Berkshire Downs & Chilterns Golden Retriever Club

Lynn Kipps AFFIX: WHEATCROFT email: lynn@kipps.co.uk

JUDGING CRITIQUE

Show: BERKSHIRE DOWNS & CHILTERNS GOLDEN RETRIEVER CLUB

Venue: The Kennel Club Building, Stoneleigh Park, Warwick CV8 2LZ

Date of Judging: 5th November 2023

Judge: Lynn Kipps

Breed: Golden Retrievers

Sex: FEMALES

Thank you to BDCGRC for inviting me to judge at their super show for a 2nd time. This time it was their 50th Anniversary and they put a super show on with great camaraderie round the ring, with smiling faces and lots of clapping.

Thank you to my two amazing stewards: Dawn Rose and Lesley Furbank who kept proceedings running very efficiently. And thank you to everyone who brought their beautiful temperament Goldens along for me to have the greatest of pleasure assessing them.

Overall, the quality was fabulous; I would say that all my exhibits possessed ‘breed type’, as I have this year witnessed Goldens in the ring that do not possess ‘breed type’.

I had many beautiful heads, temperament was exemplary, and I found just a few criticisms:

Some long in body/couplings, a few short in leg, a few requiring a bit more length of neck to balance, a few that lacked muscle tone, some not quite sound on the move, and the odd flying tail.

SVB (9 Entries, 4 Absent)

1st Williamson Mr SD & Mrs TY THORNYWAIT ATOMIC BETTY FOR SANDTI

Beautiful 9 year old bitch shown in full bloom. Such a happy showgirl, with the most beautiful expression and eyes that look lovingly into her owner’s eyes. Very balanced conformation, short coupled, nothing overdone. She is in great muscular condition and defied her age on the move with such a lovely free moving gait. Pleased to award her BSVB and in agreement with my co- judge Cheryl, she went on to be awarded BSVIS.

2nd Crookes Mrs DS & Jenkinson Mrs RJ SH CH STANROPH STILL THE SAME (IMP ESP) JW

Another veteran in tip top muscular condition with rippling muscles, shown in great coat, beautifully presented. Longer cast than 1 but could not deny her overall quality. Excellent balanced front and rear angles. Although she is long in couplings her excellent muscletone ensures she holds a level topline on the move.

3rd Griggs Mrs J SH CH MULFIELD PEACH BLOSSOM JW ShCM

MPB (13 Entries, 2 Absent)

1st Taylor Miss CA & Tenn Mr MD STRETTONHILL'S DAFFODIL

Leggy 7 month pup (which she should be at this age) showing great promise with her elegant balanced outline. Pretty kindly expression. Superb neck flowing into level topline. Well laid back shoulder with corresponding upper arm and excellent forechest. Short couplings, balanced rear quarters. She moved very positively and freely for her age.

2nd List Ms L HAYDENGOLD MOMENT IN TIME

Pretty youngster showing great promise, so very well balanced. Good angles and just the right shape for her age to allow deepening as she matures to complete the picture. Well sprung ribs with depth, short coupled, firm topline, well set tail. Moved very well.

3rd Williams Mrs M & Miss EL LAMHRYN STAR OF THE SEA

PB (12 Entries, 2 Absent)

1st Ward Mrs J WILD ROSE TO LAURENLEY OF SUNSHINE'S VALLEY (IMP BEL)

Super 10 month pup shown in full coat and great muscular condition with good bone substance. Very balanced moderate angles front and rear. Pretty head and expression with dark eye and pigment. Strong, clean, reachy neck into level topline and tail set. Moved really well with a reachy side gait. Pleased to award her BPB.

2nd Taylor Miss CA & Tenn Mr MD STRETTONHILL'S DAFFODIL

(above)

3rd Williams Mrs M & Miss EL LAMHRYN STAR OF THE SEA

JB (13 Entries, 4 Absent)

1st Clarkson Mrs FM DRUMKILTY YOURS TRULY JW

Super quality eye catching bitch, a picture of balance. She is very well made with strong bone, great substance and beautifully presented today in superb coat and muscular condition. She moved effortlessly round the ring at just the right speed displaying great reach and drive and super level topline.

2nd Rodgers Mrs MJ AMBERSUN PASSIONE OF ODARLA JW

Another high quality bitch displaying her beautiful balanced construction. Looking exactly right for her age with such an elegant outline. Pretty feminine head, clean reachy neck into well laid shoulder and dead level topline. Corresponding angle of upperarm placing front legs well under her body. Short coupled, strong in loin with well muscled rear quarters, she moved freely with grace and drive.

3rd Fleet Mrs MA WATERBABIES KALAKUTA TO EASTBURY (IMP ITA)

YB (14 Entries, 4 Absent)

1st Mell Mr ML & Mrs HJ SANSUE LOVE ACTUALLY AT MELOAK

This perfectly balanced elegant bitch was the best mover in the class, she effortlessly flowed round the ring with long forward reaching strides, powered by muscular rear quarters. She had great head carriage and level tail carriage and maintained a dead level topline. She was true coming and going. Today she was totally out of coat, but I don’t judge hair, (it comes and goes), so could not deny her this 1st place.

2nd Zubair Mrs SM THORNYWAIT NEMESIS

Super constructed quality bitch, so very well balanced fore and aft. Great head and soft expression, reachy muscular neck into correct layback and level topline that she maintained on the move. Moved well from powerful quarters.

3rd Harper Miss LA TULLOCHMOHR SHOOTING STAR AT GLYNERVA JW

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MB (10 Entries, 3 Absent)

1st Ward Mrs J WILD ROSE TO LAURENLEY OF SUNSHINE'S VALLEY (IMP BEL)

(above)

2nd Fleet Mrs MA WATERBABIES KALAKUTA TO EASTBURY (IMP ITA)

Very nice, balanced bitch in good coat. Moderately matched angulation front and rear. Beautiful head and expression, with good width of skull and deep in muzzle. Level topline, short coupled. In good coat. Moved well but would benefit from a longer show lead to allow better free movement.

3rd Smith Mrs NJ ROCAMOKA WRITTEN IN'T STARS

.

NB (13 Entries, 5 Absent)

Hard choice between these 2 young quality bitches, both quite different in type, it will be interesting to see how they develop. 1 just had the edge on movement today.

1st Gayler Mrs PD CAROLAKE X'MARKS THE SPOT JW

Lovely 14 month bitch, well matured for her age, beautifully presented in excellent coat, nice to go over and feel her construction and overall muscle tone. A little longer cast. Moderate length of neck. Pretty head of correct proportion with kindly expression. Level topline and tail set. Front and rear angulation corresponds and coupled with her muscular condition enables her to move freely in side gait and with great drive from rear quarters.

2nd Hush Mr & Mrs W OUSEVALE OCEAN BREEZE AT BENROWAN

Presents a beautiful picture of balance, this superbly presented 18 month bitch is of correct proportions, with corresponding front and rear angulation, clean muscular neck, rock solid topline and short coupled. Very well muscled overall. Set on great feet and possessing straight bone when viewed from front and rear. She moved very well.

3rd McNeish Mr M & Miss M AMBERSUN DROPS OF JUPITER

UGB (11 Entries, 4 Absent)

1st Foreman Mr G & Mrs T AMBERSUN ALL OF MY HEART

2.5 year old of great proportion showing correct length of leg to body length. Good length of strong neck, she is short coupled with level strong topline. Possessing excellent forechest and well laid shoulder and corresponding upper arm, placing front legs well under body. Well muscled 2nd thigh.

She moved very stylishly with great reach and drive and showing good ‘willing to please’ attitude.

2nd Cowper Mrs JR & Mr JB MULFIELD MOONLIT SKY OVER GARMORAN

Very nicely presented bitch in superb coat and muscular condition. Beautiful head, clean muscular neck of good reach. Evident forechest, corresponding front and rear angulation. She showed off her level topline and tail carriage as she moved very well round the ring with lengthy strides.

3rd Fleet Mrs MA WATERBABIES KALAKUTA TO EASTBURY (IMP ITA)

GB (11 Entries, 2 Absent)

1st Hill Miss P & Smith Mr D MEGARVEY DÉJÀ VU JW

This 2 year old bitch is absolutely oozing quality, such a stunning outline. The most beautiful head. Excellent reach of clean muscular neck into the best of shoulder layback and corresponding good length and angle of upper arm with evident forechest. Deep in rib, good spring. Short strong muscular loin. Well muscled balanced rear angles complete the picture. She covered the ground effortlessly with long free strides and great rear propulsion with excellent foot placement from all angles, considered her for top honours.

2nd Smith Mrs E GABLECROSS ROSIE COTTON WITH LUCASTES

Such a pretty bitch presenting a very balanced outline, with correct leg length to body proportions Beautiful feminine head with deep muzzle and broad skull and smiling expression. A glowing example of moderation with her correct front angulation matching perfectly her rear angles allowed her to move very freely round the ring with great style and drive.

3rd Williamson Mr SD & Mrs TY SANDTI TIKI TAKA JW

PGB (16 Entries, 4 Absent)

1st Dunbar Miss L LINIRGOR NINE TO FIVE JW

Super quality stunning young bitch. Loveliest of heads. She presented a superb outline. With all the essentials to gain top honours. Strong neck of excellent length flowing into best of forehand assemblies and matched by strong rear quarters. She powered round the ring with lengthy strides, great head carriage and level top line.

2nd Lazzaretto Ms L THINK TWICE PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT (ATC ITA)

Different type to 1 but you could not deny her superb quality, such a lovely girl with great personality. She stood 4 square showing off her super outline and wagging profusely, so attentive to her handler.

Beautifully presented in deep gold coat and hard muscular condition. She presented a very balanced outline with excellent angles front and rear and hard muscular condition and moved superbly.

3rd Grindey Mrs VM BRAMSTEAD SUPER TROUPER

MLB (16 Entries, 5 Absent)

1st Seamons Mr PD & Mrs JL & Beeson Mrs D MESSANO JUST DANCE

Super classic outline of the correct feminine proportions. Gentle head with soft expression and exhibiting a lovely personality. Clean muscular neck of good length, leading into well laid back shoulder blade and onto level topline. She is short coupled and has corresponding rear angulation. She moved very well with good reach when viewed from all angles, had great head carriage and carried a level topline.

2nd Foreman Mr G & Mrs T AMBERSUN HEART OF GOLD

Lovely gold wavy coated girl presenting a very classic outline and with balanced angulation front and rear. In excellent overall muscle tone. She had a lovely head and expression. Strong muscular neck, leading into perfectly constructed shoulders, with balanced rear angles. Just right for bone, neat tight feet. Positive flowing ground covering mover.

3rd Taylor Mr FJ & Mrs PD PANDREFT QUITE A MELODY

LB (16 Entries, 5 Absent)

1st Keightley Mrs GA RICHANA A STAR IS BORN

Fabulous construction in hard condition. Lovely symmetrical type, stood four square, just so well balanced, with no exaggerations. Correctly angled forequarters harmonizing with rear angulation, excellent width and muscling of second thigh. Moved with style, drive and extension maintaining levelest of toplines.

2nd Falconer Mrs AE CONTEMPORARY BEGUILE AGAIN VIA SIATHAM JW

Super construction classy bitch, different type from 1st. Super outline with good chest and ribbing proportions, muscular neck flowing into perfect forequarter construction. Moderately balanced rear quarters. Strong level topline maintained on the move. Very happy personality showgirl.

3rd Clarke Mrs JM & Mr MP SUNNYOAK THE GIRL IS MINE

OB (8 Entries, 2 Absent)

1st Crookes Mrs DS & Jenkinson Mrs RJ SH CH QUAKERHALL PANDORA'S BOUNTY JW

This bitch epitomises Balance and Moderation, absolutely no exaggerations and with nothing overdone.

Textbook construction; all the angles with no overstatements, carrying the right amount of weight and shown in excellent muscle tone, and defying her 6 years of age

Today she was on top form. Her lengthy neck flows into well laid shoulders, and dead level topline. She is short coupled with strong muscular loin. She covered the ground with excellent forward reach due to correct lay back of shoulder and return of upperarm, and exhibited excellent drive from strong muscular rear quarters, she maintained a level topline with super head and tail carriage. Pleased to award her the CC and on the Referee’s Decision: Best in Show

2nd Ives Mrs T & Miss A SH CH TREWATER BUSY LIZZIE AT BALSAMINA

Very worthy champion and as usual really enjoying her day in the show ring. Now 7.5 years, credit to the owner for keeping her in such lovely condition. In glamorous full coat today, Super reach of neck, correct angles, most attentive to handler. Perfect length and angle of upperarm and correct layback of shoulder, with well-balanced rear quarters. Levelest of toplines. Up on pasterns and exhibiting good overall muscle-tone. Moved out with great style and drive.

3rd Rodgers Mrs MJ SH CH ROJILLAIR EVENING MAGIC OF ODARLA JW

SWB (4 Entries, 3 Absent)

1st Turner Ms R GRAIN OF GOLD'S ARWEN OF AMILONE (IMP SWE) SGWC

Standing alone but very worthy winner and as usual really enjoying her day in the show ring. Who could believe that this stunner is over 10 years old. Credit to the owners for keeping her in such lovely condition. In glamorous full coat today, beautiful bitch of compact proportions. Super reach of neck, correct angles, most attentive to handler. Moved like one half her age.