• Show Date: 15/06/2024
  • Show Type: Championship Show
  • Judged by: Cath Moffat Contact Judge
  • Published Date: 16/07/2024

Border Union Agricultural Society

Breed: PASTORAL GROUP

Many thanks to the Secretary and his Committee for the lovely invitation to judge the Pastoral Group in this beautiful setting at Springwood Park, Kelso. The weather forecast was quite horrific but the dark clouds luckily passed us by and it turned into the most beautiful sunny day.   

Thank you to the judges for sending through some beautiful examples of their respective breeds from which I shortlisted 8, aside from my 4 group placings these were; Cope’s Menander Special Edition (Bearded Collie), Vorrias’ Windgunn’s Rizzini (German Shepherd Dog), Stafford’s Ch. Rannerdale Showmaster JW (Shetland Sheepdog) and McColl’s Ch. Unita Mentale Ernesto (imp UKR) (Welsh Corgi (Pembroke).

G1 Mottram’s Ch. Mybeards Hera (Polish Lowland Sheepdog). 5½ year old bitch, such a beautiful example of this breed, she said everything about the Polish Lowland, cobby, muscular and strong yet feminine throughout and I loved her cheeky character, endearing feminine head with correct proportions, she had the smoothest of gait and was presented in an immaculate coat, an easy choice for my Group.

G2 Bothwell’s Norcis Slippery Jack JW (Australian Shepherd). Loved this beautifully presented red merle male of just 2 years who pushed my group winner hard, loved his clean masculine head and expressive eyes, he was balanced with a lovely outline and excellent overall proportions, he was foot perfect on the move in all directions, in excellent coat and well muscled condition.

G3 Jones/Kirkwood’s Ch/Ir/Nl/Int/Dk/Bl Ch. Vandreem Imperial Kashiya JW (Samoyed). Another beautiful male of 6 years with so much presence, he was exceptional in all departments, masculine head, beautiful outline and had plenty to say for himself! He showed well in all directions and was presented in such immaculate condition, a really lovely dog that certainly took my eye for all the right reasons.

G4 Forsey’s Ch. Arianrhod Black Sun Aeon at Muzoku (Finnish Lapphund). Masculine male of 4½ years who strode out around the ring with such a ‘look at me’ attitude, he had the most masculine expressive head with melting dark eyes and well set ears, strong bone and lovely angulation which showed in his effortless movement, he was presented in excellent coat and condition.

CATH MOFFAT