National Gundog Association

National Gundog Association Championship Show

4 August 2024

Irish Setter Bitches Critique

Judge: Marita Bott

Firstly, my sincere thanks to all the exhibitors for such a wonderful entry. In the current climate of falling entries, it was very much appreciated you all supported me so generously.

It was a lovely summers’ day, and not too hot for the dogs, so ideal for showing.

With thanks to both of my very efficient stewards who kept the ring flowing freely throughout the day

I have been exhibiting Irish Setters for five decades now and there have been a lot of changes over the years. It was, however, most gratifying to be able to find exhibits that I really loved and of correct breed type, in almost every class.

 Veteran (Entries: 7 Absentees: 1)

A stunning class of quality exhibits to start the day and I would have been happy to have given all exhibits present a first. However, hard decisions had to be made:

1 Mugford Sh Ch Lynwood Abracadabra JW now 7 years old and a favourite of mine who has done well under me previously. Built on elegant lines throughout. Pretty, nicely chiselled head. In full and well presented coat she moved with drive and enthusiasm to gain her place in this strong class.

2 Catling Teleri Here Comes Summer Pushed the winner hard, another 7 year old girl so refined and feminine all through. Prettiest of heads and melting expression, shown in excellent coat and immaculately presented as always from this exhibitor. Sound construction both in front and rear. Just dropped off a little over croup when viewed in outline.

3 Bougen Sh Ch Gwendariff Lily The Pink

 Puppy (5 /2)

1 Jones Gwendariff Rhianna. Naughty but so nice! 9mths baby. The occasional glimpses I had of this little madam (when she did stand still) showed a lovely outline, Pretty lean head with well shaped eye. Clean over neck and shoulders . Smooth flowing topline and well develop over hindquarters with correct set-on of tail.. Her sound, steady and free movement, so lovely in profile when going round the ring, gained her the class and BPB

2 Sturrock Forfarian Fancy Me,10mths, another lovely pretty headed baby, in between coats at the moment overall a lovely shape and balance. Needs to steady a little on the move

3 Williams Alolfrana Isadora Dances for Lavansands

 Junior (6/0)

1 Mugford Kedalita Abfab for Lynwood JW at only 12 months old, she was giving a lot away in age in this class but she deserved this high placing on her overall quality, shape and movement. Excels in outline, standing on strong well developed hindquarters, firm gently sloping topline. Sound front construction and attractive head and eye shape she moved steadily & soundly.

2 Holehan Loganrish Tiger Lilly Pearl another 12 months. She is more mature all through than above. Slightly longer cast in body than I would prefer, and needs to steady a little on the move. Shown in excellent, well presented coat. She went on to win the Novice class.

3 Williamson Caskeys United with Bluesprings

 Yearling (2/0)

1 Sloane Ferasheen Pop The Champers JW. 22 months. From a litter several of which I have admired many times in the ring, Ultra-feminine and very racy in outline. Balanced throughout, gently sloping topline and nicely angulated hindquarters. Handler showed her to advantage and she moved soundly. She only needs time to mature and finish and I am sure will then reach top honours.

2 Poplawska Shelindair Sing to A Rainbow Very pretty head and dark eye on this girl. In outline she drops off a little over the croup and also stands a little wide in front but this could well improve with maturity.

 Novice (6/3)

1 Holehan Loganrish Tiger Lilly Pearl -as above 2nd Junior

2 White Paduan Golden Girl was a little apprehensive when being handled. She is attractive in head and well bodied. Shown in hard condition with well developed hindquarters. Needs to steady on the move as she was quite erratic today.

3 Evans & Lloyd-Jones Clonageera Honey Honey at Blodaugoch

 Graduate (16/4)

1 Hall Riverbrue Ophelia Love Glennara JW Shown in full coat. She has a lovely shape overall. Pretty well shaped head and eye. Good strength to well developed hindquarters. She can be a little unsteady on the move at times but her quality, style and finish was enough to carry her to 1st place in a very good class..

2 Vallance Glencarron Second Edition to Corcencone Pushed the winner hard . Just not quite the finish and maturity at the moment but that will come. She has a super topline. Attractive head and eye, strong hindquarters that enabled her to move very well to gain her place here.

3 Mugford Lynwood Rather Scrumptious JW

 Post Graduate (12/3)

1 Holley Gwendariff Thistle Be Jills at Wynjill. I thought her outstanding today. Super outline, sound in front, deep body and strong rear angulation. Most attractive and well proportioned head with dark well shaped eye. Shown in superb, immaculately presented dark coat. She moved off really well with good and accurate driving rear action, extending her hocks, showing a clean pair of heels and with great tail action. She looked a picture going round the ring and I was pleased to award her the CC today. In agreement with my co-judge she was awarded Best of Breed. Congratulations.

2 Hopewell Krasny Angel Rose. Overall an attractive exhibit, mature and shown in good coat. Lovely head shape and dark eye. Outline good although in front a little straight in upper arm. Strong over hindquarters. Could be steadier on the move though.

3 Peters Corranroo Hot Sensation at Shirlilah

Mid Limit (4/1)

3 lovely exhibits of different types.

1 Hall Harreds Lillie. Such a pretty girl who showed herself off to advantage on the move. Clean and elegant lines over neck and shoulder and strong over Hindquarters. She has the most attractive and well chiselled head too.

I felt that she still needs time to mature but I loved her type.

2 Sturrock Forfarian Tickles Yer Fancy. In outline she is of a slightly longer cast type. Good in body depth standing on well developed hindquarters. Attractive lean head and low set ears. She moved off soundly

3 Hall Glennara Cherry Cola JW

Limit (6/1)

1 Bayne Corranroo Rainbow Shimmer Such a sound girl with correct front angulation excellent body properties and strong well developed hindquarters. She is pleasing and elegant in head. Shown in full and perfectly presented coat as always from this exhibitor. Was so close up for ResCC but just wish she would have a little more enthusiasm on the move to complete the picture

2 Douthwaite & Wharfe Quensha Beautiful Stranger of Gracewood built on a slightly longer cast frame than first with deep body and excellent strong hindquarters which she used well and have super driving movement. Pretty in head with dark eye. Overall just not as finished as above but a super type

3 Heather Sixoaks My Fair Lady JW

Open (10/2)

A high quality class of exhibits here. Thank you all for entering it was an honour to judge such a fabulous class

1 Wojcik-Maksymiec Yokozumba Lofty She caught my eye as soon as she entered the ring. Built on such elegant, clean lines, shown in full and immaculately presented dark coat. Lovely head and well shaped dark eye, correct ear-set. Clean reach of neck and correct front angulation. Mature in body and standing on strong hindquarters. She moved with purpose and drive in profile, although, at times a little over exuberant and needed to steady a little in hind movement. She was completely unknown to me but I was so impressed with her type, quality and style, she went on to be awarded the Res CC in very strong competition today.

2 Hunter Int Sh Ch Fairhaven Electra Jww19 Ww21 Close up to above and a lovely exhibit all through. Sweetest of heads and soft expression. Well developed hindquarters and excellent in body. She was shown in full and beautifully presented coat. I liked her a lot.

3rd Roberts Sh Ch Jetsetter Cristalle to Polmennor JW

Special Beginners (6 /1)

1 Webb Alolfrana Whole Lotta Love with Redeshka Built on elegant lines, flowing outline with attractive head and expression. She has a rich, dark coat. Presented and shown in excellent condition. She just needs time to mature all through.

2 Bentley Penclippin Celtic Asthore JW Built on similar lines to above but, today, not quite the finish in coat. She had a nice topline and overall a pleasing shape. Again needing time but our breed should be and is generally a slow maturing one, so her day will come.

3 Fox Kerryfair Special Diamond

Thank you all again for such a super quality entry

Marita Bott