Welsh Springer Spaniel Club Of South Wales

Sunday 11th February 2024

Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of South Wales - Open Show. 

Thank you so much to the Officers and the Committee of the Welsh Springer Spaniel Club of South Wales for affording me the opportunity to judge at their breed Open Show, to my two very efficient stewards and to Terry Evans, the show’s photographer, all who never stopped for the entire day and finally, to the exhibitors themselves and their WSS who accepted my decisions so sportingly. The Club’s schedule advises a ‘true Welsh welcome’ and indeed there certainly was, which I very much appreciated. Judge: Yvonne Billows. 

BEST IN SHOW – Sh Ch Crimicar She's Electric with Tigerrock JW

RESERVE BEST IN SHOW – Sh Ch Glenbrows Rhapsody JW

BEST PUPPY IN SHOW – Jacranella Graceful (ai)

BEST VETERAN IN SHOW – Sh Ch Isfryn Spot the Difference Trebettyn

VD (5:2) 1st Williams’ Sh Ch Isfryn Spot the Difference Trebettyn. Super expression on this 8-year-old boy’s well-proportioned masculine head . Strong muscular body and well coupled. Very strong hindquarters with good rear feet enabling powerful driving action. A little down on his front pasterns today but this didn’t detract from his overall quality. Was pleased to award him BVD and BVIS. 2nd Barkley’s. Sh Ch Cherryheath's Mr Mischief JW ShCM VW. Slightly taller than 1, this well-made 12-year-old of real quality had the most delightful of heads and was shown in such strong muscular condition, clearly still loving his exercise and enjoying his time in the ring. RBVD. 3rd Attwood's. IR Sh Ch Kylowen Drym ShCM, ShCex.

MPD (1:0) 1st Harrison's Glenbrows Amadeus. Stood alone but what a delightful quality baby of just 8 ½ months and shown in fabulous condition. He had everything to like at this stage of his development. I found him a little unsure of himself on the move today but as the wooden floor in the hall was a little bit bouncy, and I think it may have un-nerved him a little. Perhaps just needs a little more time to get it all together.

PD (3:1) 1st Harrison's. Glenbrows Casanova. Lovely 11-month-old young man shown in super coat and condition. Of good size, he has a pleasing masculine head and expression of correct proportions, and he presented a smart profile overall. Correct angles front and rear, would prefer a tighter elbow coming forward, but had sound driving action from the rear. BPD. 2nd Barkley's Jacranella Galahad of Cherryheath (ai).Another 11-month-old of super quality, substantial bone, good neck into sloping shoulders and hindquarters were not overdone. Found him to be a little longer & taller than I would like, but at this age he is not yet finished. His head and expression were a joy and he moved with drive.

JD (3:1). 1st Williams’ Nyrilam The Alibi for Trebettyn. 2nd Clarke’s Tigerrock The Wombles. The two exhibits in this class were both of similar pleasing quality and age but of different types and there were compromises to be made in my decision. Both of them not finished yet, and the one standing first was because I just preferred the definition to his head and also his movement. 1st also had the better musculature overall and had strong moderately angled hindquarters which enabled smooth driving action from the rear. He had a level topline and good tail carriage. Would have prefer tighter feet on him. 2nd had more bone than 1 but I would have preferred a shade more length to his body and his feet to be more cat-like. His movement was sure and steady however, I would have preferred a tighter front action.

YD (1:0) 1st Clarke’s Tigerrock Tick Tick Boom JW. Very smart substantial 22-month-old exhibit, presented in excellent coat and hard condition with defined muscle to hindquarters which enabled strong rear driving movement. He could perhaps be a little tighter in front movement. Level topline, good tail set and carriage. Tuck-up a little high at the moment which spoils his balance in profile, making him a little front heavy, but I have no doubt that this will improve as he matures.

ND (1:0). 1st Hillard's Benoveor No Easy Way Out. Stood alone in this class but did not disgrace his new handler, who worked hard to get the best out of him as he moved nicely around the ring and covered the ground well.

PGD (3:1) 1st Piggott’s Hudolus Sealkiss Strumble. Lovely well-proportioned head and masculine expression on this exhibit, good neck into well laid shoulders. He moved soundly and with power from his strong hindquarters. Found him to be a little down on pasterns today . Looked very pleasing in profile on the move as he carried himself very well but today his handler did not always get the best of him when standing. RBD. 2nd Primmer's Amanshe Lone Ranger. Shown in lovely coat and condition, but not quite the balance in head proportions and body outline, A little down on pasterns and perhaps the front angulation could be better. Was a little erratic on the move today but clearly enjoyed himself going around the ring.

LD (1:0) 1st Jones’ Trosley Tamoshanta. Lovely quality dog of almost 4 years old, shown in super coat and condition with a well firmed up body, level topline and good tail set and carriage. I found his head proportions, ear set and his melting expression a delight to examine. He looks after his own profile on the move and can show what he is made of, but I think he needs a stronger presentation when he is stacked to make the best of him. Today I liked him a lot and was willing to look past his ‘relaxed’ approach to standing! BD & BOS

OD (1:0) 1st Clarke’s. Sh Ch Tigerrock Magic Woundabout JW ShCEx OSW. Such an impressive substantial dog both standing and, on the move, and he was exceptionally well presented and oozes a certain style. Sadly, I found his head not quite the proportions I was looking for in this delightfully distinctive breed, which for me also affected expression and I could not get past these aspects when looking for my BD.

SpBD (2:1) 1st Primmer's Amanshe Lone Ranger

SpWD (3:2) 1st Barkley’s Cherryheath's Mr Mojito. Fabulous muscle tone on this 9-year-old boy, who looks like he would have no problems out working. Good head shape and proportions with such kind expression. Covered the ground well on the move.

VB (6:0) 1st Attwood's. Kylowen Demelza VW. My goodness this 9-year-old bitch did not seem to want to make the best of herself today when stacked and sadly her handler was not always able to help her make the best of herself when standing either. So much so that her topline went into ‘relaxed’ mode occasionally. I liked her profile very much on the move when she was able to show herself off properly and with some enthusiasm. She moves true and is enabled with good front and rear angulation. I really liked the work in this girl’s head and the shape and proportions were pleasing. 2nd Sutherland's Sh Ch Jacranella Sonata. Another lovely bitch of top quality and at almost 9 years old has retained all her fine attributes that took her to the top. She was not moving at her best today, but nevertheless she is one out of the top drawer. 3rd Jones’ Sh Ch Julita Rumours at Trosley. Res. Whitfield's Glenbrows Heart to Heart. VHC. Barkley’s. Cherryheath's Miss Velocity JW

MPB (1:1)

PB (6:1) 1st Sutherland's Jacranella Graceful (ai). I so fell in love with this 11 ½ month old young lady and she is one I would have gladly taken home. She just exudes quality from her well-developed nostrils to the white tip of her well-placed tail. Plenty of bone and substance, loved her leg length to body ratio, and her pleasing front and rear angulation enables smooth sound movement. She has such a delightfully feminine head and expression which is of excellent proportions. Will watch her journey to maturity with interest. Was very pleased to award her BPB and BPIS. 2nd Harrison's. Glenbrows Harmony. Another quality youngster who is almost the same age as 1. Fabulous profile and really catches your eye in the ring with so much to like. Presented and handled well. Not as settled in rear action as 1 today. 3rd Janes'. Jacranella Georgia Belle (ai). Res. Reynolds' Cawsandbay Sea Daisy. VHC Primmer's Amanshe Enchanted Spirit.

JB (1:0). 1st Whitfield's Glenbrows Thought to Amberdella. At 16 months old, this immature young lady has the makings of a balanced body but is not quite there yet. She has a feminine head of good proportions with enough work in it at the moment for her growth stage. She gave her handler a hard time on the move but settled just enough to show that she could move soundly.

YB (2:0) 1st Casey's Tigerrock Amazing Grace with Willowmeana. I really liked this 22-month-old bitch who was presented in lovely coat and condition. She had a beautifully feminine head of good proportions, her body shape and length were pleasing, when she let herself settle. She was another who gave her handler a very tough time when trying to move her, but once she was on a loose lead she moved quite smoothly and with considerable drive and I was able to see her soundness. 2nd Whitfield's Glenbrows Thought to Amberdella.

NB (3:0) 1st Casey's Tigerrock Amazing Grace with Willowmeana. 2nd Harrison's Glenbrows Harmony. 3rd Janes' Jacranella Georgia Belle (ai).

PGB (3:0). 1st Casey's. Tigerrock Lit de Roses with Willowmeana. Very much liked the overall shape of this exhibit, she was a very smart mover, and I liked her size. At almost 3 years old, her head was of pleasing proportions and her expression was undoubtedly feminine. Good body depth to leg length ratio, she gave her handler a hard time but when she settled her movement was fine. A bit down on front pasterns as are a lot of exhibits today, however, she was well put together and very well presented. 2nd Morgan’s Benoveor Endless Love. Strongly made 3-year-old bitch of substance. Heavier overall than 1 and a little longer cast. Moved soundly and covered the ground well. 3rd Primmer's Amanshe Mermaid's Tears.

LB (0)

OB (3:0) 1st Clarke’s Sh Ch Crimicar She's Electric with Tigerrock JW. 2nd Harrison's Sh Ch Glenbrows Rhapsody JW. These are two beautiful bitches, both at the top of their game and could likely change positions on another day. Such was the closeness of my decision that the winner of this class was my Best Bitch and Best In Show, and the 2nd place was my Reserve Best Bitch and also Reserve Best in Show. Both of amazing quality and so soundly made with pleasing angles front and rear. Supremely feminine in every way with heads of superb proportions and gentle feminine expressions. Great reach of neck on both into such well-placed shoulders. Both presented in fabulous coat and condition, and very ably handled. For me I was really splitting hairs and whilst they both move freely with powerful ground covering action, I gave the class to 1 because this exhibit actually ‘owned’ the ring today and with such presence I could not deny her the award. 3rd Sutherland's Jacranella Serenade.

SpBB (4:0). 1st Casey's. Tigerrock Lit de Roses with Willowmeana. 2nd. Morgan’s. Benoveor Endless Love. 3rd. Whitfield's Glenbrows Thought to Amberdella. Res. Primmer's Amanshe Mermaid's Tears.

SpWB (0)