Darlington Dog Show Society Ltd

DARLINGTON CHAMPIONSHIP DOG SHOW SOCIETY

RIPON RACECOURSE

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 14TH 2024

Please accept my sincere apologies for this very late submission of my judging critique for ESS at Darlington Championship Show in September 2024.

Many thanks to all those who brought their lovely ESS for me to judge and to both my Stewards for their kindness, good humour and efficiency.

The years have sped past far too quickly but how lucky I have been for over half a century to have lived with, judged and exhibited ESS and got to compete with many prominent and well-respected ESS Kennels.

I have enjoyed all my judging appointments, and I always look forward to those moments when as a judge you feel that intake of breath when coming across a beautifully balanced ESS with a headpiece and a melting expression to match. Then to watch the effortless ease, power and elegance on the move is the cherry on top. Occasionally your heart might skip a beat should you be fortunate enough to spot a diamond in the rough and then subsequently see it reach the upper house.

But most of all, it will always be the true characteristics of the breed that to me is its ultimate attraction and asset – its keenness and willingness to please, happy to be there and say look at what I can do!

VETERAN DOG (1)

1. Rose’s Westway Dream Angus of Rosannoch (Imp Nor)

Stood alone in this class, but it mattered not as he was worthy of the win. Carrying his 9 years well, moving purposefully, and it’s clear he is very much his owner’s pride and joy. Strong bodied and with the requisite balance, with excellent depth of bone, body, length of neck, correct shoulder placement and wearing his best jacket.

MINOR PUPPY DOG (No entries)

PUPPY DOG (No entries)

JUNIOR DOG (1)

1. Calvert’s Calvdale with Respect JW

Smart youngster and as expected from this prestigious Kennel turned out in top order.

Lots to like at this stage and doubtless with more physical development, especially in head, with eyes yet to darken, it’s bound to come. Great bone, depth of body and neat feet, he certainly showed off his best points. Needs to steady in rear but that too will come.

POST GRADUATE DOG (3)

1. Eyeington’s Meadowdale Twix

Has breed appeal, but perhaps for me a touch too much bone and coat which somewhat at this stage masks the present lack of depth of chest beneath. Head needs to develop to complement his build. Lots of character on the move albeit with youthful vigour, which won him his place over 2.

2. Stevenson’s Peasblossom Brogan at Gaolachcara

Not the overall balance of 1, but that said an honest dog whose head and expression are sufficiently pleasing. Shown in good condition, he moved soundly and with purpose.

3. Le- Clercs’ Hunterheck Fade to Black

LIMIT DOG (4) (2 ABS)

1. Mrs K Jenkinson’s Eastriding Royal Black

Occasionally you come across a dog to which you just simply warm .This smart b/w took my eye on entering the ring against worthy opposition. Nothing overdone in any department – head to toe - and everything in the right place, very pleasing to look at, natural sound mover. No flash and dash, just what’s written on the tin. Handled to advantage – I was pleased to award him the Reserve CC.

2. Wilson & Connor’s Pineroch No Stunts Larrie

I’ll not lie – I was looking forward to judging this fellow and was not disappointed with what I found. Lots to admire in construction, great breed type with perhaps some improvement that will come with maturity in head development. Today just edged out by 1 on overall finish but lots to offer in terms of structure and panache.

OPEN DOG (7) (1 ABS)

1. Eyeington’s Sh Ch Meadowdale Daisydale Lightning Bolt

This b/w/t dog has the style, presence, construction and fluid, driving movement that the Breed Standard calls for and topped off with a gorgeous head, eye and expression. Not hard to see why he has done the winning he has. I had no hesitation in awarding him another CC which ( I found out later) was his 20th.

2. Topliss’s Beresford Bolt from the Blue

Here again I found an ESS with lots of admirable breed attributes, hard to ignore, unexaggerated and with a very agreeable head and expression. Moved freely and smartly. There’s little doubt he’ll continuing winning ways.

3. Calvert’s Sh Ch Calvdale Ever Thus JW

VETERAN BITCH (1)

1. Wilson’s & Connor’s Portrail Turns the Swag On for Pineroch

There’s no arguing, as far as I am concerned, that she is a lovely elegant and well-balanced ESS and with movement to complement. Her head and expression are particularly appealing. I really liked her and wish her well for the future. Today she was just edged out of top honours on overall finish and by two excellent top-class bitches. Very pleased to award her Best Veteran.

MINOR PUPPY BITCH (1)

1. Corbett’s Sieger’s See Eye to Eye with Trimere (Imp Dnk) A.E

Well, she won me over fair and square – maybe just now a baby in waiting but with lots of breed qualities to commend her. I feel sure her owner will be giving her the requisite time and patience needed to reach her full potential. For one so young she moved confidently and clearly enjoyed ‘showing off’ BEST PUPPY

PUPPY BITCH (No entries)

JUNIOR BITCH (2)

1. Chandler’s Elazlan Coronation Day JW

Just my cup of tea. I was struck particularly by her femininity, balance and elegance along with her very appealing ‘Teesview’ head and expression. Expertly presented and handled by her young owner/breeder to show off all her first-rate breed points. Delighted to award her the Reserve CC and wish her well on her journey to the upper house where she is most definitely going!

2. Glendinning’s Plaiglen One Last Time

Such a shame she had to meet 1 – very babyish in comparison to !, but still feminine and sweet headed, and showing lots of promise in construction, with lots to like. There will be more to come when confidence and maturity follows. Hoping her name isn’t reflective of future productions!

POST GRADUATE BITCH (7) (1 ABS)

1. Tolladay’s Calvdale Half a Story Bethersden

I was very taken with this lovely b/w. Another who’s not flashy but honest, sound and well put together. It just goes to show that a dog doesn’t necessarily need to be an eye-catcher. Once I put my hands over her, I found much to commend, including a feminine head with gentle expression. Well-handled and moved gracefully straight and true. I hope she continues winning ways because she’s got potential.

2. Harris’s Melverly Amy Dorrit with Coastalglows

As an exhibitor you enter the ring ready to show off your dog, but there are times when your four-legged friend is not always as willing as you’d like them to be! This is a lovely well put together b/w with plenty of overall breed appeal, including an ultra-feminine head and expression, Like fine wine she’ll most surely mature. It was a pity that her reluctance to ‘show off’ her virtues today did her no favours.

3. Topliss’s Shersona I Believe in Angels at Beresford

LIMIT BITCH (6)

1. Jenkinson’s Barecho Fame Queen at Eastriding (Swe Imp)

Attractive l/w bitch with good head and dark eye – well balanced in all departments and holds herself well both in stance and on the move. Well-schooled and put down in excellent coat and condition which was a deciding factor.

2. Savell’s Petranella Tipping the Wink JW

Another well-constructed bitch, with good depth of body and bone. As a youngster she promised a rosy future, as there is no question about her femininity and structure. She moved freely and positively but what a disappointment to find her presentation was not up to the expected standards required to win at this level.

3. Rose’s Pinereoch Amethyst of Rosannoch

OPEN BITCH (4)

A very competitive line up of top-class bitches, all more than worthy of their titles.

1. Corbett’s Sh Ch Trimere Time Fly’s

Aptly named! There is no question that this is a bitch of high quality, conformation, elegance and poise. Her head and gentil expression with that exquisite chiselling and dark eyes. were exactly what I was hoping I would find. In fine fettle, she strutted her stuff with the ease of movement, at one with her handler, and with that floating action the breed standard asks us to strive for and which we don’t always get to see enough of.

It gave me great pleasure to award her the CC and BOB (also I was told later, like the Dog CC, her 20th CC) and I hope she continues to bring joy to lessen the grief of the untimely loss of her breeder/owner.

2. Calvert’s Sh Ch Calvdale Flutter JW

Another well-deserved title holder, she exudes great breed qualities and substance, but without losing any femininity. Appealing head and expression, she moves with style and purpose. As expected from her owner/breeder she was shown in pristine condition and is a credit to her prestigious Kennel.

3. Smith’s Sh Ch Melverly Iridescent

Judge: Mrs Lesley Field (Fernlin)