English Setter Association

The English Setter Association

Championship Show

Sunday, 20th April 2025

Judge: Michael Masters (Manchela)

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the Officers and Committee of ESA for the invitation to judge the memorial classes at this Championship show. It was such a friendly show with a relaxed atmosphere and great hospitality. A special thank you to my stewards Eric and Simon for the efficiency of the ring and to the exhibitors for entering your lovely dogs under me and accepting my decisions so sportingly.

Special Memorial Award Yearling

Entries: 15 Absentees: 5

1ST Ravensett Just An Illusion with Alolfrana (Danks-Kemish, Littlechild & Littlechild)

This young orange belton male impressed me when I first saw him on the stack. He has a classic head with melting expression, his front is text book with a beautiful lay of shoulder and plenty of depth to brisket. He is so well developed in rib, extending well back to strong, wide loin. He covers the ground effortlessly with good width both ways, reach and drive in profile holding his firm top line and correct tail carriage. I feel he has a very bright future.

2ND Ravensett Cappuccino with Samelen (Atyeo & Taylor)

A very pretty blue belton & tan with an appealing head piece. She is strong in her front construction and has correct depth and width through. On the stack she is striking in profile for her balance and flow which she maintains on the move, sound fore and aft.

3RD Hawklawn Hazzard County at Belvenie JW (Derry, Schoneville & Williamson)

Up to size male of good balance and proportions but now needs to fill his frame. He moves sound holding a good shape in profile.

Special Memorial Award Open

Entries: 14 Absentees: 4

1ST Tattersett Rainbow Legacy (Hepburn)

A mature orange belton male that caught my eye on the first look around and ticked all of my boxes on closer inspection. His head is shapely and balanced, his eyes are correct in shape and colour giving that soulful, kind expression. I found his front assembly a delight to handle; his shoulders are well laid back with correct upper arm and elbows well tucked in. He has plenty of depth to forechest and brisket and he is well ribbed back to strong, short loin. He has the desired width over the rear. He moved with accurate footfall fore and aft, with plenty of drive and reach in profile holding a firm top line.

2ND Phenset Firestorm (Wilkinson-Sargeant)

Another orange belton of similar age to 1 and I see he is a half brother. He is a different type to the winner but correct all the same. I found him to flow from head to tail when handling and share may attributes as the winner, just couldn’t match his footfall today.

3RD Bournehouse Sirocco Over Marissolo JW (Osman)

I have loved this blue belton & tan male from when I first saw him as a puppy. I found him to be of lovely breed type and balance with a beautiful head, although is this class he is still very immature. Today his movement was fairly erratic, I have seen him move much better but he just didn’t get his act together. I also found him a tad weighty for me.