Hunt, Point & Retrieve Gundog Association

In nearly 30 years of judging I have been privileged to have been afforded some super and memorable appointments. Today must rate among one of those that I most enjoyed.

I extend firstly my thanks to the Officers and Committee for their invitation, secondly my wonderful stewards on the day, thirdly the other judges for sending me a veritable feast of quality from which to pick my top winners and finally to all those that entered and the sporting way in which my placings were received. It really was a super day.

AV Import Register

J (6,2)

1st Clayton-Smith: S’willa Des Hauts De Rouillac At Cairparavel. Braque D’auvergne. Well balanced all through. Head of good length with oval shaped skull. Long neck leading to well laid shoulders with elbows close to the body. Good depth and breadth of chest. Height to length ratio correct. Well ribbed back. Well turned stifles of good length. Short, straight rear pasterns. Excellent bone and feet. Moved the best in the class.

2nd Moore: Achouffle Summer Magic At Cavalmist. Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer. Good overall balance. Head of rectangular profile and good length. Clean neck leading to well laid shoulders. Would like a little more length of upper arm. Sufficient depth of chest and well ribbed back. Front pasterns a little slack. Good coat texture. Moved well.

3rd Sumner: Hundr’s Freya’s Love

O (9,2)

1st Adams: Achouffle Philanderer ShCex. Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer. Stunning dog from any angle. I judged him a year ago and felt that his best was yet to come - I was not wrong - and I think he still has some more in the locker! He is beautifully balanced all through and has a distinguished air about him. His head is rectangular in profile with the skull and muzzle of equal length. Neck of good length leading cleanly into well laid shoulders and corresponding return of upper arm. Good depth of chest and length of ribcage. Strong topline. Moderate tuck-up. His hindquarters are text book - extremely well muscled with good width of second thigh. Well set hocks with parallel rear pasterns. Excellent bone and feet. Coat of good texture. Moved well in the small ring to win a very strong class and BOB and then in the challenge for BIS really motored around the ring. No doubt he could cross a grouse moor with ease. A lovely dog and a real treat to judge him once again. BOB and RBIS.  

2nd Taylor: Port Ch Pointoak Thief Of Hearts. Portuguese Pointer. I hate the phrase “unlucky to meet winner” but in this case it was applicable and she pushed the winner to the wire and I liked her very much indeed. Well balanced all through with outline that is just off square. Head correctly proportioned with skull/muzzle 3/2. Well filled cheeks and definite stop. Nicely rounded back skull with high set ears. Neck very slightly arched leading to well laid shoulder with equal length and return of upper arm. Well boned forelegs with slightly sloping pasterns. Short in back with well sprung ribcage. Maybe could have a fraction more tuck up. Excels in hindquarters with well turned stifles and hocks set square to the ground. Moved well on a good stride. Lovely to go over and truly fit for purpose. A very close call and on another day could change places.  

3rd Sladden: Khyannes Villette At Canemamans (imp Hun) Braque D’Auvergne

Active K9 Field Trial Stakes (6,3)

1st King: Madagascar Madge Via Valkaiser (HWHV). Well balanced all through. Head of good length and breadth with her skull slightly longer than her muzzle. Moderate length of neck leading to well laid shoulder. I would like a little more length to her body. Good depth of chest with elbows close to the body. Correctly rounded croup. Well made hindquarters with good width of second thigh. Parallel rear pasterns. Excellent bone and the best of feet. Coat of good texture. Moved well both fore and aft and in profile.  

2nd Nixon: Quintana Cloud Berry (GSP). Well made all through and very sound. Slightly longer cast than would be my preference. Head of good length and breadth. High set ears. Neck clean and of good length. Well laid shoulder and corresponding return of upper arm. Chest of good depth and width. Well boned forelegs. Strong hindquarters. Long from hip to hock with well muscled second thigh. Excellent coat texture. Moved soundly and with purpose.  

3rd Evans: Tarkanya Hippis Hibiscis. (Large Munsterlander)

Special Working Stakes (2,1)

1st Quintana Cloud Berry: 2nd in FT Class

Best In Show

A full complement of 10 Best of Breed winners were present. Such was the evenness between that I shortlisted four for further consideration - the GSP, Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer, Large Munsterlander and Hungarian Wire Haired Vizsla.  

BIS: Dymond’s Sh Ch Quintana Diamond Dust At Friarsbelle JW (GSP). Super dog. He is well balanced all through, short backed and standing over a lot of ground but not exaggerated in any way. His head is clean cut and of good length and breadth. Ears high set. Clean neck leading to well laid shoulders and corresponding length and return of upper arm. Chest of good depth with elbows close to the brisket. Short in back. Well ribbed showing moderate tuck up. Well muscled hindquarters. Excellent bone and the best of feet. Coat of good texture. On the move he was parallel fore and aft and demonstrated and excellent open side gait when viewed in profile. He just gobbled up the ground. The more I asked the more he gave.

RBIS: Achouffle Philanderer ShCEX (SRHP)

Best Puppy In Show

Another very quality line up and again I shortlisted four for further consideration. The Brittany, GSP, HWHV and Italian Spinone. It was incredibly close between the top 4.

BPIS: Poole’s Bonapartist Temptress At Laurremar (Brittany). I don’t know about temptress but I was tempted to steal her! Super puppy. She is square and cobby in appearance. Her head is correctly proportioned in that the skull is greater in length that the muzzle with a moderate stop. High set ears. Neck of moderate length. Correct forehand construction with elbows set close to her body. Chest of good depth. Length of leg slightly longer than distance from wither to elbow. Short in back with well rounded ribcage and short loin. Moderately bent stifles with second thigh well defined. On the move she is brisk and held her outline at all times.  

RBPIS. Pearson’s Winterwell Lulu Moppet To Ladyhawke (GSP). Another puppy straight out of the top draw. Well balanced throughout. Correct breed outline - short backed standing over a lot of ground. Clean head of good length. Good length of neck. Excellent forehand construction with correct depth of brisket. Could have a little more slope in pasterns. Well ribbed back. Hindquarters of good strength and shape. Excellent bone and feet. Moved well both fore and aft and good length of stride when viewed in profile. Good coat texture. Handled and shown to advantage.