Driffield Championship Dog Show

Driffield Championship Show 2025

Irish Red and White Setters – August 2025

Miss Victoria Wilkins

I thoroughly enjoyed my time judging the breed and was thrilled at such a good and quality entry with no CCs on offer for a breed I have always loved and will continue to love. Thank you so much for the support from exhibitors.

VD (2,1)

1 Taylor’s Laoirebay Monte Carlo VW. On the stand this dog has plenty of strength throughout. However, he was difficult to assess today as he wasn’t happy in the ring to be gone over. Strong, well-proportioned neck leading into nicely laid shoulders. Forelegs show plenty of good bone, giving an overall impression of strength and quality. He has good muscling on his hindquarters, with a good bend of stifle. On the move I would prefer a little tidier in front, but he drove from behind. I thought he moved better in the challenge for BVIB. A lovely example of a veteran.

PD (1,0)

1 Hart’s Gilliegrae So Berry Excited. Fell in love with this youngster who epitomised exuberance! He definitely kept his handler on his toes throughout. He has lovely head proportions and expression, epitomising ‘affectionate’. Good length of neck leading into well-placed shoulders. For one so young he has balance fore and aft, showing real promise of a good future ahead. On the move, when settled, he covered the ground in profile with a long striding gait. I couldn’t look past him to award RBD as he held his own in the remaining line up when competing for this award. Congratulations. Looking forward to seeing him mature. BEST PUPPY, RESERVE BEST DOG.

JD (1,0)

1 Hart’s Gilliegrae So Berry Excited.

PGD (1,0)

1 Holgate’s Don't Stop Me Now With Rogansrock. For me he is slightly on the rangier side and needs time to mature. I thought he had a lovely expression, with good earset, good neck leading into well-placed shoulders. Slightly shorter in return of upper arm but has good forechest, depth of chest and brisket. Well ribbed back. Would prefer more turn of stifle. I thought he moved well and covered the ground as the breed should, working at one with his handler which was a pleasure to see.

OD (2,0)

1 Catton and Cook’s Sh Ch Daithi Shadow Dog With Ferngate (imp Pol). A real stamp of a dog who stood out in the line-up. On the first go round he moved with reach and drive, holding his topline as he showed off a lovely profile gait. Turned out in super coat and condition. His skull is broad with a square muzzle, with a lovely dark eye and good earset. Well bodied throughout, with balance fore and aft. He showed good reach and drive on the move, with good angulation in the rear quarters. Lovely expression and at one with his handler. I thought he put in an excellent performance when challenging for Best Dog and I couldn’t overlook him for the top awards. Well done. BEST DOG, BEST OPPOSITE SEX.

2 Mapletoft’s Roanjora Tanqueray. Difficult to assess this boy on the move today as he was slightly erratic, but he really does love his handler! He is heavier set throughout than 1. Nice head and expression, although I would prefer a little more stop. Straighter in front for me and would prefer more front angulation. Good depth of chest and foreleg bone, with good pasterns. His tail never stopped wagging. Good width of thigh.

VB (1,0)

1 McDonald’s Roanjora Montepulciano. Can hardly believe this girl is 10 years old. She really showed up some of the youngsters and still powered around the ring like a seasoned pro. Turned out in such fantastic condition. My notes say a ‘refined lady’! She has lots of lovely breed type that I can see she has passed on to her offspring. She is balanced throughout and was at one with her handler. When the challenge came for BVIB she ate up the ring and I couldn’t deny her the award. BEST VETERAN.

JB (1,0)

1 Kelly and Hancock’s Coolfin Ecstasy Of Gold At Caradilis. Still such a baby at only 13 months old and for me she has plenty of time to develop as she has the makings of a lovely bitch. As anyone that shows girls will know, she left her coat at home but it didn’t detract from her overall balance. She has the kindest of expressions and nicest of heads, with good length of neck. She has good shoulder proportions, spring of rib and lovely width of upper thigh. Moved well and will watch with interest.

PGB (1,0)

1 Jarvis’ Settersay Targaryen Lowdon. I did have a laugh as this bitch decided to roll on her back when I turned around! Not as positive on the assessment today. Neck of good length, flowing into correctly placed shoulders and a fair return of upper arm, though a touch more forechest would be preferred. Plenty of bone and neat, well-made feet. Good depth to her chest with nicely sprung ribs, carrying back to a strong-made hindquarters with good angulation. She still needs time to mature as she is at the stage where she still looks quite raw, but that will come with age and time. Will watch with interest as she develops.

LB (1,0)

1 McDonald’s Roanjora Cremant D'alsace JW. This bitch epitomises a IRWS for me – her outline, expression, movement, but she was difficult to assess on the stack today and this cost her the top spot which was a real shame. Chest of excellent depth with well-sprung ribs. Head shows correct proportions and the gentlest expression, flowing into a graceful arched neck and well-laid shoulders. In body she is mature, with strong hindquarters that she used to great effect, moving in harmony with her handler in a smooth, effortless stride around the ring. RESERVE BEST BITCH.

OB (1,0)

1 McDonald’s Sh Ch Roanjora Rioja Crianza. A lovely quality girl who stood out in the line-up for me. Slighly finer in head than I would prefer, but it doesn’t compromise what a lovely girl she is. Totally at one with her handler. Excelled in neck, with flowing lines. Well bodied throughout with good spring of rib and depth of chest. In hindquarters she is strong and well-muscled and looked a picture of endurance around the ring as she moved with correct tail carriage. Plenty of strong, oval bone. In the challenge she ate up the ring and looked a picture with my BD and ultimately, I awarded her BEST BITCH & BEST OF BREED. She put on a great performance in the group.