Midlands & Northern Rhodesian Ridgeback Club

Thank you to the Midlands and Northern Rhodesian Ridgeback committee for inviting me to judge at your Open Show. I had been eagerly anticipating this appointment for quite some time, and it truly surpassed my expectations, particularly thanks to the incredibly warm welcome I received and the outstanding quality of the entries. Your hospitality and the calibre of the dogs made the experience all the more memorable, and I am deeply appreciative of everyone’s efforts and contributions. Thank you to my stewards Pippa and Kate for their diligent paperwork and for Toni for her excellent running of the ring; you certainly added to my enjoyment of the day. My greatest appreciation is to the exhibitors for giving me the opportunity to judge your beautiful hounds, there was a wonderful atmosphere around the ring, it was lovely to hear such applause and to witness such sportsmanship. All my winners had clearly defined ridges with two identical crowns. BABY PUPPY DOG 0 BABY PUPPY BITCH 4 What a fabulous class to start my days judging! Four promising baby puppies who will certainly provide their owners with some fun times ahead. 1st Storey & Piehl, Mr P, Mrs E & Mrs L Kiromol Ain’t Misbehavin (AI) Well grown and confident 5 ½ -month-old wheaten. She is full of promise with lots to appreciate. Pretty head of correct proportions with dark round eyes giving her a lovely soft expression. Good length of neck into a well-made front assembly, her brisket is deep with plenty of infill. She stands on lovely bone with compact, well-knuckled feet. Her rear quarters are developing nicely with broad, parallel hocks. She moved well at this early stage in her development, an exciting prospect for the future. BBPIS 2nd Cox, Cox, Cox & Collier, Mrs L A, Mr C, Mrs V & Mr D Carlincox Ciao Bella What a beautiful 4 ½ -month-old puppy, with bags of potential! I loved her shape; she has a well-proportioned body with balanced angulations fore and aft. She has a lovely depth of chest and length of rib. Her hindquarters are broad with width to her second thigh and fair turn of stifle. Steady mover and beautifully handled, her tail constantly wagging. A star for the future. MINOR PUPPY DOG 1 1st Murray, Mr J & Mrs J Dellared African Herbsman Rangy 6-month-old boy, he is just beginning to learn the ropes of showing. Masculine head with flat skull and large ears that are set on high. He has a good reach of neck into a decent front assembly, with fair depth and breadth of chest in keeping with his development. Balanced in rear angulation, he is a little loose in movement at present but as he matures this should firm up. PUPPY DOG 1 1st Doughty, Mrs T & Mr R Rubiltra Farshirovannaya At almost 12-months-old, this young boy is well grown and strongly boned. Lengthy neck that flows smoothy into a decent lay back of shoulder though I would just prefer a little more return of upper arm. He has a lovely depth of chest and broad muscular back; he is moderately angulated in his rear with well bent stifles and low set hocks. Positive mover around the ring. BPD JUNIOR DOG 3 (1) 1st Catharell, Mrs C L & Miss M L Kinabula’s Making Magick for Faahac Handsome17-month-old wheaten male. Dignified, masculine head with width between his ears and well-defined stop. His strong, muscular neck leads to a well-positioned scapula, his forelegs are straight with spring to his pasterns and super feet. He is well bodied with a lovely sweeping underline and nicely ribbed back. He has fair width to his rear quarters with parallel hocks. Sound mover in all directions. 2nd Bates, Mrs J M & Mr D H Gunthwaites Boerenveld Classsy Man Well constructed and balanced 14-month-old red wheaten. Classic head with dark eyes and pigmentation, he has a good length of muzzle and well positioned ears. He has a well-made front assembly with plenty of infill and depth to his chest. His back is broad and well ribbed, though he is shorter coupled than 1st. Well defined hindquarters with good bend of stifle, he looked lovely in profile and maintained his topline on the move. NOVICE DOG 2 (1) 1st Collier, Collier, Collier & Cox, Mrs K, Mr D, Miss I & Mrs L Carlincox Knock Ya Socks Off Powerfully built 19-month-old male. Handsome head with dark eyes, he has strength to his muzzle and correct dentition. Strong, muscular neck into well-laid shoulders. He is deep in chest with a broad muscular back, although he is a tad too long in the loin; this affected his topline especially on the move. His rear is well developed and cleanly muscled. Expertly handled, a lovely team. GRADUATE DOG 0 POST GRADUATE DOG 3 (2) 1st Thomas-Bassett, Mrs T Fiadma’s Stiggens at Skyleridge Handsome 2-year-old boy. Typical, masculine head of pleasing proportions and correct ears set. Strong, crested neck into a fair front assembly though I would prefer a better return of upper arm to allow him extra reach in his stride. His chest is deep and well ribbed; he has a gentle curve of croup and correct tail set. He stands on good bone with neat, well-padded feet. Lovely coat and colour. Steady mover around the ring, although just a little wide in rear going away. LIMIT DOG 3 1st Jeffery, E Negasi Thorin at Rexgrove This 4-year-old boy won this class on type. He is balanced in angulations front and rear, with a fair spring of rib and depth of chest although he is a tad wide in front for my preference. His hindquarters are well muscled with fair width to his second thigh and low set hocks. He was just a little unsettled in his movement today and needs to tighten in his front action. 2nd Hicks, Mr J & Mrs S Nuthouse Mastermind 2-year-old male shown in short sleek coat and hard condition. Strong neck of good length fits smoothly into a moderate front; his back is broad and firmly muscled with a short muscular loin. He stands on good bone, but at times his feet were positioned a little wide which ruined his stance. Balanced in his rear with correct tail set and carriage. He has a pleasing side gait although just a little untidy going away. OPEN DOG 8 (2) What a fabulous class! Full of quality, a real pleasure to judge. 1st Pearce, Mr S J & Mrs A R Kinyemi Song of Serengeti Sepiwi Sekayi JW for Msingi (Imp DNK) Wow, what an exquisite,15-month-old stallion of a hound! He is an upstanding, top-notch male – an instant eye catcher. He has the most handsome, masculine head with dark round eyes that gives him a wonderful expression. His strong, well-shaped neck flows smoothly into perfectly made forequarters, his chest is deep and capacious with his elbows placed perfectly underneath his withers. He stands on excellent bone with spring to his pasterns and the best of feet. Presented in tip-top condition with powerfully made rear quarters – this boy is built for endurance. He impressed me with his free and active movement – he is certainly my cup of tea! BD & BIS 2nd Barker, Mrs K L Ch Delianza Whats Your Motive JW Imposing 2-year-old who looks to be in his prime, and was presented in hard muscular condition. Another top-class male. Classic masculine head with flat back skull and correct width between his ears. Super arch of neck into a first-class front assembly with a lovely return of upper arm. He has an excellent infill of fore chest; his brisket is deep and his back is broad and well ribbed. His rear is well muscled with width to his second thigh and broad, parallel hocks. He moved around the ring with a clean, effortless stride, accurate and foot perfect. RBD VETERAN DOG 1 1st Whiteside, Mr A & Mrs A Jimanns The Doctor This 8 ½-year-old male bellies his years. Shown in smashing condition and beautifully presented with well-manicured nails. Regal head of correct planes, he has strength to his greying muzzle and strong dentition. Harmonising angles of fore and rear quarters which are balanced. His back is broad with well-sprung ribs and a short, powerful loin. He moved around the ring with easy ground covering stride, a wonderful, distinguished gentleman. BVD MINOR PUPPY BITCH 1 1st Murray, Mr J & Mrs J Dellared Easy Skanking Lovely balanced outline on this 6-month-old puppy. Pretty head with flat skull and correct stop. She has a nicely put together front assembly, with a deep brisket and correct infill for age. She stands on good bone with fair width to her rear and parallel hocks. Confident mover around the ring though just a little close in rear at present. PUPPY BITCH 3 (1) 1st Hodge, Mrs K Colkeririn To The Nines Very appealing and shapely 9-month-old bitch. She is built on a quality frame with super bone. Exquisite feminine head with dark twinkling eyes and length and strength to her muzzle. Her strong, elegantly arched neck flows into a first-rate front assembly, she has a super return of upper arm which enables her elbows to be placed directly under her withers. I loved her sweeping rear, with well-defined muscles and lovely turn of stifle. Shown in perfect weight and condition, this young lady is an exciting prospect for the future – one who I will watch with interest. BPB & BPIS 2nd Nevison, Mrs N Bikquest Envy Blazingstar 11-month-old red wheaten bitch shown in excellent condition. She has a lengthy neck into a fair front with depth and breadth to her chest. She stands on good bone with the best of feet; they are compact and well knuckled. She has fair width to her rear, but I would prefer more bend to her stifle. JUNIOR BITCH 3 (2) 1st Nevison, Mrs N Bikquest Sunshine Ember Energetic 11-month-old, shown in super condition. Littermate to 2nd in puppy, she is a carbon copy with all the same attributes. She has a good depth of brisket to her elbow; her chest is nicely ribbed and extends well back. At the moment she is standing a little bum high and I would just prefer a little more angulation to her rear to balance her front. NOVICE BITCH 7 (4) 1st Akers, Mrs K Carlincox Knock Em Off Shapely19-month-old wheaten. Typical head with lovely expression, she is balanced in her angulations fore and aft and was presented in first class muscular condition. She has good width to her front; her forelegs are straight with neat, compact feet. She held her topline on the move and looked a picture in profile. 2nd Nevison, Mrs N Bikquest Envy Blazingstar See 2nd in puppy GRADUATE BITCH 1 1st Craven, Mrs G Africaner Pasadena Powerfully made 14-month-old bitch, she has a shapely outline with clean lines all through. Feminine head with lovely eye shape and expression. Strong muscular neck into a decent lay of shoulder, her back is broad and firmly muscled with a short powerful loin. She is balanced in her rear with broad thighs and adequate bend of stifle. POSTGRADUATE BITCH 5 (1) 1st Kerr, Mrs A Priorpark Pure Theatre At Buhera Coming up to 2-years-old, this well-made youngster was an easy winner of this class with her super type and clean, accurate movement. She is most attractive in profile with very good angles of fore and rear quarters that are in perfect symmetry. Muscular and firm body having notable depth and width to her chest, her ribs extend well back and are nicely sprung. She has width to her pelvis, her tail is set and carried correctly. Sound on the move, one I considered for top honours. 2nd Hicks, Mr J & Mrs S Nuthouse Going For Gold JW Balanced, 2-year-old bitch. Pleasing front assembly with shoulders set sloping and correct return of upper arm. I liked her shape, she has a lovely depth and spring to her ribs, her loin is well muscled and gently arched. True moving on the out and back. LIMIT BITCH 8 (3) 1st Nolan, Mrs H Priorpark Pearl Of Wisdom For Rumialana JW Elegant and typey 2-year-old bitch with a smart, quality appearance. She has a stunning head with equal combination of femineity and strength. Her strong, crested neck flows into well positioned shoulders. Her chest is deep and capacious; she has a lovely sweeping underline and complimentary topline that she held on the move. Shown in excellent coat and in firm, hard condition - she is a real athletic hound. Beautifully handled, she came into her own in the challenge, and I was pleased to award her RBB 2nd Storey & Piehl, Mr P, Mrs E & Mrs L Kiromol Dare To Flair Imposing 4-year-old wheaten with a lovely outline. She is balanced in angulations and is of pleasing proportions. Refined feminine head with lovely detail and dark, round eyes giving her a wonderful, dignified expression. She has quality boned forelegs with good spring of pasterns; her feet are compact with well arched toes. She has fair width to her rear, with low set parallel hocks. Her strong, broad loin helped to maintain her topline on the move. OPEN BITCH 3 1st Kirby & Mansfield, Mr J & Ms H Ch Shingwidsi Tshedisa Light This exceptional, upstanding 4-year-old bitch is certainly in her prime. She is beautifully balanced with nothing exaggerated; she is clean in outline and carries herself well on the move. Beautiful, feminine head with dark eyes and pigmentation, she has strength to her muzzle and is clean in her lips. Her strong, well-shaped neck flows into quality shoulders. She has a lovely return of upper arm and super infill of fore chest; her chest is deep and capacious allowing her plenty of heart and lung room. She was presented in tip top condition; her rear is strongly made and well-muscled. Standing on lovely bone and the best of feet, she moved around the ring with a free and active gait. BB & RBIS 2nd Storey & Piehl, Mr P, Mrs E & Mrs L Kiromol Tip Toe And Go (AI) This powerful 6-year-old bitch has lovely bone and substance, though I wouldn’t want her any taller. Pleasing head of correct proportions head with dark expressive eyes and well positioned ears. Her strong, muscular neck flows into a clean lay of shoulders, her forelegs are straight with good spring of pasterns and well knuckled feet. I liked her rear which is broad, she has with width to her second thigh and parallel hocks. She moved steadily around the ring. VETERAN BITCH 6 (3) 1st Cox, Cox & Musgrave, Mr C, Mrs L & Mrs V Ch Carlincox Pure Gold JW ShCEx OSW Mature and elegant 7-year-old. Eye-catching on the move; this typey bitch is balanced and unexaggerated. Pretty, feminine head with a lovely gentle expression. Her long, crested neck flows smoothly into a super front assembly. I liked her depth of chest; she has a curvy underline and lovely topline. Sound coming and going, she was presented in super muscular condition. Beautifully handled. BVIB 2nd Storey & Piehl, Mr P, Mrs E & Mrs L Ch Kiromol Midsummer Spirit JW This 10-year-old, dignified lady just melted my heart. She is in lovely condition for her age, although not quite as firm in underline as in her youth. She has a beautiful classic head with a wonderful kind expression. Her long, clean neck flows smoothly into a well-made front, her chest is deep and her back is nicely ribbed. She is balanced in rear angulation with a lovely bend of stifle and low set hocks. She is a credit to her owners. ELAINE BOGART (Incitatus)