West Of England Ladies Kennel Society

West of England Ladies Kennel Society (WELKS)

27th – 30th April 2023

Border Collies

Judge: Mrs Kathy Burnell (Fieldbank)

Dog Challenge Certificate - Rosehurst Royal Sunset (Mr E Broadhurst)

Reserve Dog Challenge Certificate - Thwaitlake Buzzman (Mr, Mrs & Miss Akester & Wiltshire)

Bitch Challenge Certificate - Sh Ch Fayken I Am Love JW (Mr R K & Miss J Green & Ratcliffe)

Reserve Bitch Challenge Certificate - Kinaway Dreams with Fire (ai) JW (Mr D & Mrs K A Kinton)

Best of Breed - Rosehurst Royal Sunset (Mr E Broadhurst)

Best Puppy - Hysteps My Irish Colleen (Ms S P & Miss K Austin & Zolakova)

Best Veteran - Tonkory Putting On The Style (Mrs J Gregory)

Thank you to everyone that contributed towards today’s 109 entries. It was a pleasure to handle the exhibits and assess their movement from inside the ring. A very enjoyable day assisted by my two efficient stewards Margaret Garland and Tessa Finch, thank you both.

All the exhibits showed sound temperaments and I had some lovely dogs and bitches to choose from. In the past have found the quality of bitches to be superior however on this occasion the competition from the dogs was stronger than I have seen for a while and seemed to be catching up with the bitches. The overall entry I found quite variable in both sexes and in some classes placed dogs of different type higher in the line-up having found them with better mouths and sounder construction. I do believe the show ring is a window for all types and glamour alone should not override soundness when comparing the dog to the breed standard.

Mouths, not including those with KC permission I found 4 level bites, 1 wry bite and 3 with missing teeth, and why are so many exhibits being presented with dirty teeth? Clearly a lot of time is spent on coat preparation and teeth seem to be forgotten about on many. Short tails are too prevalent and I was surprised to find some needing as much as 8-10 cm to reach their hock. This is a fault, often not as noticeable from outside the ring if the dog has good tail feathering. Construction in forequarters I found a little disappointing with a number of exhibits showing loose elbows which has a negative effect on movement. Hindquarters in general were better than fronts but movement overall was average with the typical side gait profile lacking with dogs holding back and short stepping because handlers were not giving their dogs the freedom or the ring space to show their true ability on the move. Round eyes, puffy cheeks and shortening of the foreface may look cute, but not what the standard asks for.

Having mentioned my observations today it was a close decision on the positioning’s in some classes and all my winners were worthy of their placings. Some will undoubtedly gain their titles in the not too distant future. Good luck to you all and thank you for your entry.

Veteran Dog - Entries: 3 Absentees: 0

1st Goytre Smokin Gun (Ms A Walters) a 12 year old carrying his years very well. Good bone and substance throughout and presented in firm condition which showed in his positive movement. An abundant coat for his age. Good head, expression and reach of neck, deep chest and well sprung ribs. Nice length of body and well angulated fore and aft. Lovely free movement which won him the class.

2nd Brytess Achilles (Miss S E M Barton) - Good head with a kind, gentle expression on this dog. At 7 years old he was of similar size and build as 1, also presented in very good coat and condition. Tail could have more length. On the move he was not quite as free and tireless as the winner.

3rd Kinaway Live the Dream (ai) (Mrs G M Walford)

Minor Puppy Dog - Entries: 2 Absentees: 1

1st Wizaland Time for Change at Ginnylands (Mrs G Charlesworth) 7 months, his first time out and giving a good account of himself, plenty of substance and every inch a boy. Masculine expression from his well-shaped eyes of good colour. Well laid shoulders and pleasing rear angulation. Moved soundly with steady positive action that will tighten up with age. Stood alone, still a worthy winner.

Puppy Dog - Entries: 3 Absentees: 1

1st Piece of Hapiness Mickey (Imp Hun) (Mr R Jaskolski) a neat compact dog of 10 months. Well balanced and of correct size and substance. Good head with correct stop and eye shape. Well angulated forequarters and enough definition through the rear. Croup, tail set and carriage good. Sound movement front and back with smooth action in side profile with a ground covering stride.

2nd Jupavia Divine Dream (Miss Castle) almost a year old. A rangier type of dog. Presented in nice condition. I found him a little long in body and his elbows could be tighter to give better action on the move.

Junior Dog - Entries: 4 Absentees: 1

1st Happenstance Chocolate Fondue (Imp USA) (Mrs D Kinsey) a 17month old red/white with a pleasing well chiselled head and correct eye colour. Enough angulation over the forequarters, well laid shoulders and firm topline. Gentle slope over the croup and well set tail and carriage. Nicely put together hindquarters with good bend of stifles. Would have liked to see a little more reach and drive on the move, nevertheless sound and steady.

2nd Shemella Moon River (Mr I J & Mrs M J Lewis) just out of puppy classes and not the maturity of the winner. Good bone and substance, ok head with correct eye shape and colour. Would prefer more shape and angulation in the rear construction. Movement improved the more he went round the ring.

3rd Arrodare Family Tradition (Miss C & Mr J Green & Paterson)

Yearling Dog - Entries: 3 Absentees: 0

1st Simmovon Shockwave at Tambuzi JW (Dr A & Mr P & Mrs Y Oliver & Simmons & Simmons) an attractive b/w of 23 months who caught my eye on entering the ring. A lovely head pattern with dark eyes and mobile ears. He has a very well-constructed front, good length of neck and correct balance. His rear end conformation does not disappoint. Movement was tireless, very sound and positive from all angles and he kept his firm level topline in side profile. Good type overall with moderate bone and well worthy of consideration for higher awards.

2nd Raesfell Cosmic Ice for Jakovall (Mrs M Jordan) an upstanding blue merle of almost 18 months. Not as typical as most of the exhibits. Very sound, a tad oversized in height and needs to fill out more which should come as he matures. Well angulated, well laid shoulders and pleasing shape to the hindquarters. Good tail length that he carried well. On the move a smooth outline with good reach, drive and minimum lift of feet. Coat not as profuse as some but left him with a smooth outline.

3rd Germal Moet Ice Imperial at Darkquest (Mrs D M Morgan)

Novice Dog - Entries: 4 Absentees: 0

1st Wizaland Time for Change at Ginnylands (Mrs G Charlesworth) Winner of Minor Puppy.

2nd Shemella Moon River (Mr I J & Mrs M J Lewis) Second in Junior.

3rd Calareto Rock On Tommy (Mr J & Mrs S T Preston)

Post Graduate Dog - Entries: 7 Absentees: 0

1st Pendleway Time Lord (Mrs J C Barratt) Won this class with ease. A dog of correct size showing the right amount of ground clearance. With a balanced body complemented by the correct length of coat I do like his type. A pleasing head with well-shaped, dark eyes and neat tapering muzzle. Good substance to his bone, level topline and a gentle slope over the croup. Well-constructed fore and hindquarters which I expected him to use with more positive extension and drive in both front and rear on the move.

2nd Tambuzi Stryke of Fate (Mrs H Murfet) a substantial dog of good size and bone. A pleasing picture standing with a well chiselled head and good expression. Good length of neck and well placed shoulders. On the move he was steady though unfortunately lost his top line, was a little close at the rear.

3rd Foxbarton Wayward Prince (Mrs S Price)

Limit Dog - Entries: 7 Absentees: 1

1st Thwaitlake Buzzman (Mr, Mrs & Miss Akester & Wiltshire) This dog is of obvious quality and it was a pleasure to go over him. An eye catching boy the moment he enters the ring. A strong boned dog towards the upper bound of my expectations. He has a chiselled head giving distinctive definition. His neck flows neatly into his well-placed shoulders, well angulated forequarters through to a firm level back. Very pleasing construction over the croup and down into his hindquarters. Firm over the hock and pasterns, good depth of chest. Movement is a joy to watch showing his excellent reach, drive and well held topline. Presented in tip top show condition I was pleased to award him the RCC today.

2nd Chikaramor Cast a Spell of Glenfound (Miss K & Mrs S Rettie & Morley) 5 year old black tri. A very handsome boy of good type carrying himself more upright than 1. Typical well sculpted head with correct eye shape, carrying well placed alert ears. Good length of neck flowing into his well laid shoulders. Clean lines over the whole body showing good angulation throughout with nice muscle. Good tail set, length and carriage. Lovely free flowing, typical movement and in super coat and condition.

3rd Arrodare an Emotion Away (Miss B & Miss J Lee & Ratcliffe)

Open Dog - Entries: 6 Absentees: 0

1st Place - Rosehurst Royal Sunset (Mr E Broadhurst) a beautiful balanced dog of excellent type with correct bone and substance. A masculine expression, correct stop, good proportions in skull and foreface, well set almond eyes giving a keen yet kind intelligent expression, ears well set and active. Presented in firm condition with an arched neck and good layback of shoulders, excellent front construction with firm gentle sloping pasterns. Correct length of body with well sprung ribs. Good slope over his croup, well set and furnished tail of excellent length. Coat preparation could have been smoother over the rear. Very well angled stifle and strong hocks. Very sound movement coming and going when his enthusiastic character settled. In side profile he showed excellent reach with those powerful well-muscled hindquarters which he used to drive himself smoothly around the ring with minimum lift and a firm topline. An impressive dog whose character shines through. I awarded him the CC and BOB today for his overall excellent type, his soundness, energy and alertness. A dog I could imagine working a flock of sheep. Well-handled. BOB.

2nd Arrodare True Legend (Miss B & Miss J Lee & Ratcliffe) - A dog of similar good type to the winner. At 3 years old he is was presented in full coat and good condition. Lovely head pattern with alert ears, good length of neck with a well-constructed front showing correct angulation up through his well laid shoulders. Good topline, gentle sloping croup and well set tail, good shape through the stifle, good depth of chest Very sound on the move fore and aft, good side profile reach and drive but did feel he was holding back a little when the pace was changed and would prefer just a tiny bit more length through the hock and pasterns.

3rd Sh Ch Tidespring Tonight I Am Here at Tonkory JW (Mrs J Gregory)

Veteran Bitch - Entries: 7 Absentees: 1

1st Tonkory Putting On The Style (Mrs J Gregory) - and she showed her style today. A feminine 7 year old with a good head and gentle expression, well-shaped eye, nice reach of neck and good confirmation in the forequarters with well laid shoulders. Nicely angled to the rear, overall a sound compact bitch with free flowing movement. Best Veteran and well done for gaining P4 in the veteran group.

2nd Sh Ch Goytre Daddy's Saucie Girl JW (Ms A Walters) - a 9 year old, similar type to the winner and many of the same attributes. Lovely head pattern and expression, well balanced body and moved smoothly but not quite able to match the reach and drive of 1 today.

3rd Wizaland Touch of Love (Mrs G M Walford)

Minor Puppy Bitch - Entries: 2 Absentees: 1

1st Wizaland Double Exposure (Mrs G R Davies) Litter sister to the MP dog winner who was also out for the first time. A youngster of good type with ample bone and good body shape. A very pretty, well-shaped, feminine head with a somewhat bemused look on her face. Good angulation through the front, well-shaped over the hindquarters, stood well and moved soundly in side profile and fore and aft in a style you would expect from one so young.

Puppy Bitch - Entries: 6 Absentees: 1

1st Hysteps My Irish Colleen (Ms S P & Miss K Austin & Zolakova) this young b/w came into the ring with the confidence of an old timer and stood proud defying anyone not to take notice of her. She is very well balanced with lovely bone. A classic well chiselled head, active ears and showing a keen expression in eyes of good shape and colour. A good length of neck flowing into well laid shoulders, enough length through the body and beautiful lines over the croup and through her well-constructed hindquarters, tail well set and of good length. Very sound movement from all angles and an easy flowing gait showing a strong level topline. Her body is supple yet carried the firm muscle (which some lacked today) needed to propel her round the ring with the positive action of a working dog. Best Puppy.

2nd Caleykiz Passion for Power (Mrs C & Miss D Wiltshire) at 11 months old this well-constructed youngster powered around the ring (as I have come to expect from this kennel) and did give the winner some competition. I just preferred the head shape of 1.

3rd Tidespring Hopes & Dreams (Mr M & Mrs C Johnson)

Junior Bitch - Entries: 6 Absentees: 0

1st Arrodare Never Say Never (Mr N Smith) at 17 months she was looking more together than the other exhibits in the class. Good presentation with a toned body showing a very neat profile. Pleasing head with well-shaped eyes. Good length of neck and well angulated front construction. Good depth of chest and not too short in the loin. Her smooth firm topline was obvious standing and on the move. She covered the ground well with minimum lift of feet.

2nd Elystari This Must Be Love (Mrs K Milham) a b/w who took 4th place in the puppy class where she was up against some strong competition. Her 10 months looked immature against the winner. She does have a feminine head though I preferred the eye shape of 1. Of good size with enough bone. Her side gait was fine but needs to tighten front and back to improve her movement.

3rd Rollingbones Jamaica (Mr R Jaskolski)

Yearling Bitch - Entries: 8 Absentees: 1

1st Thwaitlake Diamond Splash at Littlethorn (Mr R & Mrs A Tunnicliff) the sleek outline of this bitch makes her look a little rangier than some and I would like to see her just a little more filled out, however she is well balanced and very well put together. There is a kind expression in her well-shaped eyes, good length of neck, level topline and a good slope over the croup. On the move she covered the ground well with minimum lift and without any fuss on her good pasterns and firm feet.

2nd Chikaramor Hall of Fame (Mrs S A & Mrs A Morley & Rogerson) a shorter coupled bitch presented in good coat with nice bone. A typical head with active ears. Nicely muscled which helped show of her positive driving action on the move.

3rd Calareto All My Loving JW (Miss S Lea)

Novice Bitch - Entries: 4 Absentees: 0

1st Calareto Penny Lane (Ms Sm Bird) a pretty 4 year old with a well-defined head pattern nice substance and good ear carriage. Good length of neck and pleasing angulation in her forequarters. Correct length in the body and particularly sound over the hindquarters, good tails set and length and presented in fine coat. A very sound mover from all angles and got better as she and the handler settled in the ring. A good example of a smaller bitch with everything in proportion. I was later informed this was the first time in the ring for both dog and handler so very well done.

2nd Elystari This Must Be Love (Mrs K Milham) previously 2nd in Junior.

3rd Shemella Misty Morning (Mr I J & Mrs M J Lewis)

Post Graduate Bitch - Entries: 7 Absentees: 0

1st Goytre Red Rose (Ms A Walters) a 2 year old dark coated bitch, very neat and well balanced showing a clean profile without the white collar to distract you. Nice head shape and proportions, neat front and good depth of chest, well angled rear. Carrying a little extra weight she covered the ground with ease but rolled a bit over the rear on the move.

2nd Jupavia Heavenly Heart (Mrs S Criddle) presented in good condition with firm muscle this 3 year old stands higher on the leg and I would like to see a little more angulation to the front. She has better shape to the rear and moved smoothly around the ring.

3rd Tidespring West End Girl (Mr M & Mrs C Johnson)

Limit Bitch - Entries: 14 Absentees: 4

1st Tidespring Summer Love (Mr M & Mrs C Johnson) - a pretty 4 year old carrying a good coat but did not look happy in the ring. Well balanced head with good shape and proportions on this girl. Nice reach of neck, well angled front in side profile, strong, well-shaped hindquarters. Smooth outline over the croup with good tail set and length. Whilst standing she did not make the most of herself tending to sink her chest into her elbows which made her look wider in front. This could have cost her the class, however, when she lifted her head ready to move her appearance changed showing sound elbow conformation and a more solid pulling together of her body. On the move she was sound coming and going and her ample reach, drive and flowing gait won her this class.

2nd Fayken Final Destination JW (Mr N & Miss J Smith & Ratcliffe) very neat b/w who pushed hard for the win. A lot of similarities between 1 and 2. This bitch showed far more ring presence with her alert expression and good use of her ears. Well bodied with good front and rear angulation. Well angled over the croup and good tail length. On the move she was sound but did not show her full potential in side profile.

3rd Kinaway Kisses with Fire (ai) (Mr D & Mrs K A Kinton)

Open Bitch - Entries: 8 Absentees: 1

1st Sh Ch Fayken I Am Love JW (Mr R K & Miss J Green & Ratcliffe) such a classy lady and at 7 years old and a super ambassador for the breed. I could do a long write up pointing out all her qualities however feel in this a case of less is more and her record speaks for itself. She has all the qualities I look for in a Border Collie. In the challenge for BOB she was not as enthusiastic on the move as the dog, perhaps due to a flagging handler! Subject to KC approval I was pleased to award her the CC. This I was later told makes her equal with the current breed record holder with 45 CCs. Very well done.

2nd Kinaway Dreams with Fire (ai) JW (Mr D & Mrs K A Kinton) an alert 2 year old with a rather cheeky expression. Lovely refined head without weakness, very feminine, lovely almond eyes, good stop, broad level skull and active ears. Similar in size and conformation to the winner but I feel still needs a little more maturity. Her sound construction and movement fore and aft cannot be denied and in side profile she showed good reach and driving power from the rear. She is a quality bitch of very good type who just lacked the neatness on the move that the winner showed. A well-deserved RCC

3rd Sh Ch Tambuzi Girlz on Fire JW (Dr A J Oliver)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------