Westmorland County Agricultural Society

Critique for Westmorland County Open Show

12th September 2024

Many thanks to the Officers and Committee for the invitation to judge at their open show also to the exhibitors for entering their dogs and accepting my placings graciously. Thanks also to my steward who kept the ring running efficiently. The weather was perfect and the hospitality second to none.

COCKER SPANIEL P 6 ,(2) 1. Ms S Watson’s Quettadene Stars Aligned Over Bordacity 10 month old black dog presented in stunning coat. Good shoulder placement leading into straight well boned legs. Masculine head but with no trace of harshness. Moved confidently around the ring displaying an impressive degree of maturity for a puppy. BP 2. Mrs E Tavernor’s Cassom Dancing Queen At Regaltav 11 month old blue bitch also very well presented. The light blue colouring added to the charm of this very pretty girl and set off her dark head and nice tight eye. Short and cobby with good bone and on another day could easily have been best puppy. 3. Mrs M Miss M & Mrs J Smith, Smith & Teasel’s Forever Rizi Bizi Coral

J 3,(0) Mrs E Tavernor’s Cassom Dancing Queen At Regaltav 2. Mr P & Mrs M Davies’ Manchela Little Mermaid Of Annaside 14 month old blue bitch also well turned out. Slightly longer cast than first place bitch but has well sprung rib and good depth of chest. Correct ear set and nice tight eye. 3. Miss J Mason’s Leechbaby Hot Shoe Shuffle To Sandlauga

PG 3,(1) 1. Mrs K Bacon’s Timbric Doris Day I have judged this 2 year old blue bitch on a previous occasion and although slightly lacking in coat today, there was nothing lacking about the quality of the dog. Nice deep chest with good spring of rib and correct tail set. Liked her tight dark eye which enhanced her gentle expression. 2. Miss J Mason’s Leechbaby Hot Shoe Shuffle To Sandlauga 17 month old blue roan bitch. Nice and short in loin but perhaps carrying a little too much covering over the ribs which slightly impacted her movement round the ring.

O 4,(0) 1.Mrs S & Mrs P Shrinkfield & Lester’s Quettadene Queen of Stars At just under 4 years old, this black bitch typifies the breed standard. Excellent front, short in loin, feminine head, dark eye and the list goes on. BOB 2. Mrs S Walton’s Annaside Let’s Dance 5 year old black bitch in excellent shape, confident on the move with level topline and merry tail action. My decider on this occasion was the presence of tail feathering on the first placed exhibit in line with the breed standard. 3. Miss J Mason’s Sandlauga Soul Man

ENGLISH SPRINGER SPANIEL P (0) J (0) PG (2,0) 1. Mrs H Merry’s Gleadsbury It Is Destiny For Anacapa 2 year old liver/white dog, well boned with good front and shoulder assembly. Nicely proportioned head with tight dark eye. BOB 2. Mr N & Mrs S Joyce’s Peasblossom Aurora at Fell Tops pretty 2 year old red/white bitch, slightly longer in loin than first place, nicely shaped rear with good bend of stifle.

O (2,0) 1. Mr G & Mrs J Cunliffe’s Ir Sh Ch Calvdale I Say Of Fallenleaf at almost 8 years old this liver/white bitch was as sprightly as any of the younger exhibits and still has good shoulder placement and firm muscled rear. Nicely shaped head and good clean throat. 2. Mr K & Mrs L McCourt’s Meadowdale Solitaire At Woodspa 4 year old liver/white bitch, correct ear set and good bone. Would have preferred slightly less feathering on the body to show off her movement to better advantage.

Field Spaniel P (2,0) 1. Mr J & Mrs M Woodhouse’ Gadhelic Sunshine Girl At Halbadier 11 ½ month old bitch with rich liver colouring. Good bone and nice straight front legs, well feathered. Correct ear set and moved straight and true. BP 2. Miss C Moore’s Fantastic Field Shine Like A Diamond At Gadhelic 11 month old liver bitch with nicely developed head and correct ear set. Good deep chest and well sprung ribs. Slight longer cast and wider in front than first placed puppy.

J (3,0) 1. Mr J & Mrs M Woodhouse’ Gadhelic Sunshine Girl At Halbadier 2. Miss J & Ms R Hepburn & Laverick’s Irisbel From Now On 18 month old black dog with well defined head and gentle expression. Slightly narrower in front than 1. and would have preferred tighter feet. 3. Miss C Moore’s Fantastic Field Shine Like A Diamond At Gadhelic PG (0)

O (2,0) 1. Miss C Moore’s Gadhelic Jennyanydots 5 year old liver bitch. Good shoulder placement and nice straight front. Correct tight feet and good bend of stifle. Happy and true on the move. BOB 2. Mrs S English’s Sonnetend Wake Up And Dream At Wireduck 4½ year old black bitch, well boned with good shoulders. Feet could be tighter. Didn’t use her tail on the move.

WELSH SPRINGER SPANIEL P (2,1) 1. Mrs J Graham’s Nyrilam Born This Way 8½ month old dog. Nice clean throat, correct ear set and smooth silky coat. Well bodied with good depth of chest and nicely proportioned. Happy on the move with just the right amount of drive. BP J (1,1) PG (2,1) 1. Mrs R & Mr D Moore Brent Oyster Bay 3¾ year old bitch with good clean throat and correct ear set. Good turn of stifle. Dense feathering on her chest and perhaps didn’t show her shape to best advantage. O (3,2) Mrs J Graham’s Nyrilam The Moth Catcher 3 year old bitch nicely proportioned throughout. Well defined stop and cleanly chiselled below eyes and clean throat. Smooth silky coat with moderate feathering. Moved with drive. BOB

I was later delighted to hear that my ESS BOB took Gundog Gp1, my Cocker BP took Gundog Puppy Gp2 and my WSS BP took Gundog Puppy Gp3. My thanks again to all the exhibitors who brought their dogs to show under me.

Susan MacFarlane (Cooleela)