Midlands Irish Setter Society

Midlands Irish Setter Society Championship Show 2022 – 6th of February 2022

Judge – Jo-Anne Parsons

Dogs

Thank you to the Committee of MISS for inviting me to judge at this prestigious show and for looking after me so well throughout the day. Thank you to my very efficient stewards and also to Maggie for documenting the day with her beautiful photography.

My sincere thanks to all of the exhibitors, what a stunning entry, I enjoyed every single moment of what turned out to be my first Championship Show judging appointment. Having not attended many shows over the past two years I was looking upon many of these exhibits with fresh eyes and was so pleased with the depth of quality through the whole entry. I actually found looking at my final line up very emotional, how lucky we all are to share our lives with this stunning breed.

Minor Puppy (6)

Wow, what a start to the day! This class was full of top quality youngsters.

1st – Hall’s Harreds Liam – this young man stole my heart. He has a stunning head, already so refined, dark eyes, raised brows and exquisite chiselling. Well boned with superb forechest and correct layback of shoulders and a great return of upper arm. He already has depth to his chest and a strength through his loin and he stands on a strong, neat feet. Typical happy go lucky puppy attitude on the move, enjoying every minute of his day and lapping up the attention. A rich chestnut coat finished the picture perfectly. Won this superb class, BPD and then BPIS against his BPB sister.

2nd Danks-Kemish’s Coppers Welcome to the Party at Alolfrana – another exciting young dog full of potential. He has a kind, gentle expression with a lean but masculine head. Rich, dark, gleaming coat and great depth of chest and spring of rib. Slightly longer in loin than 1 he has correct angulation fore and aft with a lovely sweep of stifle and strong hocks. Moved very well with great drive and purpose.

3rd – Bott’s Bardonhill Carry On Dick

Puppy (5, 1a)

1st - Danks-Kemish’s Coppers Welcome to the Party at Alolfrana

2rd – Bott’s Bardonhill Carry On Dick – another smashing youngster. He is full of quality with great substance. Handsome and refined head with a gentle look to his expression. Flowing topline and strong quarters which he put to good use on the move. Lovely to see a puppy moving on a loose lead, he had his head held high, carrying himself so well, maintaining his topline at all times while still having that lovely puppy roll and a wagging tail.

3rd – Rutherford and Prangle’s Clonageera Touch of Gold

Veteran (6, 2a)

1st – Mitchell’s Sh.Ch. Amblin’s Sweet William – Very handsome 9 year old dog who is a wonderful representative of the breed, a good example of a dog with moderation combined with quality throughout. The kindest of dark eyes, refined, lean head with nothing overdone. Muscular, clean neck, good bone and a well developed rib and loin. He moved with positivity and purpose in his class today holding his topline with a well set on tail. BVD

2nd – Edwards’ Gwendariff PS I Love You at Bonhomie – A taller dog than 1, very elegant, longer in neck but maintains his balance, especially on the move. He has a wonderful straight, deep chestnut coat and he was presented in immaculate condition. He also moved extremely well with great drive and animation.

3rd – Fosters’ Millcroft Chase the Moon to Shanoah

Junior (4, 1a)

1st – Gratton and Gratton’s Glenlaine Moonstone – A young dog who shows so much elegance and refinement but he still has lots of maturing to do. His head is wonderfully balanced, lovely depth of muzzle and correct amount of foreface which was lacking in some today. Expressive raised brow and dark eye, low set on ears, he has a look of mischief about him and a twinkle in his eye. Flowing topline, straight front, strong boned with neat, tight feet. He just needs to strengthen up in his back end on the move. Shown in wonderful condition.

2nd – Corless’ Swiftlark Invincible – Very different type to 1 and he is also at that stage where he is maturing into adulthood. A bigger, rangier dog than 1 but still has balance and now just needs time to settle into his frame. Handsome head, muscular neck and strong topline. Great depth to his chest, muscular loin and correct rear angulation. Moved with drive and with great personality.

3rd – Murray’s Bluebyeyou Love Affair at Derrydore

Yearling (7, 1a)

Such an exciting class to judge.

1st – Bott, Allen and Morgan’s Quensha Take a Bow – I started the day with an image in my mind of a true Irish Setter and this dog was absolutely everything I was looking for – he is so full of quality, most handsome, really refined and racy. He manages to combine style, elegance and masculinity without any coarseness or being over done or exaggerated in any way. He is very mature, but when you get your hands on him, he is also a fit young dog who is constructed so soundly and athletically. He has a ‘stop you in your tracks’ outline with a flowing topline, ample forechest and well laid back shoulders with the correct layback of upper arm. He is strong in his hind quarters with a fabulous sweep of stifle and short, straight hocks. He has that true Irish attitude about him, his head is handsome, with a dark, unshelled almond eye and raised brow which he used to great effect watching me walk around the ring at all times. He moved with such enthusiasm, driving around the ring. He did have to work hard in my final line up against some stunning dogs and on my final walk round he turned his head, gave me ‘that look’ and the day belonged to him. I was pleased to award him the CC, which turned out to be his third, and in agreement with my co judge BIS.

2nd – Hemmings’ Orlanset Mandolin – how wonderful to find another absolute cracker so early on in the day and how exciting for the future of the breed to have this many ‘up and coming’ dogs. This is another boy with a typical outline, his topline flows, sloping gently from the tip of his nose through to the tip of his tail. He has a handsome, balanced head, strong, moderate neck and is excellent in his fore angulation. Correct depth of chest and well sprung ribs, great bone and really neat, tight feet. I really liked his balance, his length of loin and well-made quarters and short, straight hocks. Moved with drive and as you would expect from a dog with great conformation.

3rd – Beresford’s Jetsetter Wind of Dreams (Rus IMP) – have to give this lad a mention, not as mature as the first two but another exciting prospect.

Maiden (3, 1a)

1st – Dufrat’s Riverbrue Cast No Shadow on Haverley – an eye catching young dog shown in lovely condition, with a rich dark, straight coat. He excels in head with refined but masculine features. Strong, muscular and correct moderate neck length, well laid-back shoulders, muscular loin and very pleasing angulation in his stifle supported by short hocks. He seems to lack a little confidence in himself when you approach to look at him and he does tend to sink back into his shoulders, but he carries himself very well on the move, maintaining his topline and tail carriage and he looks very good in the free stand.

2nd – Gratton and Grattons Glenlaine Moonshine

Novice (5)

1st – Pike’s Redclyst The Celt – Fourth in a cracking Yearling class, a totally honest dog who is so very sound throughout, I was very impressed by him. He presents a very clean, elegant profile, he flows in his topline and has great balance, he holds himself very well and needs no fussing from his handler. It is his sound construction that allows him to move with great strength around the ring, driving from his well muscled hind quarters. Another promising young dog with a great future ahead of him.

2nd – Gratton and Gratton’s Glenlaine Moonshine

3rd – Fisher’s Quensha Who Knew

Undergraduate (9, 3a)

A class of some promising dogs at various stages of development.

1st – Pullen’s Ixia Fennec Fox – a typical young Irish dog, he enjoyed every minute of making this class hard work for his handler, but won this class as I saw great potential. He has a stunning balanced, lean head which was the best in the class, dark eyes of the correct shape, expressive raised brows and the look of the ‘Irish’ about him. Once he got it together he presents a very pleasing picture, he still has some maturing to do but is racy throughout with strong quarters. He is a little strong and exuberant on the move but once he realises his handler knows best he will settle.

2nd – Gilks’ Suteresett Mr Mistoffelees at Gochmawr – Another boy who did not make it easy for his handler. Rich chestnut coated dog shown in wonderful condition, nothing is overdone and he presents a nice picture when he relaxes. Correct depth to his chest, well sprung ribs and strong, muscular loin. He just tended to tense up when stood, but moved very well and used his powerful well muscled quarters and short, straight hocks to great advantage.

3rd – Murray’s Bluebyeyou Love Affair at Derrydore

Graduate (11)

Another fabulous class!

1st – Brown’s Riverbrue Soldier On – this boy had to pull out all the stops to win this really great class. He has very sound construction, slightly arched, muscular and moderate neck, fabulous lay back of shoulder and return of upper arm, strong in forechest with a deep chest and well sprung ribs. Gently sloping and flowing topline, the correct length to his loin and his tail is set on perfectly. He excels in hind angulation with the desired bend of stifles and short, strong hocks. He is a masculine dog and is not overdone in any way. I thought he was handled extremely well.

2nd – Cohen’s Lynwood Merry May King Shushana – I was very taken by this dog, so honest and correct in his construction, a wonderful example of the moderation described in the breed standard. When you get your hands on him he is totally unexaggerated but full of quality, refined and racy with a lovely outline. His head has the desired chiselling, raised brow and he is very handsome with a correct, balanced length to his foreface. He did not disappoint and came alive on the move powering around the ring, looking like he could easily do a days work.

3rd – Richardson’s Bluesprings Now I’m Here at Forestfire – another smashing dog – the first three will have some great battles in the future!

Post Graduate (12, 2a)

1st – Tapper and Leyland’s Lynwood Heypresto Kedalita – Here was a dog on top form today, in full bloom, shown in really great condition, as fit as a fiddle. He is totally unexaggerated and absolutely sound and so very balanced. Refined, masculine head, really correct through his neck and shoulders with a great forechest. Lovely spring of ribs and muscular loin with well constructed, strong, straight hind quarters. He moved with absolute ease maintaining his topline and tail set. Today he pushed very hard in the final line up and was in full consideration for top honours. He was handled to great advantage with no fuss and his personality was allowed to shine.

2nd – Hemmings’ Orlanset A New Flame – This dog has a really elegant outline, he is another eye catcher with a flowing and striking outline. There is nothing fussy or over done about him in any way, balanced and moderate throughout. Correct fore and aft angulation, correct sweep of stifle and short, straight hocks. He moved extremely well and maintained his topline and refinement, flowing around the ring with great drive and a lashing tail.

3rd – Gratton and Bott’s – Bardonhill Don’t Stop Me Now

Mid-Limit (10, 3a)

1st – Willis’ Gwendariff The Grand Master at Jackwilins – On the first look round this boy caught my eye, he really is a ‘head turner’ with his elegant outline and rich, dark chestnut coat. I was so pleased he did not disappoint on closer inspection, he has a great depth of quality throughout, correct angulation fore and aft, well sprung ribs and a correct length of loin. His topline flows, gently sloping into his strong hind quarters. He really excels in movement, driving around the ring with real purpose. His head is balanced with a lovely dark eye. Presented in absolutely perfect condition.

2nd – Danks-Kemish’s Teleri Summertime Blues Avec Alolfrana JW – A smaller dog than 1 and not carrying as much condition but his classic outline really appealed to me. He has such a wonderfully balanced, lean head with a correct foreface and muzzle, chiselled expression and raised brow with low set ears. He is moderate throughout, excels in topline, is clean through his shoulders and is very correct through his croup. He moved around the ring maintaining his flowing lines. I would be really interested to see him again in a few months when he is back on top form.

3rd – Pym, Bott and Milligan-Bott’s Thendara Marshmallow

Limit (10, 2a)

1st – Russell’s Lynwood Hocus Pocus at Settesoli JW – A dog I have done well in the past and he had a real battle on his hands today, he had to be in top form to win this hotly contested class and then in the final line up had to keep this up to be in contention for top honours against some stunning dogs. He is so sound and correct when you see him in profile. Wonderfully balanced, I liked his body proportions and length of loin which allow him to flow in his topline. He is a very mature male but is also elegant and refined. He has a classic head, gentle and kind expression with the correct eye shape. He has a slightly arched, moderate neck, well laid back shoulders and a lovely depth to his chest. He has a great sweep of stifle and strong hocks which he uses so well on the move. I like that he is a bit naughty and makes his handler work hard, he has character and the perfect temperament for an Irish boy! Pleased to award him the RCC today.

2nd – Lorrimer’s Kerrimere Classique – A really handsome dog, I was very impressed by him. He has a wonderful clean outline and is very eye catching. He is racy and proportionate with great balance. He has a very classic head, masculine, with a lovely expressive raised brow and the desired chiselling around the eyes, he watches your every move with a twinkle in his eye. He stands over the ground well, his topline has a gentle slope, he really flows and is very good over the croup. His rich dark chestnut, straight coat sets him off perfectly. I loved his temperament wagging his tail every time I looked at him. He moves with such soundness, he could run all day. Handled to perfection.

3rd – Roffy’s Gwendariff Lucy’s Legacy

Open (9, 3a)

1st – Edward’s Sh Ch Gwendariff UCan’tMissme Bonhomie – a hotly contested class full of worthy top award winners. I had to judge the dogs on the day, and today his dog really was on top form in all aspects and this gave him the edge. Wonderfully moderate and balanced dog who has both soundness and quality throughout. Handsome in head, dark eye and perfect length of foreface. Correct, moderate length to his neck, with laid back shoulders and plenty of fore chest. A good depth to his chest and spring to his ribs, extremely well muscled hind quarters with correct bend to his stifle. He excels on the move, driving from the rear, maintaining his shape with his tailset carried correctly, just below the level to his topline with a lovely happy wagging tail. His presentation was spot on, his dark coat shining, not a hair out of place.

2nd – Stockton’s Sh Ch Riverbrue Alchemist admist Kepas JW – I was, as they say, splitting hairs between the places in this class and today this boy had to give way to a dog in top condition. My notes describe this dog as ‘sound in every department, stylish and refined with a personality to die for’. He is a great example of the term ‘racy’ in the breed standard, he is all male but has a great elegance about him. Another with an outstanding outline, he just flows with no stuffiness. Absolutely lovable expression, full of kindness which is matched by adorable personality which just shines through. He just loves life, which you can see when he is on the move, so free and easy to watch, tail wagging, head held high.

3rd – Danks-Kemish’s Sh Ch Alolfrana Hotter Than U’Know JW