Irish Setter Club Of Wales

Irish Setter Club of Wales Southern Open Show

held in partnership with South Wales Kennel Association

Thursday 10th October 2024

Judge: Miss Gabrielle Sloane (Ferasheen)

My thanks to the committee for the Invitation to judge at their Southern open show. My thanks also to the exhibitors for the honour of their entries and for their patience during the inevitable clashes of classes, it did present a little bit of a challenge at times but with a little forbearance and good humour we got through.

BITCHES

Veteran Bitch

1st Sh. Ch. Lynwood Abracadabra JW

This lovely lady started my day on such a high, she is the epitome of elegance without exaggeration. Best of heads, balanced and proportionate with beautiful chiselling and clean dark eye of correct shape. Excellent reach of slightly crested neck into well laid-back shoulders and super sternum highlighted by her strong return of forearm. Sweeping turn of stifle with excellent width to both upper and lower thigh. So graceful and light on her feet, covering the ground with such fluidity whilst being true both coming and going. On the go around she showed great reach and drive powering off strong short pasterns with lashing tail action. Although older in years she was presented in glorious dark coat and beautiful, hard condition giving nothing away to the youngsters, she is such a testament to the longevity of the breed. Thank you so much for bringing her. Best Bitch, Best Veteran and Best In Show

2nd Alolfrana U'Are A Diamond

Feminine in overall shape and head with dark eye & soft expression, moderate length of neck set cleanly into forequarters. Not the shoulder placement of first but with enough fill in front. Good depth of chest and length of rib, lovely slope of topline into balanced hind quarters, stood on well arched neat feet.

3rd Alolfrana In A Hot Storm Over Wenflaen

Minor Puppy Bitch

1st Clonageera Summer Moments

Really promising young lady, loved her clean outline and shape. Well boned but feminine, correct length and arch to neck setting smoothly into nicely laid back shoulder. Rib extending well back into proportionate length of loin. Beautiful turn of stifle into neat pasterns and lovely feet. Her slightly more balanced angulation gave her the edge over second on the move, allowing her to cover the ground with a smooth and flowing action.

2nd Clonageera Summer Dreams At Millpoint

Eye catching young lady, already well bodied and with a fabulously lustrous coat. Lean head with dark eye, good reach of neck, strong sternum, forechest and fill, especially for one so young with an excellent ribcage. A shade untidy on the move and needs to come together a little but still such a baby and sporting a confident, happy gait with lashing tail.

3rd Corranroo Winter Moon Over Caervista

Puppy Bitch

1st Gwendariff Skys The Limit

Very pretty young girl, beautiful head with correct oval skull with pronounced stop and occiput. Clean and elegant neck into good shoulder placement, deep, well sprung rib. Strong through the hindquarters with excellent width to first and second thigh, stood on lovely, neat feet. Beautiful outline with correct sloping topline. Beautiful coat quality and presented in fabulous muscular condition for one so young which gave her the precision and fluidity on the move to take Best Puppy Bitch and Best Puppy In Show

2nd Clonageera Summer Dreams At Millpoint

                  Second in Minor Puppy Bitch

3rd Alolfrana Isadora Dances For Lavansands

Junior Bitch

1st Kedalita Abfab For Lynwood JW

Very sound and honest bitch built on racy, but substantial lines. Attractive head and eye, excellent layback of shoulder and prominent sternum. A shade short in rib for my personal preference, but well developed, strong hindquarters. Such a happy mover, full of character with typical lashing tail action.

Yearling Bitch

1st Alolfrana Whole Lotta Love With Redeshka

Mature bitch built on elegant lines, in gleaming coat and well presented. Sweet head and expression with lovely length to foreface and excellent chiselling. Good reach of lean neck setting cleanly into forequarters. Forelegs true, would like a little more spring to her rib but of correct depth. Excellent turn of stifle and lovely compact feet. Still needs to come together a little on the move but covered the ground well and with animation.

2nd Clonageera Honey Honey At Blodaugoch

Stronger in frame than first, head of proper proportions with dark eye of lovely shape, and correct earset giving a gentle expression. Not the neck of first but preferred her shoulder placement. Super width to upper thigh and good turn of stifle. Was a little close coming and going and didn't quite have the exuberance of first.

Novice Bitch

1st Clonageera Honey Honey At Blodaugoch

            Second in Yearling Bitch

2nd Penclippin Celtic Aria

Pretty head on this young bitch, sporting a beautifully soft expression. Moderate length of neck into well laid-back shoulder, ribs well sprung and carried well back. A shade steep in croup, which did spoil her outline a little. Didn't have the ground covering movement of first however seemed a little less confident on the concrete flooring.

3rd Alolfrana Makin Secrets At Blodaugoch

Undergraduate Bitch

1st Penclippin Celtic Aria

           Second in Novice Bitch

2nd Alolfrana Makin Secrets At Blodaugoch

Third in the previous class, one who appealed to me for type, beautiful head with kind gentle expression, good finish to foreface, dark eye of correct unshelled almond shape. Balanced angulation fore and aft, strong ribcage and gentle slope to topline. Presented in good coat just rather taught and hesitant on the move which sadly cost her.

Graduate Bitch

1st Lynwood Rather Scrumptious JW

Fabulous shape and outline on this bitch. Loved her proportions and balance being elegant, feminine and racy whilst maintaining a strong bone. Skull of correct proportions and showing beautiful ear set. Strong lay of shoulder, developed sternum, firm topline and correct over the croup. Lovely short pasterns just would prefer slightly more arch to her feet. Moved positively and with great driving action.

2nd Alolfrana Queen Of Hearts At Bryntwrw

Soundly constructed, longer cast bitch, with substance whilst maintaining elegance. Really lovely head on this girl, correct length and finish to foreface and super raised brow. Not the front angulation of first but well bodied and ribs carried well back into muscular, proportionate loin. Nicely developed hindquarters with good width throughout, just couldn't quite match first for topline. Moved well.

3rd Joaodaws Stargazer JW

Post Graduate Bitch

1st Swiftlark Illustrious JW

Moderately sized bitch, a little stronger in head but with fabulous, raised brow. More moderate in neck, with excellent lay of shoulder and pronounced sternum. Correct depth to brisket and strong spring of rib. Gently sloping top line, excellent width to hindquarters and stood on lovely, neat feet. Deep chestnut coat with gentle wave and well feathered, just a shade loose at the rear on the move today.

2nd Riverbrue Ophelia Bongos At Henaleas

Lovely outline and shape on this bitch and presented in great condition. Clearly feminine expression, with low set ear, and correct oval skull. Excellent length to neck whilst maintaining strength. Longer cast than first but topline gently sloping to well-developed hindquarters with strong turn of stifle. A little uncoordinated on the move today and would prefer tighter feet but nonetheless a lovely young lady.

3rd Corranroo Hot Sensation At Shirlilah

Limit Bitch

1st Gwendariff Thistle Be Jills At Wynjill

Very stylish girl with excellent outline, well-proportioned head with beautiful chiselling to foreface and raised brow, eye of correct shape just perhaps a shade light in colour. Ample neck into deep chest, with plenty of lungroom, strong spring of rib and ribs carried well back. Strong well-muscled hindquarters with super turn of stifle, all of which allowed her to move steadily, with drive and animation. Presented in immaculate dark coat.

2nd Sixoaks My Fair Lady JW

Another beautifully presented lady in full bloom and super condition. Feminine and balanced without being overdone. Pretty in head with dark eye, gentle expression, enough stop and well set on ears. Moderately long neck setting smoothly in muscular forequarters, strong through her loin into well balanced hindquarters, super topline blending seamlessly through to correct croup and tailset. Moved okay today but didn’t have the open side gait of first.

3rd Covarney Dream Time From Bronrians JW

Open Bitch

1st Gwendariff Its Numero Uno At Bonhomie

Prettiest of heads on this girl, sufficient depth and length to foreface, dark eye, and quizzical brow, giving a melting expression. Clean arched neck into strong sternum, excellent deep chest with well sprung ribs carried well back into strong loin. Super hind quarters, with great width to both upper and lower thigh, stifle well bent and very well-muscled into short, neat pasterns and tight feet. Impeccably presented in full bloom, very sound on the move, beautiful sloping topline maintained throughout and showing excellent tail carriage but just couldn’t match the veteran bitch winner for forward reach.

Reserve Best Bitch

2nd Sixoaks Leading Lady

A very honest, moderate sort of bitch without any exaggeration, classic head and expression with parallel planes and well-defined occiput. Moderate in neck and with good should placement although just a little upright in return for my preference. Forelegs straight and elbows free. Excellent ribcage on this girl and carried back into slightly arched loin, hindquarters balanced with fore and maintaining width. Didn’t quite have the free flowing open side gait of first on the move.

DOGS

Veteran Dog

1st Strathmead Huckleberry Of Settesoli

Handsome head with excellent finish to foreface and low set ear. Correct arch to neck which set cleanly into good shoulder placement. Muscular in loin, with clean top line and correct tail set. Movement only just starting to hint at his age, still covering the ground well, maintaining a good width throughout, although did carry his tail a fraction high.

2nd Swiftlark Second To None With Magembay

Classic masculine head of good depth and with excellent length and finish to foreface. Clean in outline with balanced frame, good length to muscular neck, angulations balanced fore and aft, chest deep and with plenty of lungroom, short coupled with super upper thigh, just a fraction steep in croup.

Minor Puppy Dog

1st Gwendariff Hanky Panky

This young boy has great appeal being both substantial and clearly masculine whilst maintaining the breeds raciness and elegance. He excels in forequarters with well laid-back shoulder and strong return of forearm highlighting a fabulous sternum. Already well developed in body and rib and balanced and wide throughout his hindquarters on the stack. Best Puppy Dog and pushed so very hard for Best Puppy In Show, in the end just giving way to the more precise and collected movement of the much more mature bitch.

2nd Gwendariff Ur On Camera (IKC)

Finer built than one and I would prefer him to carry a shade less weight as it did spoil his shape a little, but none the less presented a balanced outline on the stack. Elegant but masculine head showing good stop and chiselling, Clean neck set smoothly into well laid-back shoulders, a little narrower in front than first but has time on his side. Good top line into excellent croup and tail set. Covered the ground well in profile but couldn’t match the width of first.

3rd Gwendariff You're A Wee Monkey At Gilliegrae

Puppy Dog

No Entries

Junior Dog

1st Forfarian Fancy Footwork

Very mature young man, flowing outline and well off for bone. I would prefer a little more refinement in skull at the moment, however he is still young, and his head has yet to finish. Good length of neck into well laid-back shoulder, front true and with good fill, excellent depth to brisket and ribs well sprung. A fraction long in loin but with excellent hind quarters showing good width to both upper and lower thigh with sweeping turn off stifle. Beautiful, deep chestnut coat, and another in excellent muscular condition which allowed him to cover the ground well with strong driving action.

2nd Tiroen Touch Of Magic By Settesoli JW (Imp KCJ)

Another promising young man built on racier lines than first and a little slower in development. Excellent well balanced head with raised brow, good stop and pronounced occiput. Excellent length to well arched neck, set smoothly into well placed shoulder. Forelegs straight and deep in body, shorter cast than first but proportionate and balanced in angulation fore and aft. This boy just didn’t quite have the drive of first today and will take a little more time to mature but he nonetheless is very promising.

Yearling Dog

1st Coppers Get Off My Cloud By Bonhomie (Imp Swe)

Very mature 19 month old male. Slightly lighter in eye than I would prefer, but almond in shape with raised brow and correct oval skull. Gleaming dark chestnut coat of excellent quality, correct length of muscular neck set neatly into well laid back shoulder. Balanced angulation fore and aft, ribs carried well back. Moderate hindquarters, with neat pasterns and tight feet. Shown in excellent muscular condition, he scored in movement maintaining his shape throughout, with true driving action and good rear extension

2nd Bardonhill Mcintosh Red At Montgreenan JW

Broader in skull than first, but the softest of expressions on this young boy, highlighted by his prominent stop, raised brow and beautiful deep brown eye of correct almond shape. Clean, arched neck and strong sternum, true in front and with good bone stood on super, tight well arched feet . Correct depth of brisket and well sprung rib into strong hindquarters with excellent turn of stifle and neat pasterns, just a shade soft in topline today and did like to make his handler work. Covered the ground well but needs to come together a little, I’m sure this will come with time.

3rd Kerryfair Misty Morning TAF

Novice Dog

No Entries

Undergraduate Dog

1st Redclyst Captain Kidd

Liked the overall shape a balance of this boy, still needing to mature a little but moved steadily, presented in lovely coat. Raised brows and dark eye above lovely workings to foreface. Strong neck with good arch. Would prefer a shade more spring of rib but moderate hindquarters balanced with fore. In full coat of good quality just a little untidy on the move today.

Graduate Dog

1st Anlory Sovereign At Rubymoon

Dark coated honest boy, clearly masculine with good bone. A fraction wider in front than ideal but another with an excellent depth of chest and pronounced sternum, good spring of rib into strong loin. Balanced in hind quarters and stood on good feet. Not in his best bib and tucker today but in brilliant muscular condition

2nd Suteresett Mr Mistoffelees At Gochmawr

Heavier in type than first, presented in immaculate coat and condition. Shorter cast with straight front and substantial bone. Excellent deep, ribcage carried well back, shorter coupled into moderate hindquarters of good width with short pasterns. Moved okay but didn’t have the rear extension and width of first.

Post Graduate Dog

1st Swiftlark Spellbinder

Heavier built male of good size, well off for bone but presents a good outline on the stack. Attractive head without coarseness, clean through his neck to well placed shoulder. A little soft in topline but well ribbed with slightly arched muscular loin. Hindquarters strong and powerful and stood on excellent feet. Lacking a little drive on the move today but covered the ground well.

Limit Dog

1st Jetsetter Wind Of Dreams (Imp Rus)

Racy and elegant male dog now in his prime. Pleasing head and expression although to be very picky I would prefer a slightly darker eye. Lovely length and finish to foreface, correct stop with parallel planes and prominent occiput. Clean and elegant through the neck into strong shoulder placement with corresponding return of forearm. Chest deep, ribs carried well back into wide and powerful hindquarters. Good croup of correct length fitting cleanly into correct tailset. Presented in full gleaming coat and lovely muscular condition. Moved freely with precision, efficiency and animation, just couldn't match the Bitch winner when it came to carrying his topline and shape on the move in the challenge. Best Dog and Reserve Best In Show.

2nd Gwendariff UCant Touch This JW

Masculine head of correct proportions, with balanced foreface and defined chiselling, clearly defined occiput and elegant, muscular neck of good length set smoothly into topline. Not the shoulder placement of first but excellent fill in front and forelegs true. Well sprung ribs into muscular loin, excellent hind quarters with good width to both upper and lower thigh and strong turn of stifle, stood on brilliant feet. Moved soundly and with style, just carried his tail a little high today.

3rd Kerryfair Lucky Seven

Open Dog

1st Sh.Ch. Riverbrue Wonderwall At Hernwood, Fabulous head on this boy, correct oval skull, parallel planes, correct length of foreface and beautiful chiselling under correctly shaped, dark eye. Muscular slightly arched neck set cleanly into well placed shoulder and corresponding return of forearm. Sternum prominent and excellent fill in front. Brisket deep with ribs carried well back and with excellent spring giving super heart and lungroom. A shade longer in loin than ideal but well muscled and correctly arched. Excels in powerful hindquarters, with width to both upper and lower thigh, sweeping turn or stifle and short tidy pasterns. Did like to carry his tail a fraction high today and was a little out of coat but couldn’t be denied his placing, covering the ground fluidly and with ease showing animation, enthusiasm and precision. Reserve Best Dog

2nd Gwendariffs Flags Are Flyin

Presented a beautiful picture on the stack, in immaculate condition and in full bloom, sadly I think the long day had taken its toll and he simply didn't want to 'go'. Different in type to first being heavier throughout. Masculine head with good depth in foreface and detailed working below correctly unshelled almond eyes, dark brown in colour and raised brow. Occiput clearly defined, neck muscular and strong into lovely forequarters. Forelegs well boned and true, deep in brisket and well ribbed back. A shade more moderate in hindquarter than first but excellent through his croup and tailset creating the correct smoothly sloping topline, put down in fabulous muscular condition.