English Setter Association

ENGLISH SETTER ASSOCIATION Championship Show - 17th April 2022

ENGLISH SETTER - DOGS

It was an honour to be asked to judge at the national breed club championship show for a 2nd time, having previously judged bitches in 2008. I would like to thank the Officers and Committee of the ESA for their hospitality and the Exhibitors for entering their dogs for me to go over. As I no longer actively show, it was a pleasure to be able to go over a group of English Setters, none of which I had previously seen, so I was able to put a fresh pair of eyes on them. In my judging, I sought dogs which were balanced in angulation and able to demonstrate the use of that structure in their movement. All of my top winners were able to demonstrate such attributes.

PUPPY DOG (4)

1. Taylor’s WANSLEYDALE MAYBEE
11mths dark b/b, elegant head with dark eye and good stop, clean neck set on to good lay of shoulder, level topline flowing into good tailset, well-angulated in quarters, strong bone, tight feet, presented an impressive outline in profile and was a clear winner of the class. Should be destined for a bright future. Best Puppy in Show.

2. Bennett & Fisher’s QUENSHA MAN IN THE MIRROR
11mths o/b, well-developed in head for a youngster with good balance of skull and foreface, distinct occiput, strong bone, well-set tail, straight front, not as well-angulated and not as steady on the move as the winner.

3. Horne’s PEWTERSPEARE PORTER

JUNIOR DOG (7)

1. Simpson’s DALREAVOCH RIP VAN WINKLE
16mths b/b, elegant head with balanced skull & foreface, good stop, long neck set on well-placed shoulders, level topline, well-bent stifle, still needs to drop a bit in chest but it should come with maturity, moved steady and true but a pity he was a bit too proud of his flag.

2. Williams’ RICHECCA MIDWINTER
15mths tri, slightly smaller in overall proportions than winner but still presenting an outline in balance, long neck, good stop, well-turned stifle, level topline, arched feet, not as steady on the move as the winner and not as clean in throat as I would like.

3. Tucker’s MARIGLEN NIGHTWISH FOR WALSHAW

YEARLING DOG (3)

1. Tucker’s MARIGLEN NIGHTWISH FOR WALSHAW
16mths b/b, previously 3rd in Junior, masculine well-proportioned head, good depth of muzzle, dark eye, clean in throat, strong bone, short pasterns with tight feet, not quite as good in angulation as 2nd, but was able to demonstrate a steadier movement.

2. Wilkinson’s PHENSET FIRESTORM
23mths o/b, more mature than winner with balanced angulation fore and aft, level topline, masculine head with dark eye, would prefer a cleaner throat, moved straight and true, but had a tendency to carry his tail.

MAIDEN DOG (3)

1. Taylor’s WANSLEYDALE MAYBEE
As previous

2. Stewart & Quenby’s TATTERSETT GOLDEN SUNRISE
13mths o/b, also in Junior class, pleasing head with good stop and occiput, dark eye, clean neck set on well-laid shoulders, level topline, good turn of stifle, moved steadily but not with the driving action of winner.

3. Whiting & Grant’s TATTERSETT MANY CLOUDS AT ORMSTIGA

NOVICE DOG (3)

1. Taylor’s WANSLEYDALE MAYBEE
As previous.

2. Stewart & Quenby’s TATTERSETT GOLDEN SUNRISE
As previous.

3. Whiting & Grant’s TATTERSETT MANY CLOUDS AT ORMSTIGA

GRADUATE DOG (8)

1. Hepburn’s TATTERSETT RAINBOW LEGACY
2yrs o/b, balanced in outline, well-proportioned head, clean neck set on good lay of shoulder, deep in brisket with well-sprung ribcage, straight front, proportioned front and rear angulation, good bone, well-set tail, moved true.

2. Wood’s JULDEANE PRIME SUSPECT
2yrs o/b, plenty of work in head with deep muzzle, good stop and dark eye, good length of neck and angulation fore & aft all well-proportioned, moved true & steady.

3. Catton & Cook’s VALSETT STARLITE SKY STORM WITH FERNGATE

POSTGRADUATE DOG (10)

1. Watts’ WALSHAW BRUSHSTROKES
2yrs dark tri, caught my eye as soon as he entered the ring and not disappointed after going over him. Gives a good impression of balance when viewed in profile with clean, long neck set on correct lay of shoulder, angulation in forequarters and hindquarters giving the overall picture of a well-proportioned dog, well-sprung ribcage although he still needs to drop a bit in chest, head in good proportions of skull & muzzle, moved true and with plenty of drive from hocks. A strong contender in the challenge and one to watch for the future.

2. Wilson’s RAVENSETT GIOVANNI
3yrs o/b, clean head and well-proportioned skull and muzzle, clean neck although I would prefer more lay on shoulder, deep chest, good bend of stifle, moved true with good driving action from hindquarters.

3. Vallance’s ROWANMYLE WAS A SKELLUM

LIMIT DOG (12)

1. Taylor & Atyeo’s SAMELEN COME BACK SPECIAL
4yrs b/b, presented a balanced profile when standing, in good coat, lovely head and expression, balanced in skull & foreface, dark eye, clean throat, strong neck flowing into level topline, deep in brisket, good spring of rib, strong bone, short pasterns, moved with plenty of drive from hindquarters using hocks to advantage.

2. Simpson’s DAVREAVOCH NORTHERN LEGEND
4yrs light b/b, well-proportioned head, long neck set on well-placed shoulders, balanced angulation in forequarters and hindquarters, from head to tail he presented a clean outline, moved true with plenty of drive.

3. Normansell’s LATIN LOVER REWIND FOR LARRENIE (Imp)

OPEN DOG (8)

1. Phillips, Bryant & Watkins’ SH.CH. GLENMAURANGI STAR MAN
JW 4yrs tri, mature appearance and in full coat, masculine head with good depth of muzzle, dark eye, clean topline from occiput to tail, deep in brisket and good spring of rib, strong muscular neck with clean throat, strong bone, short in hocks, arched feet, wellmuscled, free-flowing movement with plenty of drive from his hocks, CC.

2. Danks-Kemish’s SH.CH. RAVENSETT WORK OF ART AT ALOLFRANA JW
4yrs o/b, elegant head which has good balance of skull and foreface, dark eye, long neck flowing through level topline to the tip of his tail, good hind & fore angulation, created a very pleasing outline in profile, arched feet, powerful movement with effortless flow. Close decision between 1st & 2nd. Res.CC.

3. Coles’ SORBUS STORM RYDER JW

SPECIAL BEGINNERS DOG (5)

1. Szal’s SHARNYX RIVER FLOW
3yrs tri, well-balanced skull & foreface, dark eye, good length of neck but would prefer more angulation in quarters, deep in chest with good spring, level topline, well-coated.

KEITH SMITH (Judge)