South Wales Kennel Association

South Wales Kennel Association

14th October 2023

Irish Setters

Thank you to the SWKA Committee for the invitation to judge and a huge thank you to my stewards Hefin and Rhiannan for their help and kindness on the day. What a privilege to have so many top-quality dogs and bitches for consideration and in many classes every exhibit was a lovely example of the breed, which made for some very difficult decisions. I was very impressed with the younger classes, how exciting to have so many up and coming dogs and bitches who were full of quality and I feel many of them will go far.

Veteran Dog

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1ST Strathmead Huckleberry of Settesoli (Mrs J P Russell) – This boy was on top form today, I think this is the best I have ever seen him look, presented in fit muscular condition, and groomed to perfection. He has great overall balance, he holds himself very well when stood demonstrating a flowing, gently sloping topline. Soft, kind and gentle expression with dark eyes and a raised brow. He has strength in his well angulated rear quarters and when he moves he really drives from his short, straight hocks (which can make him a bit of a handful to hold onto!). BVD

2nd - Dairis Emperor Excellence (Ms D Gyedu) – Another mature male with a noble head and such kindness in his eyes, with long, low set ears. Deep chested and well boned with a dark chestnut, straight coat. Moved steadily maintaining his topline.

 Minor Puppy Dog

Entries: 6 Absentees: 1

What an exciting class, I expect the first three will have some great competitions between them in the future, they all have great promise and potential. It was lovely to see gentle, caring handling of these puppies, all being allowed to enjoy their day and show off their personalities.

1st - Copper’s Get Off My Cloud NAF TAF (Mrs S E Edwards) – What a little charmer, totally fell for him, such a stylish young lad. Refined but masculine in head with dark eyes and that wonderful cheeky look of a 6 months old puppy having great fun. He is already very balanced and elegant throughout with moderate length of neck, well laid back shoulders and flowing topline, he is correct over the croup and as he is so well made he moved with great precision with his head held high and a lashing tail. To top it all off he has such a dark chestnut coat that was gleaming. Pleased to award him BPD and then a well deserved BPIB. He did the breed proud being shortlisted in the Puppy Group, a proper little show off.

 2nd - Alolfrana All I Ask (Mrs R D & Mr A E Danks Kemish & Swannell) – Another well schooled puppy who was full of quality. Handsome, long and lean head with refined muzzle and lovely chiselling to his brow. Fabulous length of neck and depth of chest, he is ribbed well back and muscular in the loin. He has plenty of bone and neat, tight feet, slightly longer cast than 1 but he is moderate and totally balanced for one so young and he moved very well, straight and true with an even stride.

 3rd - Bardonhill Mcintosh Red at Montgreenan (Mr J, Mrs L & Miss L H Richardson) – Have to give this boy a mention, he gave his handler such a hard time but another top quality lad with all the attributes to go far.

Puppy Dog

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1ST 3271 - Kerryfair Misty Morning TAF (Miss E & Mrs C Flinders & Robinson Slater) – 10 month old boy who has the most exquisite head and expression, lovely to see a correct shaped, dark eye and raised brows and refined head. He is moderate throughout, another elegant puppy with no coarseness or heaviness. Well angulated front quarters and good forechest, he still has lots of maturing to do but that is how it should be. He really impresses on the move, striding out well around the large ring. As he continues to mature he would benefit with his neck being groomed to be slightly tidier which will highlight his clean lines.

Junior Dog

Entries: 6 Absentees: 0

What a class – how lovely to have so many young dogs to choose from, I thought them all full of great potential.

1st - Riverbrue Ophelia Winky JW (Mr B A & Miss C Crocker & Lewis) – He really had to work hard to win this class today, but he bought the ‘razzle dazzle’ and just had the edge over some top class competition. Full of quality, my eye was constantly drawn to his clean lines and flowing topline, he demanded attention. He is all male without being too course or heavy, he has excellent bone and depth of chest, well sprung ribs, muscular loin and wide and powerful hind quarters and well bent stifles that he uses to great advantage on the move. He is hard to ignore and the look in his eyes says he knows it! Presented in gleaming condition.

2nd - Quensha Remember The Name (Miss A & Miss R Levene & Lewis) – This boy has an ‘old fashioned’ and understated elegance throughout, moderate but remains masculine and absolutely full of quality. While not being quite as forward in maturity as 1 today he gave him a very good run for his money. His head is stunning and so correct, dark, unshelled almond eyes, low set ears, long and lean foreface with good depth of muzzle, I thought his expression was very special. He is well ribbed, deep chested and has superb shoulder angulation. His movement was free flowing with a true action.

3rd - Copper’s Midsummer Night’s Dream (Imp Swe) (Mrs B & Mrs L Berry & Morris)

Irish Setter - Yearling Dog

Entries: 6 Absentees: 3

1st - Quensha Remember The Name (Miss A & Miss R Levene & Lewis) – 2nd in Junior, he moved out really well in this class to take this win

 2nd - Bardonhill A Million Ways to Delsanto (Mrs C A Sheldon) – Extremely handsome young dog, another who manages to be masculine without any coarseness or heaviness, he has such refined lines and presents a lovely outline when stood. He flows through his slightly arched, muscular neck, through his well laid back shoulders and along his firm topline, right to the tip of his tail. Gentle and intelligent expression, I get the feeling he is a real softy as he had such calmess and kindness to his dark eyes and expressive, raised brows. He moved with drive and precision. He is just coming into full bloom.

 3rd - Loganrish Out On The Town (Mr R Green)

Graduate Dog

Entries: 6 Absentees: 1

Five dogs in this class of very different types.

1st - Brinara Country Boy (Mrs B, Mrs L & Mrs L Berry, Morris & Fitzmaurice) – A new dog to me, I was very taken with him and interested to look how he was bred at the end of the day. He is extremely appealing when stood, nicely balanced and full of breed type. Handsome head, muscular neck and topline with a good spring of ribs and length of loin. He has very correct fore and aft angulation, a lovely sweep of stifle and short hocks. He moved with drive and animation. His overall moderation won him this class.

2nd - Swiftlark Invincible JW (Mrs S S Corless) – A larger framed dog than 1, he is all male with excellent bone and depth throughout. He has a great fore chest and lay back of shoulder, well ribbed and has muscular strong hind limbs. He has great strength and drive to his movement and hold his topline well as he strides out. Dark chestnut coat, he was turned out in fine condition. He was a bit of a fidget today, typical boy!

 3rd - Redclyst The Celt (Mr D G & Mrs P A Pike)

Post Graduate Dog

Entries: 7 Absentees: 0

Three smashing dogs headed this class, I would have been happy to take any of them home

1st - Jetsetter Wind of Dreams (Imp Rus) (M Beresford) – A top class dog who was great condition today, he has matured so well since I last judged him as a youngster and it is so satisfying to see him approaching his full potential. I was also pleased he was on his best behaviour today, he did not put a foot wrong. His overall outline is really eye catching, he excels in topline, it is firm and straight with the desired gentle slope from the withers. He has straight forelegs and tight elbows with ribs that are well sprung and a muscular loin. His hind quarters have a lovely sweep of stifle, he is long and muscular from hip to hock. He was shown in fine condition, his coat gleamed and he is as fit as a fiddle. He moved around the ring with style and drive. He was in full consideration in the top class final line up.

 2nd - Orlanset Mandolin (Mr D & Mrs W Hemmings & Holehan-Green) – Another exciting dog with the most handsome of heads and refined, striking outline, he moderate, proportionate and he is very hard to ignore. His topline is so clean from the tip of his nose to the end of his tail, it just flows and he needs absolutely no fussing or adjusting from his owner when stood to look correct. His front angulation is excellent, great in shoulder and upper arm and his hind angulation is just as good with strong short hocks. While he is not heavily coated and I think this actually compliments his clean lines. He maintains his flowing topline on the move and it was an extremely close decision between him and 1 today.

 3rd - Harreds Lachlan at Stylersetts (Mr K & Mrs L R Macaulay) – another special boy, full of breed type, just needs a little more time to be at his best.

Limit Dog

Entries: 6 Absentees: 2

The quality just kept coming – another terrific class.

1st - Riverbrue Soldier On (Miss D K Brown) – This is a dog that I thought very highly of when I last judged and I was so pleased to see him here today in the most amazing form. An Irish Setter should be well balanced, moderate and proportionate and in no way extreme or overdone, and this dog fits this description perfectly. His head is masculine and balanced with a lovely depth to his muzzle, dark, unshelled almond eyes that sit under the most expressive of brows, his ears are set on low and his neck is muscular and moderate. Where he really excels is in his forechest, shoulder, upper arm and depth of chest, he is very well ribbed and they are carried back into a muscular loin. He has strong bone and neat tight feet. Muscular hind quarters and well bent stifles and short, straight hocks complete the picture. His construction is so correct he never once looks unbalanced and he uses his attributes to advantage on the move, straight and true with a precise driving action. He was handled to perfection, calm with no fussing or faffing, he just does not need it. I did not hesitate to award him the DCC (his second) and then BOB which he won against some top class and top winning competition.

 2nd - Orlanset A New Flame (Mr D & Mrs K M Hemmings) – Another racy and refined dog who is also moderate throughout, a boy with such quality about him. He has a soft, but handsome expression and an overall elegance to his stature that really compliments this. Moderate, muscular neck that flows into his strong topline, deep chest and well sprung ribs. He has a lovely sweep of stifle and short hocks, he is just so sound throughout. He is superb on the move with a real driving action and he is also very fleet of foot covering the ground well with absolute ease while carrying his tail level and maintaining great carriage of his topline. I was very impressed and seriously considered him for the RCC.

 3rd - Riverbrue Wonderwall at Hernwood (Mr B A & Miss C Crocker & Lewis)

Open Dog

Entries: 5 Absentees: 0

1st - Sh Ch Riverbrue Alchemist Amidst Kespas JW (Mr K & Mrs P Stockton) – The last time I judged I placed 1 and 2 in this class the other way around – but with such a high quality entry it is important to judge the dogs on the day and today was this boys day. A top winning dog and the most dearest and very special of boys, he was in such fantastic condition, still in his prime. He coveys’ raciness and breed type throughout, as soon as you look at him his tail wags with joy, a proper Irish temperament. His head is just scrumptious, so kind and gentle but also maintains masculinity, with a dark eye and raised brow. He has great forechest and layback of shoulder, a gently sloping topline, strong and straight front and well assembled hind quarters. He moves round the ring effortlessly in great harmony with his handler, what a team they make, they clearly adore each other. RCC – just narrowly beatento top honours by his younger nephew.

 2nd - Sh Ch Gwendariff Ucan'tmissme Bonhomie (Mrs S E Edwards) – Another special boy with a fabulous ring presence, again he exudes breed type and he has such a striking outline, I felt so lucky to have this depth of quality to choose from. When you first cast your eye around the ring you notice his stunning outline, with the required firm and straight topline that gently slopes from the withers. Another dog that needs no intervention or fuss from is handler, what you see is just how he is, elegant, so sound, moderate and a racy boy with great self-carriage. He is just so good through his fore and aft angulation and he maintains his outline and topline on the move showing great balance and drive. Today 1 just had the edge on coat quality and condition.

 3rd - Sh Ch Lynwood Hocus Pocus at Settesoli JW (Mrs J P Russell)

Good Citizen Dog Scheme Dog

Entries: 3 Absentees: 0

1st - Brinara Country Boy (Mrs B, Mrs L & Mrs L Berry, Morris & Fitzmaurice) – Repeat of Graduate.

 Veteran Bitch

Entries: 4 Absentees: 1

1st - Gwendariff Lily The Pink (Miss L Bougen) – I was overjoyed to have the opportunity to judge this great girl today, one I have watched develop from a young age and I was not disappointed. She is just so sound and as fit as a fiddle, nothing over the top, just a very classy lady. For me she is a classic type, strong in bone and has a great depth throughout, but looks racy and refined, I could see her efficiently working all day. She has the most refined of heads with a knowing expression and fabulous foreface. Presented in hard condition and when you see her on the move you just know her conformation is correct, neat, precise with forward reach and drive powering along on muscular hind quarters. She was very close up to top honours. Please to award her BVB and Best Veteran in Breed. What a shame there was no Veteran Group – I would have loved to have seen her power around that big ring.

2nd - Rappatty Star Light over Alolfrana JW ShCM (Miss O P Danks-Kemish) – this is another elegant bitch who just lost out on condition on the day, but I notice her puppies were in the MP classes today so she was looking fabulous taking this into consideration. While not in her best coat what she had was rich chestnut and super shiny. She has a good depth of muzzle, ears are set on low with an arched, muscular neck. A great depth of chest and well sprung ribs giving good heart room. She moved with energy and happiness, a wagging tail and a straight, driving action. Another with a great bond with her owner/handler.

 3rd - Alolfrana in A Hot Storm over Wenflaen (Mr A P & Mrs S A Jones)

Minor Puppy Bitch

Entries: 4 Absentees: 1

1st - Alolfrana Bring The Drama (Miss O & Mrs S Danks-Kemish & Littlechild) – such a pretty and very promising young lady and at 6 months old she was such a good girl. She has a lovely kind, dark eye, low set ears and elegant length of neck. She is very strong in topline for one so young has a lovely length of loin and is correct over the croup. Her hind quarters were straight and strong, with a good sweep of stifle. A lovely dark chestnut shining straight coat. She really moved like a little star, confident, true and correct with head held high, what a little star. She is very much like her Dam who was 2nd in Veteran. Handled extremely well, I think this puppy and her owner/handler have a bright future together.

 2nd - Alolfrana Whole Lotta Love with Redeshka (Mrs R A Webb) – Another pretty girl with a long lean head and pretty expression. She has a racy outline and is very strong on fore and aft angulation. Straight front, with tight elbows and gently sloping topline. She also oved very well taking everything in her stride. Sister to 1 and they are like two peas in a pod, with 1 just having a little bit more ring presence on the day.

3rd - Cataluna Mad About You in Finity (Miss K Mason)

Puppy Bitch

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1st -

Junior Bitch

Entries: 7 Absentees: 0

Wow – what a class.

1st - Riverbrue Ophelia Bongos at Henaleas (Mrs J A & Mr P J Humphreys) – This young lady was hard to ignore today, an absolute little pocket rocket, full of breed type, personality and totally balanced. She has such sound construction, slightly arched neck, correct lay of shoulder and she is well ribbed and they are carried well back. She has such a presence about her when viewed in profile, the cheeky look in her dark eyes dares you to not admire her elegant, smooth lines with no break at all in topline from her head to her tail. She has straight, well angulated quarters and is well muscled throughout with a gleaming, straight chestnut coat. When moving she motors around the ring maintaining her topline with great extension in her stride and drive from her strong hocks never once not wagging her tail. In the final line up of top winning bitches she just kept catching my eye and I when I moved her again I just knew she was going to be my RCC winner. What an exciting future she has.

 2nd - Riverbrue Ophelia Love Glennara JW (Mrs K A Hall) – litter sister to 1 and it was really very close between them today. This girl is another that makes such a great initial impression when you first set eyes on her, she has the most gorgeous head, dark, almond eyes, soft and expressive brows and lovely chiselling with low set on ears. Her outline is elegant but full of substance, lovely front angulation, spring of rib and muscular loin. She has a balanced length of leg and is very correct over the croup and tail set. Another that moved like a dream, so sound and true, powering from her well angulated hind quarters. She has a typical Irish attitude, a little show off and was a proper fidget today – just how I like them! I will look forward to following her progress.

 3rd - Quensha Joker and The Queen (Mr P, Mr G T & Mrs A Bott, Allen & Morgan)

Yearling Bitch

Entries: 9 Absentees: 4

1st - Lynwood Rather Scrumptious JW (Mr R C & Mrs J P Mugford) – such a top class and attractive bitch, she stood out in a lovely class. Very mature, immaculately presented, she has a lovely depth of quality and substance about her with good bone and well-developed muscle. A gentle and kind expression with correct strength to her muzzle and low set ears. She has an excellent arch and set of neck and shoulder with a good spring of rib and muscular loin with a flowing topline and correct tail set. A great bend of stifle and short hocks with excellent, well padded feet she moved so soundly with drive while maintaining her shape and topline. I was very impressed by her and she is another one that I will watch for in the future as she is still young and I feel she has lots more winning to come.

 2nd - Penclippin Celtic Asthore (Mrs H G Bentley) – This young girl was 4th in the quality Junior class and well deserved her placing here against some older bitches. She is a lovely rich, dark chestnut coated bitch who has moderation throughout, nothing is excessive. She is a good size, very well constructed with a lovely lay back of shoulder and well sprung ribcage. Where she excels is on the move, active and correct with a happy tail, she is ready to run all day and she was hard to ignore because of this.

 3rd - Alolfrana Queen of Hearts at Bryntwrw (Mrs N W & Mr J K Hughes)

Graduate Bitch

Entries: 7 Absentees: 4

1st - Harreds Lillie (Mr P J Hall) – a bitch with such classic lines that I would expect from this Kennel, she is full of breed type, a lovely example of a refined and moderate Irish Setter with no exaggeration. Her head is simply beautiful, long and lean and parallel with her brows showing the stop and a kind expressive, with a hint of mischief. She has great bone and well-padded tight feet. Arched neck and deep shoulders, lovely straight front and tight elbows. She is extremely feminine with great depth and substance to her chest and body with a firm topline. Strong, wide hind quarters and straight hocks and well bent stifles. She flowed around the ring with reach and drive, maintaining her carriage with a lovely attitude and lashing tail. Another one with a bright future.

 2nd - Swiftlark Illustrious JW (Mrs S S Corless) – this bitch has so much to admire about her, slightly stronger bitch overall than 1 but she has great breed type and was in full bloom today. She has an attractive head with lovely raised brows and dark, correct shaped eyes that give her the dearest of expressions. An excellent forechest and good depth and balance to her body proportions. She has quality bone and was very well muscled. Strong, wide hindquarters with superb sweep and bend of stifle and short, straight hocks and the best of feet. She moved very soundly with a lovely reach and drive. Her coat was dark with the correct texture and with ample feathering.

 3rd - Wenflaen Deja Vu (Mr A P & Mrs S A Jones)

Post Graduate Bitch

Entries: 4 Absentees: 0

1st - Glennara Cherry Cola JW (Mrs K A Hall) – what a super lady this bitch is, full of breed type and quality. She has such expressive eyes, dark and unshelled almond shaped, full of expression which is highlighted further by her quizzical brow and lovely low set ears. She is very correct in her front assembly, moderate, arched neck which flows into her well laid-back shoulders, straight front with tight elbows and correct upper arm. She is very good through the loin which is slightly arched and well muscled. There is great strength to her hind quarters which have wonderful angulation and she is correct through her croup and tail set. She moves very soundly with a spring in her step and to finish it off she has the shiniest, dark chestnut coat with good feathering and texture. She was is fabulous condition today and was in full consideration for top honours.

 2nd - Quensha Beautiful Stranger of Gracewood (Ms A & Ms S Douthwaite & Wharfe) – I have competed with this bitch many times over the past couple of years so I was pleased to get to see her properly and up close today. She is really maturing into the most elegant and refined of ladies, I was very taken by her and she was close behind 1 in a super class. The first thing you notice is how balanced her frame is, I liked her length of leg which complimented her body shape perfectly and when you combined this with her moderate, slightly arched neck, flowing topline and great depth of chest you just cannot ignore her. She moved with confidence and drive, she is very true moving behind, driving along on straight hocks. She has a pretty head and expression, today I just preferred the chiselling around the eyes of 1 but it was a tough choice between them both.

 3rd - Fernstart Hearts Delight JW (Miss R Box) – have to give this gorgeous girl a mention, she is just so pretty and full of breed type, quality bitch who was well handled today. I feel she will blossom in confidence very soon.

Limit Bitch

Entries: 5 Absentees: 1

The depth of quality in this class was amazing – would happily take them all home with me.

1st - Quensha Crimes of Passion (Mr P, Mr G T & Mrs A Bott, Allen & Morgan) – When you first look around the ring this bitch just stands out for her very clean, racy lines, everything just fits together perfectly, she is so balanced with every part of her construction in harmony with each element of her running smoothly into the next. For me she epitomised femininity, refinement, and moderation and this combined with fantastic confirmation and condition made her my winner of this top-quality class. Her head is so pretty with a raised brow creating her stop and wistful expression. Her front assembly is superb with great lay back of shoulder and forechest. She displays a wonderful example of the desired straight, gently sloping topline, she just flows. Her well angulated stifle, short hocks and muscular condition allows her to power around the ring with a straight and true, effortless action, she could run all day. In an amazing final line of bitches up the more saw of her the more I liked her and the more she impressed. I awarded her the CC which turned out to be her third and made her into a well deserved Show Champion. I think there is so much more to come for her.

2nd - Quensha Family Portrait for Teleri (Mrs P A M Catling) – this girl came to impress today as she was in cracking form and pushed hard for top honours. She has the most refined of heads, with a classic quality about her expression, long and lean with a knowing glint to her eye. Another bitch with great balance to her outline, slightly shorter coupled than 1, she creates a balanced picture when viewed in profile, her topline catches the eye, it flows without a break. She is super feminine and racy throughout with a rich dark chestnut coat that was in amazing condition with ample dark feathering. She whisked around the ring with her head high and tail carried level to her topline creating a pretty picture. Thought she was very special.

 3rd - Riverbrue Flashbax at Henaleas (Mrs J A & Mr P J Humphreys)

Open Bitch

Entries: 7 Absentees: 3

1st - Sh Ch Riverbrue Gloriana (Mr B A Crocker) – a well known and top winning bitch who was also the Dam of my Best of Breed winner. When you first cast your eye over her it is easy to see why is has been so successful, she is a classy lady, quality from the tip of her nose to the end of her tail. Her head is just exquisite, so feminine, soft and refined, long and lean and full of breed type with the gentlest of expressions, she just wants to love you and her gaze just draws you in. Her construction is totally sound, her outline creates a wonderful picture, smooth lines with a straight topline that gently flows from the shoulder. She has correct angulation fore and aft and great fore chest, excellent lay back of shoulder, there is plenty of dog in front of her front legs. While she is fit and well muscled she is also super feminine with no hint of coarseness or exaggeration. She was shown in top condition today, credit to her owner/handler/breeder as it takes time, love and care to keep a bitch looking this well. In full contention for top honours today, but just had to give way for two youngster bitches who were on sizzling form.

 2nd - Sh Ch Teleri Indian Summer (ai) JW (Mrs P A M Catling) – just my kind of bitch, and she was very close up to 1 today, she really was in sparkling form. She is a wonderful example of elegance and refinement and she combines this with a lovely overall breed type. Her head is feminine with no coarseness, lean with the correct unshelled almond eye shape and the darkest, kindest of eyes. When you get hands on you realise she is not just elegant but also has a great depth of quality about her, particularly in her strong bone, depth of chest and well spring ribs. She moved like a dream today, never once losing her lines and lashing her tail around the large ring. She put in a classy performance in this fabulous class full of beauties.

 3rd - Riverbrue Cloudburst over Strathmead (Mrs J & Miss H Frampton & Piggin)