Driffield Championship Dog Show

DRIFFIELD 49TH SHOW

Saturday 23rd August 2025

English Springer Spaniel

I’d like to thank the officers and committee for the kind invitation to judge at their 49th Championship show, the one that was ‘blown away’ last year, hats off to them for pulling off the massive task of putting on two consecutive shows over 4 days.

Also thanks to my two stewards for keeping us all on our toes so that both shows were completed at a decent time.

Lastly, it goes without saying that I am extremely honoured to have had the opportunity to receive such a lovely entry and be able to examine your super dogs, so to the exhibitors – thank you.

So, just onto the dogs, I was pleased overall with the quality today, however, I do feel that rear movement doesn’t seem to be what it was, and we need to be aware of the sentence from the hindquarters section of the breed standard, ‘hind legs well let down’. Of course, judging is all about compromises in trying to find the dogs that in the judges’ opinion are closest to the breed stranded, and compromises were made today. We all know that every dog has its merits and demerits – nothing is perfect.

On the positive side, presentation was excellent, some of the fragrances coming from the dogs as I went over them, made me think about changing my shampoo! I was also happy to see – lots of bright bubbly and happy Springers.

Class 635 SBD (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: LE-CLERC, Mrs Amy & LE-CLERC, Mr Michael Hunterheck Fade To Black

3 years black & white with the loveliest of heads, balanced with good length of foreface dark eyes of the correct shape giving a soft and gentle expression. Neck is of good length leading to his level topline, he’s a little short in upper arm but has good bone. He is deep through body with decent rear quarters. He just lacks enthusiasm on the move but he is sound. BSB

Class 636 VD NO ENTRIES

Class 637 MPD NO ENTRIES

Class 638 PD NO ENTRIES

Class 639 JD (3 Entries) Abs: 1

1stJ JENKINSON, Mrs K Eastriding Royal Gold

Smart dark liver youngster who is a good size. Head is masculine with good eye shape and colour, I would like just a touch more length of foreface to balance. He’s well constructed with good front angulation. His front is straight and he has good depth of body. Rear quarters are well muscled and he has decent bone and neat feet. He moved out well with good reach and drive.

2nd: TOPLISS, Mrs T E Beresford Stand N' Stare:

This 14 month liver dog is built on larger lines than one, but I do prefer his head to that of 1, its masculine and balanced and has a soft and gentle expression. He’s slightly longer cast but has ample depth and is well off for bone, well angled at both ends I would just prefer a slightly shorter rear pastern. Moved out well in profile.

Class 640 PGD (2 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: LE-CLERC, Mrs Amy & LE-CLERC, Mr Michael Hunterheck Fade To Black

Repeat of SBD

2nd: STEVENSON, Ms E Peasblossom Brogan At Gaolachcara:

3 years liver dog, his head is masculine, but a bit too strong for my taste, his neck is of good length leading into his strong level topline, he has good depth and decent bone, he moved out well but was sadly suffering with dead tail today.

Class 641 LD (2 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: MITCHELL, Mr & Mrs D & J Peasblossom Changes

Beautiful dark liver male of 2 years. Lovely type, balanced outline, head is masculine and balanced with plenty of work in it. Moderate stop that makes for good brows. Eyes of correct almond shape and of good colour to give that kind gentle expression that is expected of the breed. His neck is strong and of good length flowing into his level topline, his front is straight and he is well boned with lovely neat feet. He has ample forechest, shoulders well laid with good return of upper arm; He is deep through body, with well muscled rear quarters, moderately bent stifle and well let down hocks. His movement is fluid in profile with his lovely front extension and the correct swing from the shoulder – he covered the ground with ease. I couldn’t get passed him for the CC and BOB, he was an easy winner for me.

2nd: TRACZ, Miss Jennie J Beresford On My Way With Acregate

Another lovely liver male, masculine well balanced head with good length to foreface and correct eye shape and colour, Well angled forequarters with good bone. He has good depth of chest, with well muscled rear quarters which were nicely angled with good width of second thigh and moderately bent stifle. He moved out well, but wasn’t as settled on the call back.

Class 642 OD (6 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: WILSON, Ms L & CONNOR, Mrs A Sh Ch Pinereoch No Stunts Larrie

Its always nice when you get a surprise, and this was a lovely surprise, what a smart young dog this is. Not flashy just an honest Springer, super head that’s balanced with good eye shape and colour, masculine with good width and length of foreface. He has a good length of neck that flows into his level topline. Forequarters are well made with good bone and feet. He is well off for forechest, is deep through body, with well sprung ribs. Rear quarters are well made with well turned stifle and well let down hocks. He moved so well with reach and drive and is totally at one with his handler and that makes for a sterling performance, more than happy to award him the RCC today.

2nd: TOPLISS, Mrs T E Sh Ch Beresford Bolt From The Blue

Quality B&W, and one I have admired from the ringside. On handling him, I wasn’t disappointed, but he was just out moved today by the winner. He is masculine all through he has a lovely head that is balanced, with soft expression. Neck of good length, he is full of substance, well angled front with ample bone, His chest is deep with well sprung ribs and strong well muscled loin, rear quarters are muscular with well bent stifle, he moved out well, once settled.

3rd: MITCHELL, Mr & Mrs D & J Sh Ch Peasblossom Xanti

Class 643 SBB (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: LE-CLERC, Mrs Amy & LE-CLERC, Mr Michael Hunterheck Lost In A Spell

Feminine black & white of 3 years, she is a good size, feminine head that for me just needs a touch more length of muzzle to balance. Straight front, good depth of chest; she has good bone and neat feet. She was moving a little fast today and that spoilt her outline on the move, however, she has the waggiest of tails.

Class 644 VB (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: WILSON, Ms L & CONNOR, Mrs A Sh Ch Potrail Turns The Swag On For Pinereoch

This is a lovely 8 years liver bitch and one I have admired over the years, so I was really pleased to be able to get hands on her today and I wasn’t disappointed, she is so nice to go over. Feminine all through with her pretty head that is balanced with lovely dark eye that is of the correct almond shape. She makes a nice shape stacked. Neck is of good length and is well muscled and flows nicely into her strong level topline, chest is deep with strength though the loin. Her rear quarters are well made with moderately bent stifle. She moved out well with lovely extension and as with this handlers male, she moved at one with her . More than happy to award her the RCC today.

Class 645 MPB (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: CALVERT, Mr M & CALVERT, Mrs N Elazlan Elle For Leather

What a poppet, this L&W is a lovely puppy from any angle, rising 9 months, she has a pretty head, with eyes just needing to darken a bit, and they will. She has the best of fronts for one so young, good length of neck which flows into her level topline which she held on the move. She makes a good balanced shape on the stack and keeps that shape on the move. Rear quarters are firm and she makes good use of them. She moves with lovely reach and drive, I’m sure she will have a bright future. I was thrilled to see her win the puppy group and then ultimately Best Puppy in Show – Congratulations.

Class 646 PB (1 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: MITCHELL, Mr & Mrs D & J Peasblossom Dreams

This is a smart BWT bitch of 11 months, pretty head which is balanced, with lovely dark eye and good width and depth to muzzle. Her front assemble is well constructed, deep through body with well sprung ribs and strong loin. Rear quarters are strong and well muscled with good width of thigh and moderately bent stifle. Movement was accurate and ground covering.

Class 647 JB (8 Entries) Abs: 2

1st: STEVENSON, Ms E Spuffing Daiquiri At Gaolachcara

Shapely L&W of just 12 months headed this nice class of Juniors. Balanced in outline with flowing lines, she is well off for body, has a good length of neck, her topline is level she has decent front assemble with good bone. Rear quarters are well angled although she just falls away at the croup slightly. Head is feminine with kind expression from her lovely dark eyes. She moves out well in both directions and in profile.

2nd: TOPLISS, Mrs T E Beresford Stand On Ceremony

Pretty 14 months L&W bitch, she’s a shade larger all through than the winner. Head is feminine with plenty of work in it, giving a soft expression. Her chest is of good depth and she is well angled at both ends, her movement was free and ground covering.

3rd: NICKLIN, Mr Lewis Daenerys Girl On Fire At Dexbenella

Class 648 PGB (4 Entries) Abs: 1

1st: TOPLISS, Mrs T E Shersona I Believe In Angels At Beresford

Striking B&W of 2 years, feminine head which is balanced with good eye shape and colour, she is well off for body and bone but still retains her femininity. Her front is straight and well angled with good return of upper arm, good depth of chest, with strong well angled rear quarters. She moves out with good reach and drive.

2nd: WHITLEY, Mrs E B & WHITLEY, Mr D J Peasblossom Celeste

Another good B&W but of a different stamp to one, being a touch smaller. Head is feminine, balanced, with good length to foreface and moderate stop. Decent length of neck, she’s well bodied with good bone and feet. She’s moderately angled and moved out with lovely extension.

3rd: LE-CLERC, Mrs Amy & LE-CLERC, Mr Michael Hunterheck Lost In A Spell

Class 649 LB (9 Entries) Abs: 2

1st: TERNENT, Mr George & TERNENT, Mrs Angela Hunterheck Carianna

I was really taken with this shapely bitch of 3 years. She is super feminine; I liked her for size as she is spot on. She flows from head to tail, her pretty head sets off this bitch, with good eye shape and colour, she has good length of foreface that balances with her skull, Front is straight and well angled she has good forechest, body is deep and her rear quarters muscular with good width of thigh and well bent stifle, she moved well showing reach and drive, I considered her for the RCC but at the crucial moment she chose to be difficult and lost her shape, none the less, I like her a lot and I’m sure her day will come.

2nd: ROSE, Mrs Edith Pinereoch Amethyst Of Rosannoch

Another good L&W but a different stamp to 1 in that she is a touch longer cast. Super head of correct proportions, strong through body with good bone and tidy feet. She has lovely forehand construction and well made rear quarters. She moved well in all directions holding her firm topline.

3rd: HARRIS, Mrs Jayne L Melverly Amy Dorrit With Coastalglows

Class 650 OB (4 Entries) Abs: 0

1st: SMITH, Mr R J Sh Ch Melverly Iridescent

This super shapely liver tri bitch ticks all the boxes for me, she is a lovely size, balanced in outline, and she flows from nose to tail. Pretty feminine head with eyes of good shape and colour, she has good length of foreface rising to a moderate stop, giving her a soft and gentle expression. She has a neck of good length, clean in throat; her front is straight with ample forechest. She has lovely depth of body with well sprung ribs, strong through loin and well muscled rear quarters with moderate bend of stifle and good width of second thigh. She moved out well in all directions with good reach and drive. I was delighted to awarded her the CC today, she was just inched out to BOB as I felt the dog was a touch better in forehand construction, none the less she is a beauty.

2nd: CHANDLER, Miss Elizabeth Sh Ch Elazlan Coronation Day J.w.

Another feminine bitch and worthy champion, she has the best of heads that is balanced with kind expression. Neck is strong and of good length, she is deep through body with strong loin, she is well off for bone and moves well holding her strong topline. I just preferred the overall shape of the winner today.

3rd: CORBETT, Mrs Ann Sh Ch Trimere Time Fly's:

Lesley McCourt

(Woodspa)