late entrance into the ring.. it was a Ta Da! moment for sure. Super personality, very positive on the move this young lady has the temperament to catch many a judges eye. I loved her.

2nd Miss S McCormack’s FLYNGALEE WISHING WELL this young puppy pushed hard to take the class, light on her feet, beautifully made throughout

3rd Miss SA Loach’s PUTJADE PLASTIC FANTASTIC mid gold double coat on this very balanced puppy. Excellent on the move where she held her very level topline.

Reserve Mr S & Mrs P O’Gorman’s BERRYMEADE KINVARA

VHC Miss E Oughton’s CATNNELS SPARKLE N’SHINE AT CARUBELO

Puppy Bitch (13 entries 4 absentees)

1st Mrs AE Falconer’s SONEVE SIMPLY SPECIAL FOR SIATHAM my notes started off by saying wish she was mine.. this young lady is right out of the top drawer. So very positive on the move she was light and efficient on her feet moving with great drive and oh that attitude, she has showmanship by the bucket load, typical Golden approach to everything with a tail that never stopped wagging. Her very pretty head on a good reach of neck, well set onto her excellent shoulders. Level topline which was maintained on the move. Strong quarters, all in all an outstanding puppy.

2nd Mrs G Hewitson’s SERUILIA SHINING STAR a quality bitch but rather spoilt by a few extra pounds today. She moved true and was well handled. Strongly made throughout, good bone and well sprung ribs, double coat.

3rd Mr GM & Mrs CA Rogers’ WATAMUSAND ZUWENAH MUZIKI pleased that this immature baby ran on, she certainly benefitted from her warm up in the very strong minor puppy class where she was finding her feet somewhat. Well made, with all the required angles, straight front and the prettiest of expressions. She was very settled on the move in this class and made a very good account of herself.

Reserve Mrs H Heanue-Travers STELLAMARIS VIXEN

VHC Mrs AL McGeoch’s NEDLEZAH HIGHLAND LASSIE O’

Junior Bitch (18 entries 2 absentees)

1st Mrs SM Zubair’s THORNYWAIT I SPY (AI) a lovely young bitch, with all the essentials. Very beautiful well prepared light gold double coat with not a hair out of place, covered a well made framework of good bone and angles. Sweet head and expression, good set on of neck to shoulder. Level topline and good ribs with plenty of heart room. Perfect foot fall, moving true and steady, very well handled.

2nd Ms A Campion’s FENPINQUE GLAMOURGLOW this bitch oozes personality, wagging her tail totally at one with her handler she made a very pretty picture. In great coat and condition, she moved and was handled extremely well.

3rd Mr G Baldacchino’s ANGELONATO SHINE ON DANCOVE (RAF) superb construction on this very animated bitch, pretty head with dark eye and correct bite. Straight front, well laid shoulders and level topline. Strong quarters, straight hocks which pushed her with ease across the show ring. Really covered the ground effortlessly, I would have liked more coat, but that will come, what she had was correct.

Reserve Mrs J May’s CHERRYGOLD STORYTELLER JW

VHC Mrs FM Clarkson’s DRUMKILTY TRISKELE

Yearling Bitch (12 entries 2 absentees)

1st Mrs N Vermander & TH Adam’s TREASURE OF SUNSHINE’S VALLEY an eye catching young blonde bitch. Very attentive to her handler which sometimes makes her drop into her knees, but on the move she was as level as a table. Strong, fit and outgoing she makes a great picture. All the essential points covered, in particular a very well made front with good upper arm. I liked her a lot.

2nd Mr FJ & PD Taylor’s PANDREFT QUITE A MELODY beautiful gold coat on this fit young bitch, in tip top condition and showed this off on the move. I particularly loved her over the quarters, well bent stifles, good width of upper thigh, strong straight hocks and neat feet.

3rd Mr G Baldacchino’s DANCOVE ROSE TATTOO (RAF) My notes say how to look good naked! She has super forehand construction, dead level topline with correct tail set. Powerful quarters, strong straight hocks. Well up on her pasterns, standing on four good feet. Moved like a dream, and showing great personality.

Reserve Mrs SE Russell-Bond ROSINANTE DEJU VU

VHC Mr K & Mrs S Magson’s CASTLEGOLDEN CLASSY LASSY

Maiden Bitch (10 entries 4 absentees)

1st Ms A Campion’s FENPINQUE GLAMOURGLOW

2nd Miss S McCormack’s FLYNGALEE WISHING WELL

3rd Mr GM & Mrs CA Rogers’ WATAMUSAND ZUWENAH MUZIKI

Reserve Mr M and Miss M McNeish’s DRUMKILTY TOODLE PIP

VHC Mr & Mrs PJ North’s SONEVE SIMPLY SWEET AT TIPPASTREE

Novice Bitch (11 entries 3 absentees)

1st Mrs G Hewitson’s SERUILIA SHINING STAR

2nd Mrs J Ward’s LAURENLEY JASMINE fabulous bone on this junior bitch, good feet and a lovely head with dark expressive eyes. She was well handled and moved at one with her handler.

3rd Mr M and Miss M McNeish’s DRUMKILTY TOODLE PIP a very nice bitch who is well put together, and in good coat and excellent condition. The young handler did a good job but the bitch needs to perk up a bit to show herself to better advantage.

Reserve Mr & Mrs PJ North’s SONEVE SIMPLY SWEET AT TIPPASTREE

VHC Miss K Clunie’s WARRENTOR SECOND TO NONE

Undergraduate Bitch (8 entries, 0 absentees)

1st Miss AE Taggart’s ALTINDAN OH PRETTY WOMAN this bitch was certainly well named, very pretty, very outgoing and happy to be in the ring. Showed her socks off and couldn’t be denied the class. Well made, dark eyes and correct bite. She has the most lovely and balanced outline, set off with a constantly wagging tail. Really covered the ground, light on her feet and at one with her handler.

2nd Mrs G Hewitson’s SERUILIA SHINING STAR

3rd Mr M and Miss M McNeish’s DRUMKILTY TOODLE PIP

Reserve Mr D & Mrs J Grantham’s REFLECTION OF WIZNGRACE AT DAJUMIJA

VHC Mr CF & Mrs L Rea’s FENPINQUE SHOOTING STAR OVER OSREALIN

Graduate Bitch (13 entries, 3 absentees)

1st Mr PJ and Mrs P Drury’s GUNHILLS ECHOES OF TIME OVER BENCOE This bitch had her work cut out to win this very nice class of quality girls. I found her so very well made in all respects. Beginning with her dark nose and eyes, correct bite lovely clean neck and correct shoulder lay. Straight front and well sprung ribs she was in tip top form and moved like a dream.

2nd Mrs AE Falconer’s CONTEMPORARY BEGUILE AGAIN VIA SIATHAM this bright gold bitch is another absolute stunner. Smart as new paint, neat, tidy and so very well presented. She really pushed hard for the top spot here, there is so much to like about her. Utterly balanced, beautiful head and expression, moved at one with her handler so very very easy on the eye.

3rd Mrs A Strobel’s PEARLY IRRESISTIBLE DUST DU BOIS DE LA RAYERE this bitch was unlucky to meet two others in such good form, because she too has much to offer. Gorgeous clean neck and shoulder, level topline. Good ribs with plenty of heart room, strong bone and good feet. She moved very well, efficient in her stride. Well handled.

Reserve Mrs SE Phipps-Baker & Mrs IR Baker’s TENFIELD ALCOR AT MADDOUSE

VHC Mrs AJE Price’s PALTON UP UP AND AWAY

Post Graduate Bitch (9 entries 1 absentee)

1st Mrs VJ Nelson’s CADWST ETERNAL FLAME this bitch was an absolute picture, pale gold in great coat and condition. Lovely head and feminine expression, clean neck, good shoulders, good width across the quarters, moved and handled extremely well.

2nd Mrs A Strobel’s PEARLY IRRESISTIBLE DUST DU BOIS DE LA RAYERE

3rd Mr R & Mrs J Chan’s LOVISSA HELLO DOLLY OF WEMCREST a very bonny bright gold bitch in superb coat and condition. Lovely head and expression, dark pigment and eyes giving a very soft expression, great forehand assembly, moved and handled very well.

Reserve Mrs J Ward’s WHEATCROFT FLAME FLICKA AT LAURENLEY

VHC Mr JJ & Mrs E Trafford’s WYNRITA MISTI DAZE AT ASTLEYFOLD

Mid Limit Bitch (9 entries 1 absentee)

1st Mrs S Birkin-Green’s SANSUE LOVESTRUCK JW this bitch rather reminded me of her grandmother Firesparkler who I loved. She was absolutely blooming today, in top condition and faultless on the move. A very feminine head with such a soft and gentle expression, Balanced and short coupled, good depth of body. A quality bitch straight out of the top drawer heading a line up of outstanding bitches.

2nd Mr S & Mrs P O’Gorman’s THORNYWAIT TOP NOTCH FOR BERRYMEADE JW how well this bitch has matured, still the solid and balanced outline I fell in love with when I first judged her as a minor puppy, she is smart, beautifully presented in fantastic coat without a hair out of place, a pleasure to judge then and now.

3rd Mrs L Anderson’s LINCHAEL LIVIA JW a quality bitch with the most impressive construction. Moved well, but was unlucky to come up against two bitches in full blooming coats.

Reserve Mrs J MacDonald’s FLYNGALEE TEPPUM

VHC Mrs A Smyth’s KADAKA KISSAGRAM JW

Limit Bitch (13 entries 3 absentees)

1st Mrs FM Clarkson’s DRUMKILTY LISDOONVARNA JW this bitch stood out in the class for her text book construction. The most beautiful forehand construction, well angulated upper arm going into a well laid shoulder. Deep in her chest with plenty of spring of rib. She was in full double coat which was very well presented, pushed hard for the ticket today but was so inconsistent with her movement not helped I think by three different handlers. She was awarded the Reserve CC

2nd Miss A & Mrs T Ives’ TREWATER BUSY LIZZIE AT BALSAMINA a top quality bitch with excellent lines and the most beautiful head and expression. She was not in the same bloom as the class winner but made a very good account of herself, well handled and shown to full advantage. Stood well on the neatest of feet.

3rd Mrs J Jackson-Haines’ LEIGHSHAM IN THE SUMMER TIME so much to like about this bitch, I see she is the mother of my minor puppy winner. Very well handled and moved true with great drive.

Reserve Mr G & Mrs T Foreman’s WYNRITA HOT TO TROT TO AMBERSUN

VHC Mrs DA Youngson’s LINIRGOR TEACHERS PET AT TREEVEVILLE JW

Open Bitch (8 entries, 3 absentees)

1st Mrs S & Miss M Lewis’ SH CH LOVEHAYNE BIJOU AMONG FAIRWINDS JW this bitch looked absolutely gorgeous, she never put a foot wrong. Very well handled and shown to full advantage, in full coat she was for me the one to beat today. Delighted to award her the BITCH CC well done.

2nd Mrs N Vermander & TH Adam’s CIB/CIE/SERB/LUX/BELG CH/BELG SH CH NEXT MIRACLE OF SUNSHINE’S VALLEY WW18 a very worthy champion bitch with a lot to like. Not quite the sparkle of the winners today but the outstanding contruction one would expect from a top winner.

3rd Mrs DS & Mrs RJ Crookes & Jenkinson’s QUAKERHALL VICTORY JUBILEE JW a very good looking gold bitch, moved like a dream using the ring to full advantage. Great temperament was obvious to see, with her constantly wagging tail.

Reserve Mr K & Mrs S Magson’s CASTLEGOLDEN CLASSY LADY JW

VHC Mrs NJ Smith’s ROCAMOKA HARBOUR LIGHTS

Special Working Bitch (3 entries, 1 absentee)

1st CH RATHCLOON HUNTER IN PINK FOR BERRYMEADE JW Shining like a new penny with her gleaming gold coat this bitch looked a picture. She was standing on great feet, straight front with an excellent forehand, exemplary attitude in the ring.. beauty and brains what more could you want?

2nd Ms R Turner’s GRAIN OF GOLD’S ARWEN OF AMILONE (imp SWE) SGWC a more mature bitch with a bigger frame, text book confirmation, perfect tailset she moved true and efficiently just what you need for a days work. Well done to these exhibitors for keeping the working instinct in their show dogs.

Judge Mrs Heather Morss