Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society

Show – Staffordshire & Birmingham Agricultural Society

Date – 28th (Gundogs) 29th (Pastoral) May 2025

Judge – Lynda Nicholas (Nickarlyn)

Thank you to the committee for inviting me, all exhibitors who entered and my efficient stewards. Thank you to the rain gods, the forecast was dire – in reality, the sun shone both days and it was firm and dry underfoot. It was a fabulous show and thrilled that some of my breeds took top honours over both days.

SPANIEL – ENGLISH SPRINGER

P (2,1)

1 House – Gleadsbury Mad About the Boy – BPIB & RBOB

Liver & white just rising 1 yr. Pleasing masculine head without being overdone with a kind expression. Good body and bone for age and has a smart, balanced unexaggerated outline. Moderate angulations and good hocks ensured he covered the ground well. Presented in good coat. Confident moving, showing reach and drive.

J (1,0)

1 House – Gleadsbury Mad About the Boy

PG (1,0)

1 House – Gleadsbury Destiny Belle

2 ½ yr Liver & white feminine bitch, of good size, and presenting a typey balanced silhouette. Prefer a little more length to muzzle for balance, kind eye with chiselling below giving desired expression. Good reach of neck into well laid shoulder & return of upper arm. Sufficient spring to rib, and depth to brisket. Well boned with nice tight feet. Moved with purpose from strong rear though slightly lost her topline.

O (3,1)

1 Merry – Gleadsbury It Is Destiny for Anacapa BOB

2 ½ yr old liver & white (sister to previous class winner) of good size and body proportions. Balanced in head, square muzzle, chiselling and fluting enhanced his expression. Good neck length fitted seamlessly into well laid shoulders and matching return of upper-arm. Depth to brisket, well sprung ribs reaching well back with a strong loin. Correct tailset. Presented in super coat and condition. Very accurate on the move – covering the ground with ease.

2 Gardiner – Barecho Cover Girl of Svenjak (IMP SWE)

3 ½ yr liver & white. Feminine head of good balance, correct stop and soft eye. Prefer slightly more reach of neck. Good bone and neat feet. A racier type but well-constructed throughout, bone and body complements frame. Solid topline held throughout, moved well with good tail action, covering the ground. Not quite the silhouette of winner

SPANIEL – WELSH SPRINGER

P (5,0)

1 Harrison – Glenbrows Timeless

9 mths old. Well balanced feminine head with well shaped eye giving a soft expression. Strong, clean neck into good front construction. Well off for ribs and short loin, bone and body complement her moderate frame. Standing on good legs, tight elbows, flexible pasterns and correct feet. Topline held throughout, composed movement was smooth, free and easy. Accurate footfall, plenty of drive with good tail action. Beautifully presented as were all from this kennel.

2 Harrison – Glenbrows Time Will Tell

Litter sister to winner and many of the same comments apply. I slightly preferred her front assembly and overall size/balance. However, was extremely excited about showing off her many virtues - making it difficult to assess her movement and foot placement. Sure that these siblings will swap places time and time again

3 Knowles – Menstonia Endless Mist

J (3,0)

1 Harrison – Glenbrows Turn Back Time BPIB/BOB/P GRP 2

Another sibling, what an exciting litter. All male but nothing course about him. Lovely balanced head and melting expression. Clean neck leading to well laid shoulder and correct return of upper arm. Good depth to chest, ribbing reaching well back and muscular loin. Super bone ended in the best of feet. Balanced moderate front/rear angulations, rear quarters used to full advantage on the move, once settled. Fully settled in the challenge, and I could not resist his overall balanced proportions and youthful charms.

2 Harrison – Glenbrows Timeless

rpt

3 Smith – Nyliram Hold My Hand at Isfryn

PG (2,1)

1 Smith – Nyliram Hold My Hand at Isfryn

16 mth female - Balanced head, square muzzle with kind eye giving gentle expression. Little upright in shoulder, enough ribs and brisket, prefer a tad shorter loin. Well-off for bone and good feet. Lost topline a little but a confident mover with happy attitude and good tail action. Well-presented correctly textured jacket.

O (3,1

1 Philipson – Menstonia Meteor ShCEx - RBOB/V GRP 1

7 yr old male of good proportions. Handsome head, plenty of chiselling, good eye giving a soft expression. Strong neck into good front. His markings accentuate textbook lay of shoulder and return of upper-arm. Decent ribs and short strong loin. Good bone and feet. Kept a level topline, rear quarters having plenty of width, providing necessary drive. Just a few grey hairs on the muzzle but in tip-top condition and the consummate showman.

2 Ward – Glenbrows Flame for Tantaraviz

Feminine 2 yr old presented in excellent order. Well-balanced head, dark eye giving a soft expression. Good length to neck into OK shoulders, straight front with deep brisket. Spot-on leg length and short below the hock. Well off for bone down to good feet and pasterns. Moderate turn of stifle, moved out well with reach and drive but a little fond of tail.

SPANIEL – SUSSEX

P (1,0)

1 Allen-Line – Bjorksatras Corfitz at Deckham (IMP SWE) BPIB & RBOB

8-month-old that was hard to resist. Head of good proportions, soft expression with a glint of “naughty” in well-shaped, clean eye. Bone and ribs good for age. Sufficient leg length and excellent feet. Little fidget on the stack. Not so much the Sussex roll– more puppy excitement today. Presented in puppy coat of correct colour. Time and training will be his friend.

PG (1,0)

1 Allen-Line – Deckham Amber Sunrise

Liked her overall shape, leg length and proportions, Head with good width of skull, good eye colour though could be a little tighter. Enough bone for her size. Decent front, solid body with a good spring of rib. Matching angulations front and rear. Would like to see more positive movement with accurate footfall.

O (2,1)

1 Hipgrave – Lord of the Glittering Caves at Ternspringer BOB

Almost 3 yr old male maturing well, balanced in outline displaying a workmanlike silhouette. Strong head, broad skull with pronounced stop, good expression with frown, though eye could be a tad tighter. Strong, muscular neck of good length into a firm topline, good for length and spring of rib, with width all through. Standing on sturdy legs of good length ending in thickly padded feet. Presented in good coat - both colour and texture. True on the move. Took BOB on maturity and composure.

SHETLAND SHEEPDOGS

P (3,0)

1 Hateley – Mohnesee The Charm Master BPIB/BOB/P GRP 2

Mature sable male puppy with ring presence in abundance - a lovely outline every time I glanced at him. Balanced head, oblique/almond dark eye, correct stop. Good underjaw and perfectly tipped ears used non-stop give a wonderful expression. Nicely arched neck, balanced front and rear angulations and sweep over loins. Well set tail carried low. For age good substance (depth of chest/spring of rib) and well-off for bone, good turn of stifle and short below the hock ensured he moved out well with reach and drive (even with a change of handler in challenge)

2 Walker – Tooralie’s Vanity Pays

Not as mature as winner, lovely outline and proportions. Head still developing but has the sweetest expression with good planes, blunt wedge, correct stop and fill to muzzle. Good eye shape. Ears used to advantage but still growing into them. Spot on for size and enough bone for age. Stands on good legs and feet. Lovely arch to neck into well laid shoulders. Light effortless movement and showed balanced side gait for one so young. Coat splashed and marbled hopefully blue colour should clear as she matures. I really liked her balanced silhouette and showmanship and called her back in to take RBOB

3 Botham & Gamble – Balidorn Olympic Star

J (2,0)

1 Hateley – Mohnesee The Charm Master

2 Walker – Tooralie’s Viking Queen

Shapely, feminine tri puppy. Presents an attractive silhouette. Dark almond/oblique eyes, decent stop give desired expression. Ears used to advantage though could be lighter. Good reach of neck (enhanced by a huge white shawl) into OK shoulders. Stands on good legs and feet. Easy profile gait holding topline, but not quite the extension and drive of winner. Long well-set tail carried low. Beautifully presented with excellent colour (jet black/Persil white) and texture of jacket.

Y (0)

PG (2,1)

1 Lee -Castlerose in Spirit at Chalynwood

2.5 yrs sable. Dark eye though a little full. Slight stop, rounded muzzle with good underjaw. Slightly flared in back skull. Little more length to neck would enhance overall shape. Good bone, feet and pasterns. Movement steady and accurate, holding topline, front angulation restricted reach a little. Good rear angulation gave plenty of drive. Correct height to length ratio. Holds topline and has a well-set/carried tail. Correctly textured coat in abundance.

OD (0)

OB (3,0)

1 Hateley – Mohnesee Meliya JW

Attractive tri wearing a correctly textured jet-black jacket that enhanced her elegant make and shape. Refined head, flat skull, oblique almond eye, nicely moulded foreface with enough underjaw. Good ear set and carriage. Body balanced throughout with matching front/rear angulations. Excellent turn of stifle and short below hock. Best mover in class – light and effortless covering the ground with minimal foot lift. Long well-set tail carried low. Little unsettled with the wind and noise ringside today.

2 Jeffrey – Willowthorn Peakyblinder

Blue girl, good breed type with pleasing body proportions. Head a wedge shape but slightly flared in backskull. Well placed stop, good eye giving feminine expression. Balanced front and rear angulations. Firm topline with lovely rise over loin, enough bone for frame. Moderate turn of stifle and short below the hock. Well set long tail carried well. Moved OK - not quite the deportment of winner. Clear blue colour but carrying heavier black markings around head than I prefer.

3 Deveson – Milesend Sea Pearl

AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD

My first time judging the breed thank you for bringing them.

P (1,0)

1 Davis & Walsh – Rosschell Maid to Dazzle BPIB/RBOB/P GRP 4

Smart and stylish black tri baby of 6 mths – already showing eye-catching make and shape. Liked his head, just the right amount of masculinity. Well balanced body, lovely bone and substance, nicely arched neck, decent chest for age and correct proportions. Strong firm topline, moderate balanced angulations. One settled showed admirable reach and drive for age. Just needs to tighten up all round, in profile covers the ground well, driving off strong hocks.

J (0)

PG( 2,1)

1 Davis & Walsh – Rosschell Maid Out of the Blu BOB / GRP 1 / Best In Show

Glamorous blue merle who appeals instantly for overall balance, size and shape. Beautifull balance in head, feminine expression coming from good eyes and well-placed ears. Lovely arch to neck into well laid shoulders and matching return of upper arm. Good depth of chest and length of rib with strong loin. Well-muscled hindquarters with correct bend of stifle on well let down, strong hocks. Ultra feminine but clearly could work all day with super muscle tone – agile and athletic looking. Turned out in tip top condition and handled to perfection. Every time I glanced at her she was the perfect balanced silhouette – she took my breath away on the move.

2 Middleton – Amberslade Fire Cracker

Masculine blue dog – moderate and sound - not quite the outline of winner and little more upright in shoulder. OK head proportions though would prefer a better eye to enhance expression. Good width and depth to chest, well off for ribs. OK height to length ratio, moderate bone and good core body strength. Moves soundly in all directions but not the reach and drive of winner.

O (1,1)

COLLIE – SMOOTH

J (1,0)

1 Davies-Brown – Blamorder I Dreamed a Dream at Wystry – RBOB

Tri girl just out of puppy – basics all there but has a lot of developing/ finishing to do. Head a blunt wedge, decent stop, sweet enough expression. Her ears lost the battle against the wind today. Length of neck and correct height/length ratio. Needing time to mature and drop into frame. Correct bone for size with decent pasterns and feet. Matching front and rear angulations. Took her time to settle but showed me enough - a little untidy coming towards me. Long well set/carried tail. In between coats.

PG (1,0)

1 Seager – Blamorder Scale Force with Freejack

Top sized, powerful tri dog – 4 yrs. Jet black harsh jacket that gleamed in the sun. Decent wedge head, fill of muzzle and enough underjaw. Expression could be enhanced with a more oblique eye. Having a tricky time with his ears. Presented in amazing condition and musculature. More front angulation would allow him greater reach on the move. With a change of handler in the challenge he was more settled.

O (2,0)

1 Seager – Blamorder Magic Maker with Freejack JW – BOB

Sable - took this class on substance and body condition. I last judged him aged 8 months and crikey he has matured on. Wedge shaped head, flat backskull and good fill of foreface. Head is now a little strong for my preference and could benefit from a softer eye. Well tipped ears that were used to advantage. Presents an impressive outline and no doubting his masculinity. Strong, nicely arched neck and well-constructed body throughout. Well off for ribs, strong loin, bone and body complement his top-end frame. Standing on good legs, tight elbows, flexible pasterns and correct feet. Topline held throughout, excellent muscle tone ensures he moves out with plenty of power and impressive side gait.

2 Jerrett – Coldelee Eternal Sunshine JW

Sable– ultra feminine, would just like more of her all over. Moulded wedge-shaped head, correct stop, almond shaped eyes giving sweetest expression with enough underjaw. Balanced outline, good body proportions with a nicely arched neck, matched front and rear angulations. Long tail that she carried well. Just coming back off a litter and has lost condition which cost her today. In a few months’ time with coat and condition, she will present a different picture.