Border Union Agricultural Society

Border Union Agricultural society championship show 2021

Flatcoated Retrievers 

Judge - Vicky Davis (Pajanbeck)

It was an honour to be invited to judge at one of my favourite shows, thank you to the secretary, committee and exhibitors for a lovely day. I am grateful to the hardworking stewards that ensures a show day runs smoothly however please bear in mind that the exhibitor pays a lot of money to stand in the ring and skipping over a class or two at the start of the day after only a few shouts would ruin the whole experience for a lot of people, patience is appreciated.

I found I had a quality entry, especially within my bitch line up where I wish I had a few more green cards.

MPD - No entries

PD - No entries

J-(1) 1st May’s Ronevorg Dark Angel at Lussac, Stood alone but a quality youngster of medium size, typical male head with pleasing expression, good length of neck, correct layback of shoulder, level topline, pleasing bend of stifle, well set on tail, carried straight off his back, he’s at that slightly awkward teenage stage at 16 1/2 months exactly as you would expect, I will follow his progress with interest.

Y - 4- (1abs)

1st May’s Ronevorg Dark Angel at Lussac

2nd Reekie’s Skyloch Have a say, Another quality boy, slightly taller than 1, typical, well moulded head with pleasing expression, quality bone and substance, well laid back shoulders, slightly shorter in return of upper arm, correct hind angulation, level topline with well set on tail, lovely coat and furnishings

3rd Broome’s Benvellyn Amur Falcon of Evingbriar, 

N- 3 (1abs)

1st Reekie’s Skyloch Have a say

2nd Sullivan’s Wyrebeck Caught by surprise, lovely medium sized male, masculine head, neat well set on ears, good length of neck into well laid back shoulders, good depth of chest, I preferred the darker eye and rear movement of 1, presented in beautiful coat and condition

3rd MacPherson’s Rachanmill Columbo

G 4 (1abs)

1st Grant’s Westoncruive Black Tornado, Although this boy was far too interested in his surroundings and not concentrating on the task in hand, I was drawn to his overall shape and substance, quality coat, classical moulded head with dark eye and melting expression, neat well set on ear, correct length of neck, layback of shoulder and correct gradual spring and length of rib, quality oval bone and well arched feet, he has moments of brilliance when focused.

2nd Macpherson’s Rachanmill Columbo, handler stayed calm with this boy not cooperating fully, heavier throughout than 1, I preferred the raciness of my winner, although still a lot to like he scored with bis balanced moderate outline, masculine head with dark eye, good depth of chest, shown in lovely condition.

3rd Douglas’s Plainfire’s Quintessential Greenbayhill (Imp Che)

PGD 7ent (2 abs)

1st Bellamy’s Woodfinch Masquerade, this 2 1/2 yr old dog gave me goosebumps, he has so many points of excellence, a classical male head, dark almond shape eye and twinkling expression, neat well set on ears, correct length of neck into well laid back shoulder, correct spring and length of rib, level topline and short square loin, quality oval bone, neat well arched feet, well set on tail flows straight off his back, his rear is moderately angulated, pleasing width of thigh and short from hock to heel, he epitomises ‘power without lumber, raciness without weediness’ loved his rear movement which was the deciding factor for the CC and Best Of Breed, I was delighted to watch him shortlisted in a quality group.

2nd Huyton’s Hightyne When I Fall In Love, medium sized 2 1/2 yr old and really enjoyed himself, well moulded head and dark eye, neat ears, well laid back shoulder, level topline, correct spring and length of rib, in lovely condition

3rd Fox’s Satinbaze Cracksman for Blacktoft JW (ai)

L, 5 ent (2abs)

1st Hewison’s Casblaidd Island In The Sky SGWC, another male out of the top drawer, 4 years old and not yet fully mature, his outline flows from his beautiful moulded head with kind mischievous expression to his correctly set tail carried level off his back, excellent forehand construction, prominent forechest, he is certainly fit and muscled to perfection, many of my comments from my CC winner also apply to this dog they are of a similar stamp and quality, in the challenge I preferred the more positive movement of the PG, however a well deserved RCC and I will watch his progress with interest 

2nd Holland’s Flatcharm Mr Brightside, my notes say a ‘difficult decision’ this is another quality male and super showman, typical head and dark eye, good length of neck and correct lay back of shoulder, correct spring and length of rib, pleasing width of thigh, I preferred the overall balance and strength of the winners hindquarters 

3rd Williams’ Wistaston Jet’s legacy

O. 3 ent

1st Cooves’ Draketor Sea Shanty SHcM, maturity is suiting this medium sized balanced 7year old, nothing is overdone, he isn’t flashy but everything is correct, beautiful moulded one piece head with blunt muzzle, kind dark eye and neat well set on ears, lovely substance, correct angulation fore and aft, correct depth of chest and length of rib, short couplings and level topline held well on the move, neat well arched feet with thick pads, moved well on an efficient stride, 

2nd Jackson & Wright IR CH/IR SH CH/INT CH Caci’s just Take a Look at Lacsar (IKC) CWJ17 ANCH17 ANCH18 JUN CH 

5 year old showman that has such a will to please, larger throughout and carrying weight which affected his movement, well off for bone, well arched feet and good width of thigh 

3rd Wilmhurst’s Kulawand Intuition at Mandamay SGWC

V 5 ent

1st Blain’s SH CH Caci’s Just a Gigolo at Steelriver (IMP SWE) JW headed a lovely class of veterans, balanced outline, good length of neck and correct angulation fore and aft with good depth of chest and length of rib, quality oval bone and neat feet, well set on tail carried level with back, good width of second thigh, short from hock to heel, moved well holding a pleasing shape on the move. Best Veteran

2nd Orme’s Elmstock Thyme to Dream SGWC belies his 10 1/2 years and an ambassador of the breed to move so well as a special veteran, typical moulded head, dark kind eye, well set on ear, good length of neck, moderate angulation fore and aft, good width of thigh, tail well set on and carried correctly on the move, 

3rd Fox’s Black Mica’s Likes It Hot at Blacktoft JW (Imp SWE) 

MP 5 ent (1abs)

1st Ford’s Lussac Yawl of Percuil, feminine 7 month old and so balanced, kind dark eye and neat well set on ears, good length of neck, prominent forechest, correct lay back of shoulder and return of upper arm, level topline, moderately angulated hindquarters, preferred her front extension on the move, moved well with accuracy BP

2nd Stevenson’s Blacktoft Caress of Steelriver, another super feminine puppy, moulded head and almond shaped dark eye, good length of neck correct layback of shoulder, good length of rib, level topline and correct angulation through hindquarters, 

3rd Bellamy’s Moontorn Better Half of Me 

P 2 ent 

1st Ford’s Lussac Yawl of Percuil

2nd Williamson’s Hoedun Joy Ride to Sandti, placed fourth in MP as at this stage she appears over angulated and very loose on the move, still a quality young lady, feminine head, dark eye, quite unsettled, would prefer more refinement throughout, will look forward to seeing her with more experience 

J 2 ent

1st Orme’s Hopevalley Morning Dream of Elmstock, one for the future, scored in size and overall shape, well moulded feminine head, kind dark eye, neat well set on ear, correct length of neck and well laid shoulder, level topline and good length and gradual spring of rib, correct angulation through the hindquarters, good width of second thigh, moved well

2nd Gogarty’s Padend Just the way you are, another lovely youngster, appealing feminine head and expression, well set on ears, good length of neck into well laid back shoulder and return of upper arm, prominent forechest, level topline with pleasing width of thigh. Preferred the raciness of 1

Y 6 ent (2 abs)

1st Holland’s Flatcharm Bianca Del Rio, a balanced workmanlike bitch and moderate throughout, dark kind eye, neat well set on ears, correct length of neck, good depth of chest and length of rib with short square loin, neat well arched feet, well muscled hindquarters, handled to advantage.

2nd Reid’s Rainesgift Heaven Sent to Orkhatos, another quality youngster, feminine head and kind expression, neat well set on ear, prominent forechest and level topline, excelled with her strong moderately angulated hindquarters and neat feet, I preferred the short square loin of 1, her exhibitor is one we should all try to emulate, her humour brightened up a great day 

3rd McDonald’s Skyloch Final Say

N 3 ent

1st Curtis’ Tallistar Crazy in love, loved her outline, balanced from all angles, typical feminine head, dark, kind almond shaped eye, neat well set on ears, excellent forehand construction and prominent forechest, correct gradual spring and length of rib, level topline into excellent hindquarters, pleasing width of second thigh, short from hock to heel, perfect tailset carried level on the move and she moved beautifully, I was really drawn to this youngster and considered her for top honours, I will follow her with interest.

2nd Rainesgift Heaven sent to O

3rd Padend Just the way you are 

G 5 ent 

1st Gilchrist & Smitherman’s Wistaston Lucky Choice of Ardmhor JW pleasing balanced outline, feminine moulded head, kind dark eye, neat ears slightly lower set, good length of neck into well laidback shoulders, level topline and held level on the move, good depth of chest and length of rib, short square loin, moderately angulated hindquarters and short from hock to heel, another I considered for top honours,

2nd Grant’s Westoncruive Black Aurora, feminine head and correct eye, neat ear, quality bone and substance, good length of rib, correct moderately angulated hindquarters, neat well arched feet, well set on tail, a quality bitch I preferred the size and raciness of the winner,

3rd Richards Hopevalley Morning River through Manhattan

PG 6 ent (3 abs)

1st Bowen’s Candiliz Funky Monkey at Clandrift, balanced flowing outline, larger frame but exquisite throughout, feminine classical head, kind dark eye, good length of neck into excellent forehand construction, good depth and length of rib, short square loin, correct hindquarters with well set on tail, good width of thigh, moved well on neat well arched feet, in lovely condition

2nd Bellamy’s Moontorn Goddess of Love, feminine one piece head, kind dark eye, neat well set on ears, correct length of neck into well laid back shoulder and correct length of return of upper arm, level topline held on the move, good width of thigh, I preferred the flow and angle over the croup into tailset of the winner.

3rd Ball’s Gwenadillo Pure Genius of Champunzie

L 5 ent

1st Lussac Winter Witch JW, loved the medium size and shape of this 3yr old bitch, she exudes power without lumber, raciness without weediness and shown on a loose lead at all time, holds her shape well, emitting the feeling she would work all day. moulded feminine head, dark almond shape eye, would prefer a smaller ear, good length of neck into excellent forehand construction, prominent forechest, gradual spring of rib, which really impressed with her tidy movement coming towards me, good length of rib and short coupled, correct angulation through hindquarters, pleasing bend of stifle and well set on tail carried on a level with her back. Such enthusiasm on the move with beautiful side and front profile and footfall. BCC

2nd Fox’s Blacktoft Dancin the Blues, Another top drawer bitch, elegant with classical head, kind dark eye and neat ears, Correct length of neck well set into well laid back shoulders, level topline, good length of rib, short square loin, moderately angulated hindquarters and neat from hock to heel,

3rd Huyton’s Hightyne Ramblin Rose, 

O 6 ent 

1st McDonald’s Steelriver Dance In The Sun at Skyloch, a bitch I have admired before, drawn to her correct size and balance, she has a typical feminine head, dark twinkling eye and neat well set on ear, good length of neck into well laid back shoulder and correct return of upper arm, good depth of chest and correctly angulated hindquarters, moving with the correct footfall and enthusiasm, in the challenge today I would have preferred a touch more raciness throughout,

2nd Armstrong’s Almanza Lara O’Grady, ultra feminine throughout and the sweetest nature, moulded one piece head, good length of neck, moderately angulated fore and aft, good depth of chest and level topline, well set on tail, lacking the maturity for an open class, she gave a lot away in finish, I preferred the overall shape and body ratio of 1

V 3 ent

1st Branscombe’s Torinmill Gaelic Aurora, there is nothing flashy or overdone with this bitch but she is so well made throughout, beautiful moulded head, dark kind eye, ear well set on, good length of neck well set into correct front assembly and pleasing length in return of upper arm, good depth of chest, gradual spring and length of rib, short square loin, moderately angulated hindquarters, good width of thigh and second thigh, quality bone and substance without coarseness, perfect footfall on the move with tidy elbows working alongside her flat foreribs, she presented a beautiful stance in the challenge, I couldn’t deny her the RCC in great company

2nd Hewison’s Donascimento Danilo from Casblaidd SGWC, Another cracking veteran, feminine head with neat ears, well laid back shoulder, level topline and well set on tail, correct hind angulation, good width of thigh and second thigh and muscle upon muscle, she’s a credit to her owners,

3rd Thurgood’s Ballyriver Snow flake of Thurwitt