Northern English Setter Society

Northern English Setter Society Morning Open Show 5th May 2024

I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to judge at their morning show. It was a privilege to go over so many beautiful dogs, there was a great atmosphere and I appreciate everyone accepting my decisions on the day with good grace. Some classes were hotly contested with many excellent exhibits being placed down the line…another day could so easily mean a different decision, but then that is what dog showing is all about. We were blessed with good weather and a nice size grass ring, I hope the entrants had as good a time as I did.

Best in Show went to Sh Ch Chanina Golden Rose, RBIS to Valsett Starlite Sky Storm with Ferngate, Best Puppy in Show to Mariglen My Heart Will Go on with Monaysbridge and Best Veteran to Sh Ch Wansleydale Margarita.

Veteran Dog or Bitch (2,0)

1st Taylors’ Sh Ch Wansleydale Margarita - What an absolute pleasure to go over this 9 year old orange bitch. Very feminine head with a pretty expression, good reach of neck into great layback of shoulders. Straight front, well angulated and a level topline that she kept on the move. Moved out well with a slashing tail. Was delighted to award her Best Veteran in Show.

2nd Hoppers’ Bramstorm Forest Sprite – almost 8 year old orange dog, nice head with dark, expressive eyes, well placed ears, arched neck and overall very well made. Moved slowly but soundly.

Minor Puppy Dog or Bitch (4,0)

1st Taylors’ Wansleydale Honey Bee – 8 months old tricolour bitch headed this wonderful class of quality puppies. Several from the same litter and I am sure they will swap places on another day. This bitch has an excellent shape to her when stacked, ultra feminine head with a kind eye, long neck into good shoulders. Nice tight feet and tail set spot on. Excellent angulation fore and aft and good spring of rib and depth to chest already. In good coat for her age. She moved out well, in typical puppy fashion but very soundly.

2nd Derry, Schoneville & Williamsons’ Hawklawn Hazzard County at Balvenie – 7 months old tricolour dog. What a fabulous puppy, very masculine and very well boned. Handsome head, dark eyes and wide nostrils. Nicely short coupled, moved out with exuberance. Giving a fair bit away in age today but I can see a promising future ahead. Pleased to award him Best Puppy Dog.

3rd Goutorbes’ Wansleydale Beekeeper at Redhara

Puppy Dog or Bitch (8,1, 1 W/D)

1st Hutchinson and Dennis’ Mariglen My Heart Will Go On With Monaysbridge - 9 months old blue belton bitch. Very well made throughout, lovely shape to her. Her head is feminine and she has a soft expression, although there was a hint of mischief in her eye today and she gave both her handler and runner a bit of a hard time. Well bodied, great angulation and moved out well once settled. Added to that she has the most fantastic coat for her age. Close decision between 1st and 2nd place, two very nice puppies. Delighted to award her Best Puppy Bitch and Best Puppy in Show.

2nd Taylors’ Wansleydale Honey Bee

3rd Hughes Mariglen Here To Eternity

Junior Dog (2,1 W/D)

Sadly, one of the exhibits of this class had to be withdrawn following an unforeseeable accident at the start of judging. I wish him well in his recovery.

1st Ciaputas’ Ravensett Cote D’Azur – 11 month old Orange dog. Masculine head, dark eyes with a melting expression, chiselled features, low set ears and nice wide nostrils. Quite mature for his age, looks an absolute picture when stacked, great angulation, short coupled, nice tight feet and a level topline which he held on the move. Unfortunately, he decided today was the day for hi-jinks and played his handler up as soon as she got him into a stand, then bounced around the ring. He thoroughly enjoyed his time today, such a shame as I have seen him move out beautifully and controlled from the ringside. One with a bright future nevertheless.

Yearling Dog (1,0)

 Millers’ Ravensett Calvaro – Orange belton dog of 16 months. Caught my eye as soon as he entered the ring and had not seen him before. What an absolutely cracking dog, masculine head with dark eyes, low set ears, gentle expression. Really well bodied for his age and carrying a long silky coat to complete the picture. Angulation is spot on, tight feet, excellent tail carriage and level topline. On the move he just glides with a slashing tail. Pleased to award him Reserve Best Dog.

Graduate Dog (4,2)

1st Hornes’ Pewterspeare Porter – 3 year old blue, nice head with low set ears, long neck into good shoulders, nice tight feet and in good coat. Good angulation but would prefer more substance overall. Beautifully presented. Moved well to take the class.

2nd Smiths’ Bournehouse Secret Sunset of Meadowrush – 5 year old orange belton, much more my type but sadly carrying too much weight. This reflected in his movement as he appeared sluggish going around the ring and was not holding his topline well today. He has the most beautiful head with a gentle expression, dark eyes, chiselled features and nice wide nostrils. Owner mentioned after judging that he had been ill and the weight gain was due to medication, I wish him well in his recovery and look forward to seeing him when he is back to good form.

Post Graduate Dog

1st Catton & Cooks’ Valsett Starlite Sky Storm with Ferngate – Tricolour, now really coming into his own at 4 years of age. Has the most beautiful head with a well defined stop and oval skull, dark eye. Perfect dentition. Long, arched neck into excellent shoulders, short coupled with good angulation fore and aft, great bone. Well set on tail which he used on the move. Level topline kept at all times. Added to this, he is dripping in coat and moved around the ring with drive. Pleased to award him Best dog.

2nd Taylors’ Kanietter Kokoa – 3 year old tricolour with a nice head and expression. Upright in shoulder and not as well angulated as 1st, which reflected in his movement. Very well presented.

Limit Dog (1,0)

1st Kanietter Kokoa

Junior Bitch (4,1)

1st Bott, Allen & Morgans’ Quensha Glitter and Gold – wow, what a stunning bitch. Almost 13 months old dark orange belton, she has the most beautiful head and expression, so very feminine with a dark eye, well defined stop, and nicely placed ears. Strong neck into great shoulders, short coupled with excellent angulation throughout. Well off for bone, tightest of feet and carrying a long silky coat. Chest deep in brisket and widely sprung ribs. Moved out happily and at one with her handler, tail slashing as she went. Seriously considered her for top honours.

2nd Skeggs – Goochs’ Nellasett Velvet Brown - So unlucky to meet 1st in this class. This bitch is so well balanced and has excellent overall proportions. A pretty head, slightly broader than 1st but still very feminine, lovely dark eyes and a sweet expression. Arched neck into great shoulders, level topline and well set on tail. Well off for bone and nice tight feet, straight in front and well angulated at the rear. Good coat and well presented. I have seen her move out better, she was slightly sluggish today but couldn’t deny her 2nd place in good company.

3rd Forrests’ Elvistar Private Dancer

Yearling Bitch (5,0)

1st Reids’ Hunterblue Mystique at Diersett I have judged this beautiful blue previously and, in my opinion, she has just got better. She has a gorgeous head with well chiselled features and such a beautiful dark eye and low set ears, giving her the kindest expression. Great angulation and in lovely coat today. Good depth of chest and spring of rib. She moves out well on a loose lead, showing how well made she is, excellent presentation.

2nd Seamans’ Mariglen Villanelle – Very close decision between first three in this class who could change places on another day. This tricolour bitch caught my eye and I thought she would be my winner but just pipped to the post in movement today. So much to like about her, feminine head with a melting expression, well arched neck into good shoulders. Slightly larger all over than 1st but totally in proportion and presented a very balanced picture when stacked. Super coat and condition.

3rd Owens’ Marwessett Ysobel Enigma at Cornsett JW

Graduate Bitch (5,1)

1st Prests’ Caleydene Comet – 3 year old orange belton who I had not seen before. Another one with a pretty head, dark eyes and kind expression. Lovely bone and the tightest of feet. Well made throughout, so well balanced when standing and came into her own on the move which reflected how well made she is.

2nd Reids’ Hunterblue Mystique at Diersett

3rd Owens’ Sharnyx Sparklin Starlight at Cornsett

Post Graduate Bitch (2,0)

1st Dykes’ Caleydene Connextion – another close decision in this class, the 1st place just moving that bit better today, but expect 1st and 2nd could easily change places on another day. This orange belton is of a lovely type, so feminine, her head is balanced and she has a long lean neck into good shoulders. Deep chest and good spring of rib, well set on tail. Beautifully presented and in good coat. Moved out soundly with drive and good reach.

2nd Dennis, Harris & Morgans’ Mariglen Unwrapped – a lovely tricolour that I recalled having judged as a youngster, and she has certainly bloomed into a promising adult. Now 3 years old and looking good from all angles. Lovely head and expression, well off for bone, slightly longer cast than 1st, good depth of chest and spring of rib, elbows nicely tucked in. Luxurious coat and beautifully presented, just not so true on the move today.

Limit Bitch (3,1)

1st Seamans’ Mariglen Indigo – Very feminine dark blue who has caught my eye previously. One of the loveliest heads I have seen, dark eye giving such a gentle expression, well defined stop, oval skull and low set ears. Good length of neck, excellent depth of chest and spring of rib. Well off for bone, nice straight front and great bend of stifle, strong muscular legs. Nicely short coupled too. Shown in lovely coat today and so very well presented. Moved really well with drive from the hock. Was pleased to award her Reserve Best Bitch.

2nd Hutchinsons’ Monaysbridge Iris – Another blue bitch, 3 years old and giving her handler a bit of a hard time. She is bigger built all over than the winner but nicely made and well balanced. Pretty head, clean in outline, well ribbed and deep chest. Everything to like about her, moved soundly but not as true as the winner today.

Open Bitch (4,1)

1st Wales’ Sh Ch Chanina Golden Rose JW - I have judged this feminine bitch a few times now and she just gets better. Am delighted she has now been made up into a show champion. Most beautiful head with everything in proportion, well defined stop and the darkest of eyes. Excellent body properties, carrying slightly more weight today but her quality could not be denied. She is so well made thoughout and this is reflected when she is stacked and on the move, her tail slashing as she moves off with drive, her topline remaining level at all times. I was delighted to award her Best Bitch and Best In Show.

2nd Dykes’ Wansleydale Bedazzled at Caleydene – a tricolour bitch that I have not seen before, very nice type though and one I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to place my hands on. Feminine head with nicely chiselled features, long lean neck into good lay of shoulder, well off for bone and good spring of rib. Slightly longer than the winner in body and lost her topline slightly on the move. Moved well enough but not the driving action of 1st today.

3rd Walshaw Illumination Over Elvistar

Sheree Parrish (Judge)