Ladies Kennel Association

Thank you to the Committee for inviting me to judge Sussex Spaniels for my 2nd CC appointment in the breed; many thanks to my 2 Stewards, who kept things ticking along nicely and to the exhibitors who entered under me, I appreciated their support. As a breed, we’re at risk of losing one of our important characteristics, the rich Golden Liver coat colour, it would be a shame to just become a brown spaniel. Mouths in the main were good with a couple of wayward exhibits. Height and substance do make judging interesting, though I felt my principal winners were balanced exhibits who met the standard. BEST OF BREED - MERCER & THOMAS’ SH CH STORMACRE SHE BELIEVES IN ME DCC - ALDERSON’S STORMACRE TINY DANCER WITH MEGGAMOOCH RDCC – ALDERSON’S SH CH MEGGAMOOCH ULYSSES BCC - MERCER & THOMAS’ SH CH STORMACRE SHE BELIEVES IN ME RBCC – BRADBURY & PRESTON’S SH CH HARASTEORRA APHRODITE BP – MCGEACHIE’S MALBECMOGS LADY OF THE LAKE AT KLANHALLION BV – HIPGRAVE’S SH CH EALD VILLAGE GOSSIP VW BSB – BULL & SHORT’S BAKERSCROFT BECKLEY BELLE Dog classes as follows: PUPPY – 2 entries: 1. ALDERSON’S MEGGAMOOCH YESTERDAY – At 10 months he has balanced proportions in his general shape and outline, nice head with pronounced stop, width of head starting to come through. Nice straight front, large knees and strong bone. Good colour for his age. Moving a little erratic but then he was rather enjoying himself, particularly in the puppy challenge. 2. MARSTON’S WOLLASBRIDGE BARNABY – At 11 months he has a taller frame to fill which will take a bit longer to complete the picture, though, one with nice proportions in his shape and profile. He has a smart head with the width of skull starting to come through, his muzzle is starting to deepen and some correct golden tips on his ears and his feathering. Ample bone. His movement improved as he went through his classes. I just preferred the substance of the winner. JUNIOR – 2 entries – 1. ALDERSON’S STORMACRE TINY DANCER WITH MEGGAMOOCH - At 14 months his body is well developed showing very little waistiness and ample chest space. Good reach of neck and well-placed shoulders, straight front with short pasterns and sturdy legs. Moderate curve to his well-shaped head with the soft expression in his eyes, nice depth of muzzle. Sound movement was there, when he got it together, his immaturity coming through at times, while he was in fun mode. Coat having golden tips starting to come on his head, front and feathering. DCC & BOS 2. MARSTON’S WOLLASBRIDGE BARNABY - repeat of Puppy POST GRADUATE – 3 entries 1. GASHER’S BAKERSCROFT BOSBURY PIPPIN – 2-year-old presented a balanced outline. Head with good width of skull and a moderate curve, deep flews, and kindly expression, correct eye colour. Strongly boned and muscular, he has a good depth of chest and spring of rib. Moved out with enthusiasm, keeping his top line and displaying correct tail carriage. Just needs to fill out in his mid-section. One of the best for coat colour. 2. MARSTON’S WOLLASBRIDGE BARNABY - repeat of Puppy 3. HARVEY’S CRUMBLEDOR QUIRINUS QUIREL LIMIT – 5 entries 1. HIPGRAVE’S LORD OF THE GLITTERING CAVES AT TERNSPRINGER - 28 months, preferred his head and substance compared to 2nd, though longer cast in his proportions. Good sturdy legs and tidy feet, strong quarters. Head has depth of muzzle and width with pronounced stop; eyes have the soft expression. Moved ok. Well presented. 2. MOON’S FOXHAMPTION FIELDS OF GOLD – 5-year-old, preferred his depth of chest and his stacked outline while his head was finer and didn’t have the strength or depth of winner. Moved with lively action and good use of his tail. Coat colour was better than 1. Lots to balance between points here with these 2, they could easily change places on different days. 3. HAWKIN’S HARASTEORRA BETELGEUSE OPEN – 6 entries: 1. ALDERSON’S SH CH MEGGAMOOCH ULYSSES - A mature dog of 6 years, had the best of movement with his true, steady gait with distinctive roll. Strong head with width of skull, brows frowning with a pronounced stop: deep square muzzle and flews. Good depth of chest and well-developed body and spring of rib. A lot of substance in this chap, in the challenge, he was just outshone by his son’s ring presence. One of the best for coat and the desired rich golden liver colour. RDCC 2. MOWBRAY’S SH CH CRUMBLEDOR REUBUS HAGRID – 4-year-old who, who I liked for his overall outline, frame size and head. Straight front with good depth of chest, well-marked frill. Strong head with good width and pronounced stop, deep muzzle. For me, his movement would benefit from some drive. Coat colour is a tad dark but well presented. 3. BRADBURY & PRESTON’S HARASTEORRA BIG BEAR JW VETERAN – 1 entry, 1 absent GOOD CITIZEN – no entries SPECIAL BEGINNERS – 1 entry 1. MARSTON’S WOLLASBRIDGE BARNABY - repeat of Puppy Bitch classes as follows: PUPPY – 2 entries: 1. MCGEACHIE’S MALBECMOGS LADY OF THE LAKE AT KLANHALLION – At 11 months she’s a good size, currently looking a little long in the back, which should balance out as she continues to develop. Width of head starting to come and nice depth of muzzle, correct eye colour. Well boned and nicely presented. Movement was better once a loose lead was applied. BP 2. WYTON’S WILLOWSWALK MISS SUNSHINE OVER BELBROUGHTON – just 8 months, has a lot to like in her overall proportioned outline, currently a little dark compared to class winner, but has a super coat texture. A bit finer in bone but is still very raw and has plenty of time on her side. Unsettled to start, but we got there, she moved out well, just need to work on her ring confidence, a little timid at times. JUNIOR BITCH – 1 entry: 1. FOSTER’S NESSI COVA DA IRIA (IMP POL) – 18 months, another with plenty of time on her side. Smaller in stature and currently a little longer cast. She has a nice head and good front; body is filling out nicely. Coat colour is a little dark, at present, though well presented. A tad close behind but moved ok. POST GRADUATE – 4 entries: 1. BULL & SHORT’S BAKERSCROFT BECKLEY BELLE – At 2 years, her steady, true movement won her class. Her head is well balanced, showing moderate curve and a pronounced stop, correct eye colour with soft expression. Good reach of neck and overall shoulder placement, top line held while on the move. Strong hindquarters and substance. One of the best in the day for the rich golden liver coat. BSB, Shortlisted in the group, Congratulations! 2. ALLEN-LINE’S DECKHAM AMBER SUNRISE – At 3 years, I preferred her leg length compared to winner but, she was not as positive with her movement today. Pretty head with good width of skull and kindly expression. Ample bone for her stature. Good overall shape and profile. Well presented. 3. WAKEFIELD’S UNA DES TERRES DE BEAULIEU AVEC NORRISS (IMP FRA) LIMIT – 4 entries 1. ALDERSON’S MEGGAMOOCH WINTERFELL – one I’ve like before, let down by her top line in the challenge. At nearly 5, a mature girl who’s up to size, has a lot of detail and width in her head, good reach of neck and well-placed shoulders. Deep chest with good spring of rib, strong hindquarters, moved well. With the correct coat colour and well presented. 2. ALLEN-LINE’S DECKHAM AMBER SUNRISE – repeat of Post Grad 3. HARVEY’S SPECIAL VERO BUENOS DIAS MALBECMOGS OPEN – 4 entries 1. MERCER & THOMAS’ SH CH STORMACRE SHE BELIEVES IN ME – At 4 years, she impressed with her body shape, proportions and substance; presented a balanced picture. Head has a lot of detail from its shape and width to her pronounced stop and correct eye colour giving that soft expression. A strong neck, with good reach and well-placed shoulders, her movement just flowed, the best in the class. Deep chest with plenty of heart room, no sign of waistiness and strong hindquarters. Put in a good performance in the group. CC & BOB 2. BRADBURY & PRESTON’S SH CH HARASTEORRA APHRODITE – At 5 years, a smaller package than winner but full of type and substance. She moved out with purpose, strong body, well angulated rear action from muscled hindquarters and second thigh. Lovely head with kindly expression, just not quite the reach of neck of winner. 3. ASHCROFT’S SH CH VARYA VELIKOLEPNAYA IZ VALLEY WINS AT TORSHCA (IMP BLR) VETERAN – 2 entries; 1 absent 1. HIPGRAVE’S SH CH EALD VILLAGE GOSSIP VW – At 9 years, she presents a classic balanced outline. Wide skull with moderate curve, another with good reach of neck onto well laid shoulders. Coat of correct colour with golden tips. Just didn’t have the drive of movement in the challenge. BV GOOD CITIZEN – 1 entry: 1. GASHER’S MARQUELL TORSHCA BANG ON – 7-year-old, liked her overall size. Long neck with good frill and well angulated shoulders. Body would benefit from filling out at the waist as still showing some signs of waistiness. Made good use of her tail on the move which was carried level with her top line. Coat has improved since I last saw her. SPECIAL BEGINNERS – 3 entries: 1. BULL & SHORT’S BAKERSCROFT BECKLEY BELLE – repeat of Post Grad; BSB 2. FOSTER’S NESSI COVA DA IRIA (IMP POL) – repeat of Junior 3. CLARK’S SKYE’S THE LIMIT Christine Swietalski