Border Union Agricultural Society

BORDER UNION AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY Championship Show Sunday 16 June 2024

Breed:     Rhodesian Ridgeback

Judge:    Kim Hodge

Thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge Rhodesian Ridgebacks at this wonderful show, your hospitality and organisation was faultless and I felt extremely well looked after throughout the entire weekend.   Thank you also to my deeply experienced steward - through whom I was pleased to learn we were congratulated for keeping right on the designated judging times - it was important to learn later that no exhibitor felt hurried or rushed.   Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who travelled both short and long distances to allow me the privilege of judging your dogs.  Endurance was the word I carried into the ring, and I invite everyone in our fancy to understand the importance of this word so strongly associated with our beautiful breed. We have big, powerful agile hounds who originated to assist in the pursuit of big game.  Great distances should be covered with a straightforward, free and active gait. I was delighted with the big, flat, well groomed ring and thank every exhibitor for allowing me to use every last inch of it!   I shall not comment individually on bites as all were good and all ridges were what the standard calls for.

Class 1473 Minor Puppy Dog 3/0.

3818 Sigurd Auksinis Feniksas (Imp Ltu) (Mrs M Jeffrey) Already up to size 8 month male with good substance and structure.  Handsome head with level planes and good breadth and depth of muzzle with a strong lower jaw.  Clean neck to well laid shoulder, good withers and topline.   Good length of ribbing forming a tidy underline.  Matching fore and aft assemblies, age appropriate muscling over his first and second thigh.  Good bone stands on nicely knuckled feet.  Not yet settled on the move, but plenty of prospect.

3821 Priorpark William Wallace for Clanbruachan (Mrs N Jolly) Clearly having a great day out, this 7 month youngster demonstrated a balanced outline on the stack when viewed from the side.  Good head with nice proportions and mischievous expression.  Neck of good length to nicely laid shoulder, good length of back, slight arch over his compact loin.  Liked his rear plumb lines (when he stood still!).  Lots still to develop, and although he was tested by the weather conditions, it was great to see this happy puppy enjoying the ring.

3799 Priorpark Pragmatist (Mr G Dennis)

Class 1474 Puppy Dog 7/0

3785 Diamondridge Dreadnought (Miss K J Barnes) this top quality 11 month puppy entered the ring with power and presence.  Excellently handled throughout, this up to standard boy demonstrated excellent foot placement and ground coverage on the move.  On the stack he formed a balanced outline and stood comfortably over a lot of ground.  Undeniable masculinity through his head and neck, forelegs straight and heavily boned, elbows close to his body, good depth of ribbing providing excellent heart and lung room, good run of ribbing forming a clean underline.  Strength through is loin, well muscled over his first and second thigh, good tail set, carried a little proud on the move at this age - will settle.   Excellent turn of stifle, hocks well let down, stands on well arched feet.  Very promising youngster.  BPD, BPIB and later awarded PHG3.

3865 Vkloof Duke Lambo Galardo (Mr A Zhao). Presented in tip top condition, I liked this boy for size and substance.  Nothing over done. He has a masculine head with good parallel planes, a good strong clean neck nicely inserted at the withers and on to a good topline, held well at all times.   He has excellent bone, good proportions and a nicely developing body.  His pasterns need to firm but that will come.   Angles matching fore and aft, he presented appropriate muscling for his age over his balanced frame. Handsomely wrapped up in a gleaming red wheaten coat, he was very well handled and worked exceptionally well for his place with a lovely free active gait.  

3816 Nuthouse Mastermind (Mr J & Mrs S Hicks)

Class 1475 Junior Dog 4/1

3784 Delianza What’s Your Motive (Mrs K L Barker).  This striking youngster set the benchmark high.  Everything appropriate for his age; masculine head with flat skull and breath between his well set ears, good stop, powerful muzzle of good length and depth with good close fitting lips. Long, powerful neck flowing to excellent lay of shoulder, excellent angulation with elbows neatly under him.  Good straight forelegs of excellent bone.  Good deep and long ribbing, tidy underline to strong compact loin, strong through his back and topline held well at all times.  Loved his rear assembly with plenty of muscling, good off the croup with a smoothly and strongly rooted tail, excellent length of upper and second thigh, good turn of stifle and hocks well let down.  He moved with exceptional ease, excellent reach - his front foot no further than the tip of his nose and demonstrated a purposeful drive off the hock.   Stands on beautifully compact arched feet.  A most promising Junior, I’ll be one of many I’m sure, who’ll be watching this synchronised team with great interest.  RDCC.  

3816 Nuthouse Mastermind (Mr J & Mrs S Hicks). A handsomely balanced liver nose with a round bright amber eye.  He forms a lovely shape when viewed from the side with lovely height to length proportions, and a handsome flow of line from the top of his head down his crested neck, to well placed withers, onto his topline, off the croup and along his smoothly inserted tail.  Angles matching fore and aft, not surprisingly his side gait was balanced with a breed specific long, low stride to him.  Good straight forelegs, good depth to his chest, elbows neatly under him and stands on compact, well arched feet.   Plenty more to come.  

3809 Rottzridge Celtic Lengend at Kotamury (Mr A & Miss G Green & Thomson)

Class 1476 Yearling Dog. 3/2

3809 Rottzridge Celtic Legend at Kotamury (Mr A & Miss G Green & Thomson). Moderate red wheaten boy with an exceptionally good shine to his short, sleek coat.  Lovely clean head with bright dark eyes, good stop and good breadth and depth of muzzle.  Clean neck to withers, strong through his back, compact in body standing balanced with his elbows well under him. Ribs moderately well sprung.  Good first and second thigh and his hocks well let down.  Compact feet.  Today he was reluctant to move out to keep in step with his handler.   

Class 1477 Novice Dog 1/0

3865 Vkloof Duke Lambo Galardo (Mr A Zhao). As Junior Dog

Class 1478 Graduate Dog 3/1

3865 Vkloof Duke Lambo Galardo (Mr A Zhao). As Junior Dog

3809 Rottzridge Celtic Lengend at Kotamury (Mr A & Miss G Green & Thomson) As Yearling Dog

Class 1479 Post Graduate Dog 2/0

3806 Chaser Jake Jamanne at Kalabaney (Imp Dnk). (Mrs A Field). A desirable sized red wheaten male with dark muzzle and ears framing his handsome head.  Good height to length proportions to his body, depth and length of ribbing, straight forelegs and elbows neatly tucked in.  Pleasing underline and topline to compact loin, strength through his first and second thigh hocks well let down.

3800 Sonnypride Rum and Raisin (Mr G Dennis) Kindest and sweetest expression of the day! This clean faced boy has substance throughout, good head with level planes, big, dark round eyes set well, good sized well set tapered ears. Strong neck flowing to excellent lay of shoulder and length and return of upper arm.  Good deep brisket, moderately well sprung. Topline held well on the move, good off the croup and smooth strongly rooted tail.  He needs a little more muscling over his rear quarters to balance the picture.

Class 1480 Limit Dog 9/2.  Strong class with some really great moving dogs.

3830 Rubicon Red Marvelous Black Panther at Kamili (Imp Mne) JW (Miss K L Maylor).  A well made strongly boned moderate height dog with excellent proportions and a free flowing straightforward action when viewed from all directions.  He won the class on his balanced movement, superb drive and clean footfall and was very well handled to show it all off.  Dark eyes set well, good ear shape, strong, clean good length in neck to good lay of shoulder and length of upper arm allowing him plenty of reach.  Strength throughout his body, good length and depth of ribbing, compact loin, excellent rear assembly with good turn of stifle and excellent drive off his hocks.  Stands on good feet. Considered for the RDCC.

3840. Kinabula’s Bonjangles of Dellared (Mr J & Mrs J Murray).  A classy up to standard hound completely different in stamp to 1.  A beautiful wheaten coat off set by his dark, kind eyes, nicely set ears giving good framing to his head with handsome chiselling, parallel planes and good depth and strength of muzzle.  Strong, clean neck to good lay of shoulder.  Plenty of front fill and length of ribbing, strength still developing through his loin, matching angles fore and aft.  Well boned throughout.  His side gait was a delight to behold, driving off his hocks with an effortless ground covering motion.

Negasi Radagast JW (Mrs M & Mr W Shaw)

Class 1481  Open Dog 5/1

3828 Ch. Hespa Masseto of Africaner JW (Mr J & Mrs C Mackfall).  An upstanding undeniably male hound presented in hard condition.  Excellent, long, lean muscling throughout covering his handsome frame.  He demonstrates excellent proportions of height to length, with excellent bone, head, neck, topline, underline, plumb lines, tail set, carriage and feet.  No interruption from the tip of his handsome nose to the end of his tail.  His accomplished handler ensured he displayed every bit of his goodness, and he rose to the occasion and conditions by covering ground with an excellent long, low stride, correctly demonstrating breed specific movement of the most amount of ground with the least amount of effort.  I had no hesitation in awarding him the DCC and later BOB, and was utterly delighted to witness one of our country’s top hound experts award him HG1 from a rich and celebrated lineup!  Many congratulations to his owners and breeder.  

3842. Mutoko’s Noble One (Mrs P Nash).  I was delighted to meet this handsome hound again, after judging him in 2022 he has matured to all his potential.   Best head of the day, his kind, loyal and reassuring expression leaves a lasting impression.  Beautifully chiselled head with sparkling dark eyes set well, good size ears framing his handsome face, excellent depth and strength of muzzle.  Strong, clean neck to well laid shoulders, strong topline, strength through his loin, well defined muscling over his rear quarters, correct heavy bone.  An undeniable special bond between him and his handler who’s understated, calm and breed specific handling I greatly appreciated.  They moved as one with a smooth straightforward free action.  

3836 Jimmans Ace of Spades (Mr & Mrs S Muir)

Class 1483 Minor Puppy Bitch 5/0

3833 Chagall Iona with Attitude (Miss E and Mrs C Mcintosh & Mackfall).  This young pup formed a superb picture when viewed from all directions.  Flat skull, good stop, good length and depth to her muzzle, bright round and dark eyes paying close attention to her highly sympathetic handler.  Great body proportions, balanced front and rear, with very uniformed development across her frame.  Superb crest of neck flowing to well placed shoulder, topline held well on the move when she really showed off what she’s got with her lovely open side gait and excellent footfall when viewed from the front and back.  Most promising - I look forward to seeing her develop.

3845 Priorpark Pearl of Wisdom for Rumialana (Mrs H Nolan).   Pretty 7 month old with a beautiful rich wheaten coat of excellent sleek, glossy condition.  Lovely head and kind, dark, round twinkling eyes with complimentary striking dark eyeliner.  Good length of neck to sloping shoulder, good straight forelegs.  Chest is not too wide, good depth and length to her ribbing. Topline held well at all times and smooth tail insertion, tapered to the end.  Liked her on the move where she worked well for her handler with good foot placement.  

Msingi Dream A Dream (Mr S J & Mrs A R Pearce)

Class 1484 Puppy Bitch 5/0

3815 Nuthouse Going for Gold (Mr J & Mrs S Hicks). An 11 month red wheaten of excellent size and proportions.  Excellent head with flat skull, good breadth between her well set tapering ears.  Correct breadth, depth and length of muzzle.  Super dark eyes giving her a lovely kind, loyal expression. Strong, elegant neck smoothly inserted at withers, excellent lay of shoulder and length of upper arm returning well to elbows neatly under her.  Chest of good width, good length of ribbing, strength developing through her loin, rear assembly matching fore.  Lovely turn of stifle and strong hocks.  Not surprisingly she moved with an easy and free action with excellent footfall.  BPB

3833 Chagall Iona with Attitude (Miss E and Mrs C Mcintosh & Mackfall).  As Minor Puppy Bitch

Msingi Dream A Dream (Mr S J & Mrs A R Pearce)

Class 1485 Junior Bitch 6/2

3815 Nuthouse Going for Gold (Mr J & Mrs S Hicks) As Puppy Bitch

3852 Jimmans Hell on Heels (Mrs J Ritchie).  A very attractive 17 month old of strong breed type.  Feminine in head with parallel planes, good stop and depth and length of muzzle, dark round eyes well set, desirable size ears framing her noble expression .  Excellent crest of neck which is long and flows beautifully to her withers.  Good lay of shoulder, corresponding length of upper arm and excellent depth of chest.  Good run of ribbing, moderately sprung.  Strength through her back and good croup.  Good well defined muscling over her rear, with excellent plumb line from point of buttock to tip of toe.  She lost momentum on the move today, and I later learned she is not regularly shown. With careful practice I believe she could be a show stopper!   

3817 Mutoko’s Parkers Glory (Miss Z Hudson)

Class 1486 Yearling Bitch  5/0

3860 Tokwe Truly Your Song (Mrs E Taylor).  A delightfully balanced and feminine 20 month old presenting lovely lines throughout.  Her away and back was the best demonstrated of the day, I could clearly see every single foot placement and clean stride she took - kudos to her handler!   Strong feminine attractive head with lovely chiselling, beautifully set ears and dark, intelligent eyes, excellent length and depth of muzzle.  Long elegant and strong neck to excellent front assembly, good length and depth to her body, ribs moderately sprung with her elbows neatly under her. Matching rear assembly with excellent plumb line through her correctly muscled rear. Stands on excellent tight arched feet - one to watch!

3810 Penholda Sweet Lady JW (Mrs G J & Mr G Greeves).  This super shaped 18 month old sports a beautiful wheaten coat and forms a very desirable outline when viewed from the side. Pretty head with lovely dark expressive eyes, correct stop and good length and depth of muzzle, nice big nostrils.  Strong, clean neck nicely inserted at withers. Sloping shoulder with good length of upper arm, good body proportions, strength still developing, angles balanced at rear.  She moves with good straightforward free and ground covering action.   

3826 Jengachenga Fit to Be Tied (Mrs K Lowson)

Class 1487 Novice Bitch 5/0

3793 Mutuma Morrigan (Miss D & Mr M Connelly & Mumford) A delightfully understated female who presented a pleasing outline with tidy, clean lines throughout, stood in good fit for function condition.  Feminine head with gentle kind expression, good breadth between her well set ears, correct stop, good length and dept of muzzle. Long, clean neck to well placed withers, matching front and rear assemblies, nothing over done at all, good strength through her body.  Straight forelegs, good bone, tidy feet.  She moved with an excellent smooth straightforward action.  She’s really easy on the eye.  Well handled.

3866 Vkloof Lady Lambo Huracan (Mr A Zhao). A gleaming red wheaten 10.5 month puppy sporting superb muscling and was well presented in hard condition.   She is of correct size with pleasing proportions and is well off for bone.  Clean face with good ear size and set, and dark round eyes.  Strong neck to sloping shoulder and length of upper arm. Elbows neatly under her.  Strength and substance developing nicely through her body, compact loin, excellent depth of first and second thigh, hocks well let down.  She demonstrated a smooth action on the move, driving well from her rear.  

3817 Mutoko’s Parkers Glory (Miss Z Hudson)

Class 1488 Graduate Bitch 5/0

3793 Mutuma Morrigan (Miss D & Mr M Connelly & Mumford) - as Novice Bitch

3866 Vkloof Lady Lambo Huracan (Mr A Zhao) - as Novice Bitch

3831 Jimmans Hud Yer Wheesht (Mr A Mccluskey)

Class 1489 Post Graduate Bitch 4/0

3820 Negasi Elberith for Clanbruachan JW (Mrs N Jolly)  A striking well made young bitch with excellent bone, height and length proportions and presented in tip top condition.  Elegance yet strength in abundance throughout.  Beautiful feminine head with flat skull and breadth between her ears, good chiselling at the cheek, correct stop and a long, powerful muzzle.  Long, strong, clean neck, carried well on the move, to shoulder, laid well.  Good run and depth of ribbing creates her feminine shape with strength through her loin to superb rear assembly with good muscling throughout.  Correct plumb lines when viewed from the side, she has good straight forelegs, sloping pasterns and stands on well arched feet.  Correct tail carriage on the move, she moved out and worked well and hard for her handler.  RBCC

3838 Bonfirebeau Love to Dream at Rojodiablo (P Mulholland). This young red wheaten bitch really impressed me with her super extension demonstrating a correct long, low open side gait.  Neat, tidy lines throughout with good muscling over her balanced frame.  Lovely feminine head with level planes, good stop, dark muzzle and ears with complimentary dark round eyes giving her a super kind expression.  Standing well, the change of handler from stack to move unsettled her today.

3834 Royalridge She’s The One (Mrs K Morais)

Class 1490 Limit Bitch 10/1

3786 Diamondridge Kazembe Golden Age JW (Mrs L & Miss K & Mr K Barnes).  This top quality female pressed the winners hard today, and was certainly in my top 3 girls of the day, just fell short of keeping her focus in the weather conditions during the challenge. Correct to type with balance and strength throughout.  Feminine head with good width and length proportions and level planes. Long, clean neck to excellent front assembly, allowing her plenty of reach, good depth and length of ribbing, strong straight forelegs standing on good feet.  Lovely underline, strong topline, strength through her loin. Excellent length and width of first and second thigh, good turn of stifle and strong hocks well let down.  Carried her smoothly inserted tapering tail well on the move where she demonstrated excellent ground coverage.

3791 Callmn’s Cut The Crop (Mr A & Mrs L Clark-Maclean).  It was a delight to judge this bitch again, since giving her BPIB in 2022, it’s good to see her developing into a super fit for function hound.   Superbly handled she has a feminine head with dark round eyes, good framing from her ears to give a noble, aloof expression. Correct stop, long deep and powerful muzzle, clean fitting lips. Long strong neck exhibited with attractive crest to good front assembly. Straight forelegs with correct sloping pasterns.   Balanced in her rear assembly with good muscling throughout, she moved with great agility and drive demonstrating an undeniable ability to go all day.   

3844 Jimmans Fidget (Mrs A Nicholl)

Class 1491 Open Bitch 14/4

3824 Shingwidsi Tshedisa Light (Mr J & Ms H Kirby & Mansfield).  This 3 y/o top quality bitch was presented in hard muscular condition.  Breed sympathetically handled, my eyes flowed uninterrupted from the top of her nose to the tip of her tail.  She held her head, neck topline and tail on the move in such a pleasing line that it was no surprise she demonstrated exact angles in reach, propulsion in drive and clean, accurate foot fall when viewed from every angle. Stacked her angles, plumb lines and proportions were as the standard requires.  Her lovely dark, round eyes sparkling throughout, she navigated the wet conditions without protest and despite a brief soaking looked a picture wrapped up in her wheaten coat.  Delighted to award her 2nd CC, I’m sure her 3rd will come in quick succession.

3812 Patemeliann Wicked Lady Jolihem (Dr SI & Mr S & Miss JFS Hemstock & Sanjesh & Hemstock).  In superb condition, this gleaming red wheaten bitch of desirable size and shape demonstrated clean, tidy lines throughout.  Feminine head of good width and level planes, correct stop.   Strong neck carried well on the move, to sloping shoulder with excellent return of upper arm. Good fore chest with not too much fill, ribs moderately sprung, of good length.  Topline held well at all times, with slight arch over her loin, good length and width of first and second thigh, good turn of stifle and hocks well let down.  She was beautifully handled on the move to show off her effortless ground covering action.   

3859 Tokwe Truly A Blessing (Mrs E Taylor)

Class 1492 Veteran Bitch 2/1

3823 Ch Shingwidsi Tshadi Rose (Mr J & Ms H Kirby & Mansfield).  I am so grateful to have had a veteran to Judge and couldn’t have asked for a better example of how our breed can remain fit, active and in great shape well into their veteran years. At 9 years old, this beautifully typey striking grand dame wasn’t going to let the greys on her face distract from what still lies beneath.  Fit for purpose her balanced frame was presented in hard condition demonstrating balance, strength and appropriate muscling throughout.   A joy to behold on the stand and on the move where she showed some of the youngsters how it’s correctly done!  Absolutely delighted to award her BVIB and thrilled to bits to learn later in the day she won the Veteran Hound Group under Tan Nagrecha!

Kim Hodge

Colkeririn Rhodesian Ridgebacks