• Show Date: 13/10/2024
  • Show Type: Championship Show
  • Judged by: Tim Ball Contact Judge
  • Published Date: 15/10/2024

South Wales Kennel Association

Breed: Best in Show

SOUTH WALES KENNEL ASSOCIATION 2024

BEST IN SHOW

It was an absolute honour to be invited to judge Best in Show at SWKA. An appointment which I should have carried out in 2001 but the Covid pandemic enforced the cancellation of the show that year and my invitation was subsequently carried over to 2024. If the 2021 show had gone ahead, that would have been my first Best in Show at a General Championship Show, however with the cancellation of the show, this year’s appointment is my second time officiating at this level. Super-efficient Secretary, Bridget Croucher, and her very capable team are to be congratulated for once again staging a wonderful show and it’s always a pleasure to spend time at the Royal Welsh Showground which has to be one of the finest settings you could wish for with spectacular views of the Welsh countryside.

From a quality and quite refreshing line-up the nod for Best in Show went to the 3 yr old Pointer bitch, Siddle & Medeiros’ Wilchrimane Frankly Darlin. This truly stunning girl was like a breath of fresh air, ticking all the boxes for me and a sheer delight to get hands-on. Of exquistite breed type with the most beautiful headpiece, full of femininity, correctly proportioned, the best of eyes and characteristic muzzle. Soundly constructed all through, standing on the best of feet, and each part flowing smoothly into the next. Handled to perfection, she seemingly floated around the ring such was her ease of action. For me she simply could not be denied the top spot on the day.

For Reserve Best in Show I selected the Beagle dog, Raymond’s Ch/VDH Ch Dialynne Peter Piper WW17. This 9 yr old certainly belies his age and in a sport where youth generally rises to the top it is wonderful to see this boy shown in first class condition with superb muscle-tone and still able to compete at the highest level. All male, yet free from any suggestion of coarseness, like the Pointer he was so good to go over. Certainly first in line when conformation was being dished out, accurate on the down and back and powering around the ring with excellent carriage.

The other finalists consisted of the Giant Schnauzer dog, Cullen’s Ch Sir Constantine De Barba Negra at Philoma (Imp Fca), the Shetland Sheepdog dog, Pearson’s Ch Edglonian Golden Graham, the English Toy Terrier dog, Imrie’s Ch Witchstone Black Hawk at Amalric JW, the Smooth Fox Terrier bitch, Wilberg’s Ch Kanix Quickstep and the Standard Poodle bitch, Moores, Speakman & Lynn’s Ch Sachemic Mischief Managed with Afterglow JW. Although, not going any further in the competition, all put in sterling performances and their owners and handlers should be justifiably proud to have made it through to the Best in Show ring. Some I felt needed a little more time and I will be interested to see them at some point in the future.

Judge: Tim Ball