Gordon Setter Association

The Gordon Setter Association Open Show Special Award Classes

Sunday 20th July 2025

I would like to begin by thanking the committee for this invitation to judge the special classes at your show. After nearly 40 years of judging, I still look on every appointment as an opportunity to learn something new and consider it an honour to be permitted to examine people’s beloved dogs.

I was very fortunate to have some lovely dogs to go over today and thank everyone who entered under me for their entry.

It was such a lovely venue, just a shame that we weren’t able to be outside as I think all gundogs prefer to feel the grass beneath their paws.

Class A -Junior 4,(1)

3 very nice youngsters to chose from here each with their own merits.

1st Langstrumpf Pollyanna (ai)- Looked lovely in outline with a level topline and good angulation front and aft. Intelligent expression with lovely dark eyes. Feminine without being fine, good neck length into her well laid shoulders. Good depth of chest and well proportioned throughout. In good muscle, with well defined second thigh. Presented in lovely shining coat and condition. Excellent movement with positive footfall, reach and drive.

2nd Kinrae Back To the Future JW – Another lovely young lady. Very pretty head with dark eyes and lovely expression. Straight front with good bone. Lovely topline and tailset. Clean over neck and shoulders. Lovely tight feet and well angulated hind quarters.

Class B – Post Graduate 2

1st Forester’s Norther Hunter Of Darkmoor – Very stylish dog with good conformation throughout. Reminded me very much of some of the Gordons I knew back in the 80s. Solidly built without being too heavy. Good angulation to his shoulders, excellent hindquarters with short hocks, which he used to drive off from around the ring.

2nd Hernwood Eternal Flame – Really liked this very pretty bitch, presented in lovely shining coal black coat. Such a lovely intelligent expression. Balanced and in proportion with correct topline and good tailset. Lovely tight feet, but she sadly didn’t like the floor at all. Her young handler did an excellent job and I think with practice the two of them could be a good pairing.

Class C – Open 2

1st Caradilis Sparks Will Fly JW- Elegant lady with feminine head, low set ears and dark eyes. Straight front with good angulation to shoulders. Good depth of brisket with well sprung ribs. Lovely coat with just the right amount of feathering. Everything in proportion and well balanced. Lovely tailset following naturally from her spine. Tight feet with good bone. Moved really well, reaching out from the front and driving from the rear.

2nd Marlbeck Maldini – Built on solid lines this boy has good shoulder angulation but is shorter in neck than my first placed. Good, level topline and well off for bone. Whilst his movement was sound, he lacked the reach and drive of the bitch on this occasion.

Cheryl Stevenson- Judge