Midland English Setter Society

MIDLAND ENGLISH SETTER SOCIETY CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW A 

February 8th 2026

Thank you to MESS for inviting me to judge one of their two championship shows, to my stewards and especially to the exhibitors for such a lovely entry making my day very special.  

I think the biggest change since I started showing in the early 70s is in heads. The standard calls for a reasonably lean head. Over the years they seem to have become narrower with less working. There are still a number of large open feet and movement let some dogs down. Having said that I was very pleased with my winners and it was one of the nicest entries I’ve judged for some time.

Class 1 - Minor Puppy Dog. Three promising puppies

1st: Lawson’s Summerseve Cezanne

What a beautiful tricolour puppy 7 months old. He has the most beautiful outline and is so well balanced. Built on clean lines he flows from head to tail. He has the most beautiful balance of fore and hind angulation with long sloping shoulders with an upper arm to match and elbows close to his body matched with well turned quarters. Good head, firm topline and a strong loin. Although a bit rolly poly on the move as you would expect he showed reach and great positivity for his tender years. Rather unsure to start with but by the end of the class had settled and did enough to win it. I loved him. Best Puppy in Show

2nd: Howarth’s Samelen Enchanto At Moorbrook

Another lovely puppy, 6 month orange. He has a good forehand with sloping shoulders and an upper arm to match. Well sprung ribs with good depth of brisket, super strong quarters with good width and well turned stifles. Well boned. just needs a bit more time to come together in hind movement.

3rd: Stephenson’s Bondgate Midnight Drama

 Well grown month 7 month blue with lovely substance and bone. Beautiful head already showing nice working. Long sloping shoulders with good upper arm bringing his elbows under his body and quarters to match. Oh so naughty but he has the rest of his life to behave.

Class 2 - Puppy Dog

1st: Summerseve Cezanne

2nd: Bondgate Midnight Drama

Class 3 - Veteran Dog

1st: Danks-Kemish’s SH CH Ravensett Work Of Art At Alolfrana JW

Beautiful 8 year old orange so balanced and typey with a lovely head eye and expression. He is clean through the forehand with well placed shoulders and good return of upper arm. Well bodied with lovely depth and well sprung ribs. Nicely angulated quarters. Moved really well with style on a positive stride with lovely tail action. BVIS

2nd: Wilson’s IR SH CH Ravensett Giovanni

Another lovely orange 7 years of age. He has beautiful balance with a flowing outline and good top line with a lovely tail set. Typical head, clean through the forehand with long sloping shoulders matched by his upper arm. Sound and true on the move just not the style of 1.

3rd: Lawson’s Wansleydale Dorian Gray JW ShCEx OSW

 Typey 8 year old tri with the most beautiful head and expression and a kindly eye. Balanced angulation fore and aft with strong quarters and low hocks. Sound and true on the move just lacked a bit of sparkle.

Junior: (6)

1st: Neath’s Albadora Total Madness

Absolutely beautiful blue dog so well balanced and typey with flowing lines. He has an exquisite old fashioned head with lovely balance of muzzle to skull with beautiful chiselling. Well laid shoulders with elbows close to his body, good spring of rib with short couplings. Strong quarters and lovely round bone. One part flows seamlessly into the next with no visible joins. On the move he was very true and unexaggerated going with an even stride. I could have brought him home. Reserve CC.

2nd: Szal’s Goldbirch Northern Jazz

Elegant blue with a clean outline. Good lay back of shoulder but a wee bit straighter in upper arm. Well coupled with a strong loin. Strong quarters with good bend of stifle. Moved freely.

3rd: McDowell’s Byedales Inspector Clueso

Tri of substance. Good head, well sprung ribs, Well turned stifles and a good tail set. Just little short on the leg which unbalanced him slightly.

Yearling: (6)

1st: Arkley’s’s Oshowa Dream Lover

Balanced and typey blue with a lovely outline. Old fashioned sort. Clean forehand with good shoulders and upper arm of good length. Lovely head. Deep through the brisket with a nice topline and tail set. Strong quarters in balance with his forehand. True easy mover.

2nd: Beasley’s Latjeata Jack’s The Lad JW

 Another nice blue with a lovely head. Reachy neck into well laid shoulders with tight elbows. Good spring of rib and strong through the loin. Well angulated quarters. Moved well on an even stride. Not quite as finished yet as 1.

3rd: Pitts and Normansell’s Larrenie Heartthrob

Very mature tricolour. Good head, shoulders well laid back, big ribs and sweeping quarters. just a tad short on the leg and preferred the movement of above.

Maiden: (2)

1st: Summerseve Cezanne

2nd: Samelen Enchanto At Moorbrook

Novice: (4,1)

1st: Summerseve Cezanne

2nd: Byedales Inspector Clueso

3rd: Horne’s Pewterspeare Porter

 Blue with typical head, sloping shoulders and a good top line. Well angulated quarters and strong pasterns. Moved OK.

Tyro: (5)

1st: Goldbirch Northern Jazz

2nd: Wilson’s Sharnyx Reyncloud At Lucanix

Typey blue with good head. Long sloping shoulders with matching upper arm. Strong topline and well coupled with good depth through the brisket. Moved on an even stride.

3rd: Summerseve Cezanne

Graduate: (7,1)

1st: Arkle’s Tattersett Blue Lord JW

Smart blue with a lovely outline, strong topline and well set tail. Sloping shoulders and upper arm of equal length. Good depth brisket. Wide sweeping quarters. Best mover in the class and went on a good stride.

2nd: Stead’s Ravensett Illusionist Of Settavista

Blue with a nice head. Made a nice shape on the stack with clean outline. Sloping shoulders but not quite the upper arm. Good spring of rib and well turned stifles. Couldn’t match 1 on the move.

3rd Whittington’s Culverwell Magic Touch

Orange dog of substance. Long sloping shoulders and barrelled ribs. Super quarters, well turned stifles and good width of second thigh. True mover.

Post Graduate: (8,3)

1st: Goutorbe’s Wansleydale Beekeeper At Redhara

Upstanding tricolour with super forehand. Long sloping shoulders with matching upper arm setting his elbows well under his body. Lovely front. Beautiful head and eye. Well ribbed with good depth and a strong loin. Well turned quarters. Lovely length of stride on the move.

2nd: Ciaputa’s Ravensett Cote D’azur JW

Very finished orange with a lovely head. Balanced moderate angulation fore and aft. Nice outline. Well ribbed with good depth and a strong loin. Preferred his tail set and croup to 1 but didn't have the forehand so although a sound mover just lacked his reach.

3rd: King’s Sirius Blue Heaven At Grantastar

Tricolour with well angulated forehand and strong matching quarters. Well ribbed up. I found him slightly exaggerated in head but he was a good mover on an even stride.

Mid Limit: (2)

1st: Osmon’s Bournehouse Sirocco Over Marissolo JW

Lovely tri. So clean and elegant with a super flowing outline. Lovely head, good front with long sloping shoulders and elbows well tucked in. Has good depth and is well ribbed up with strength through the loin. Strong quarters with good turn of stifle. In lovely coat and feathering. True on the move with a balanced stride. Shortlisted for the ticket.

2nd: Thomson’s Maursett Morganite For Caspelwyndd

Well made tri. Not the elegance of 1 but has a lovely head. Well angulated forehand with sweeping quarters to match and good width of second thigh. Strong pasterns. Well sprung ribs with good depth. Moved freely.

Limit: (3)

1st: Darley’s Severnsett Gold Soverign

Lovely orange with a nicely balanced outline. Beautiful head. Shoulders long and sloping with good return of upper arm bringing his elbows under his body. His ribs are well sprung with good depth and a short strong loin. Low set hocks. Moved freely with a good length of stride using his tail. Shortlisted for the ticket.

2nd: Whittington’s Juldeane Line Of Duty (AI)

Nice orange with a lovely head and low set ears. Not quite the finished picture of 1 but he has well placed shoulders, well sprung ribs and good couplings. Well angulated quarters. True and steady on the move.

3rd: Snook’s Moorbrook Mogul Of March

Dark blue with a nice outline. Good head, lengthy neck flowing into well laid back shoulders. Not quite the upper arm or front of above but has good depth through the brisket and well sprung ribs.

Open: (10/4)

1st: Seaman’s Sh Ch Mariglen Just George

Beautiful blue. So elegant and typey. Built on clean lines. Flows all through with no ugly joins. Lovely head, reachy neck with good front with tight elbows, Clean through the forehand with strong pasterns and balanced angulation fore and aft. Well coupled and has nicely angulated quarters. Unexaggerated movement going freely with style. CC and RBIS

2nd: Williams’ Bournehouse Gamekeeper

Nicely balanced orange of substance. Tidy mover with a balanced stride and very positive hind action using his tail. Gun barrel front with tight elbows and sloping shoulders. Super spring of rib with Good depth and short coupled. Neat feet and wide quarters. Just preferred the elegance of 1.

3rd: Cook’s Sh Ch Pernickety Quiddity

Orange who scored in movement going freely with drive on a balanced stride. Just sloped away a bit in topline but has long sloping shoulders and strong pasterns with well angulated quarters to match.

Special Beginners (7,2)

1st: Ravensett Cote d’Azur JW

2nd: Ravesnsett Illusionist Of Settavista

3rd: Moorbrook Mogul Of March

Minor Puppy Bitch: (4,1)

1st: Atyeo’s Samelen Ethereal Legacy

Balanced 6 month tri who was very finished and coordinated for her age. Good head, lovely spring of rib with good depth and a short strong loin. Nice bend of stifle and neat feet. Poised on the move going steadily and truly.

2nd: Stead’s Bondgate Miss Melodramatic of Settavista

Elegant 7 month blue. Well laid shoulders with nicely angulated lengthy upper arm. Elbows well under her body. Reachy neck and I preferred her front but she was nothing like as together as 1. Well angulated quarters. Rather all over the place on the move but she is promising.

3rd: Whitehouse’s Summerseve Tea Set

 7 month tri with a super forehand having long sloping shoulders and a good return of upper arm of equal length. Well turned quarters match her forehand with low set hocks. Just needs to gain confidence and settle on the move.

Puppy Bitch: (4)

1st: Wynne-Evans’s Droveborough One Love

Sweet tri with a super forehand. Built on elegant lines. Her shoulders are long, sloping and clean with an equal return of upper arm matched by equal hind angulation giving her sweeping quarters and beautiful movement with a lovely hind action. BPB

2nd: Rumble’s Bushbane Celtic Envoy

Orange of substance. Lovely head, shoulders were laid back but not quite the upper arm which tended to make her pick up slightly in front on the move although she went well behind. Big ribs and great depth. Wide quarters.

3rd: Bondgate Miss Melodramatic of Settavista

Veteran Bitch: (4)

1st:Grimsdell’s Sh Ch Tattersett Dark Honey

Lovely 8 year old orange with beautiful clean lines. She is so balanced and each part flows into the next seamlessly. Super front with good reach of neck, clean shoulders and nice feet and pasterns. Deep body with strength through the loin. Clean, easy and free on the move. She just flagged at the end against the dog. RBVIS

2nd: Rumble’s Jotunheim Ooh La La

Well made 8 year old orange with a lovely head and expression. Long sloping shoulders. Lovely spring of rib with good depth through the brisket. Super wide sweeping quarters which gave her good hind action on the move, just not as tidy in front.

3rd: Beasley’s Wansleydale Amaretto At Latjeata VW

 Elegant 8 year old tri with a lovely head. Clean outline. Nice depth and well angulated quarters. Sloping shoulders but straighter in upper arm meaning that although she was true on the move she didn't have quite the reach.

Junior Bitch : (11,3)

1st:Watkin’s Albadora Totally Yours For Valsett JW

Beautifully balanced orange with a lovely head. Clean outline. Good front, long sloping shoulders with well angulated upper arm of good length and neat feet. Big ribs with good depth and a nice topline. Strong sweeping quarters. Lovely mover on a good stride.

2nd: Isherwood’s Larrenie Paperheart Of Laverstoke

 Mature tri with a lovely head. Shoulders well laid back with barreled ribs and good depth of brisket and good couplings. Strong quarters. Moved on and even stride. Just preferred the clean lines of 1

3rd: Parrish’s Tawnymeade Moonflower

 Another mature tri. Good head. Big ribs with good depth of brisket. well angulated quarters and low set hocks. In lovely coat just a little longer cast. Unexaggerated mover.

Yearling Bitch: (7)

1st: Welburn’s Oshowa Just A Dream

Typey blue with a lovely head and expression. Straight front, well angulated shoulders and upper arm and good pasterns. Flowing outline. Good spring of rib and depth of brisket with a short strong loin. Sweeping quarters with low hocks. Moved truly on an even stride with elegance.

2nd: Beasley’s Latjeata Cup Of Kindness

Nice orange with clean outline. Lovely head. Shoulders and upper arm of equal length. Well turned quarters with low hocks. Slightly longer cast. She moved well when she settled.

3rd: Forrest’s Elvistar Falling In Love

Mature tri with a nice head. Good bone with a strong topline. Lovely depth and well ribbed back. Strong quarters. Unexaggerated mover.

Maiden Bitch: (4,1)

1st: Bondgate Miss Melodramatic of Settavista

2nd: Askew’s Droveborough Hey Jude

Sweet blue. Well bodied with big ribs extending well back. Shoulders and upper arm of equal length. Well made quarters with good bend of Stifle. Not quite the front of 1 but moved OK.

3rd: Reid’s Diersett Moon Of The Skies

Well bodied orange with big ribs extending well back to good couplings. Not quite the elegance but has well made quarters. Strong pasterns. Sound mover.

Novice: (5,1)

1st: Wynne-Evans’ Walshaw Let’s Dance For Droveborough

Balanced orange who won on her movement which was true with an even stride. Strong quarters with a good bend of stifle and low hocks. Well sprung ribs and a firm topline.

2nd: Bondgate Miss Melodramatic of Settavista

3rd: Bayliss’ Dyrham Girl On Fire

Elegant tri. Typical head. Reachy neck. Balanced moderate angulation fore and aft. Clean outline. Not quite the fluidity on the move.

Tyro: (5,1)

1st: Tawnymeade Moonflower

2nd: Bondgate Miss Melodramatic of Settavista

3rd: Tompsett’s Radbrooks Walk Of Life

Blue with lovely spring of rib and good depth of brisket. Well angulated shoulders but upper arm a tad short and rather wide in front. Lovely broad quarters with good bend of stifle. Moved OK.

Graduate: (7)

1st: Whiting and Grant’s Kanietter Sassy Seastar At Ormistiga IR JCH

Lovely dark blue with a clean outline and built on flowing lines. Good reach of neck into well angulated shoulders and a good topline. Neat feet. Deep through the brisket. Strong quarters with well turned stifles. Initially crabbed on the move but when handler changed hands she went well on a good stride.

2nd: Risdill’s Sharnyx She's So Pretty

Pretty orange with a good head. Shoulders and upper arm well angulated and in proportion. Good bone, big ribs and good couplings. Sweeping quarters. Moved well just not quite the stride of 1.

3rd: Wynne-Evans’ Droveborough Blue Pearl

Old fashioned type dark blue. Well angulated shoulders, decent upper arm with elbows under her body. well sprung ribs and a strong topline. Sweeping quarters. Good mover.

Post Graduate: (8,4)

1st: Welburn’s Oshowa Love To Dream

Beautiful blue so typey and balanced with each part flowing nicely into the next. Good head. Lovely forehand with long sloping shoulders and well angulated upper arm bringing her elbows under her body. Short pasterns. Lovely spring of rib and good couplings with strength over the loin. Wide sweeping quarters. True and elegant on the move with a good stride. Shortlisted for the ticket.

2nd: Risdill’s Sharnyx Here's Bonnie

Nice blue with well angulated shoulders. Lovely spring of rib and deep through the brisket with a strong loin. Preferred the outline of above but has wide sweeping quarters. True mover.

3rd: Elvistar Falling in Love

Mid Limit: (2)

1st: Taylor’s Wansleydale Honey Bee JW

Most beautiful tri built on clean lines. She has a lovely flowing outline with all parts flowing seamlessly into each other. Lovely head and expression with a kind eye. Most beautiful forehand with clean well angulated shoulders and a super return of upper arm. Neat feet. Good topline with well sprung ribs and a strong loin. Strong sweeping quarters. Lovely mover going on a free and easy stride with good reach and drive. CC and BIS.

2nd: McLoughlin’s Arabin Silver Panda

Tri of substance. Not the elegance of 1 but super bone, big ribs with good depth of brisket and strong over the loin. Strong well angulated quarters. Sound mover.

limit: (6) A lovely class and so close between the first 3.

1st: Welburn’s Oshowa Dream Come True

Super typey blue, so well balanced and with lovely flowing lines. Lovely head and eye with a gentle expression. Lovely forehand with long sloping shoulders flowing into a good topline. She has barrelled ribs with good depth and extending well back to a strong loin. Wide sweeping quarters with low hocks. Her movement was free and easy on a good stride. Reserve CC.

2nd: Williams’s Bournehouse Satin And Lace

Lovely blue with a clean outline. Shoulders and upper arm of equal length. Well bodied. Super top line and tail set. She has a good spring of rib and is short and strong through the loin. Her quarters are strong with a good turn of stifle and neat hocks. Just preferred the head of 1 but she is a lovely true mover with a good foot fall.

3rd: Hutchinson and Dennis’s Mariglen My Heart Will Go On With Monaysbridge JW

Beautiful blue. Elegant with a clean outline. Super shoulders and matching upper arm, strong pasterns. Lovely topline and tail set. Sweeping quarters. I understand her handler is due to have an operation and the two of them were just not singing from the same hymn sheet and she had to give way on movement. Three lovely bitches.

Open: (11,3)

1st: Grimsdell’s Sh Ch Tattersett Dark Amber

Beautifully made orange so well balanced and with a lovely clean outline. Good head. Lovely front. Clean through the forehand, sloping shoulders with good return of upper arm. Lovely topline. Deep through the brisket and strong in loin. Strong muscled quarters. Tidy mover on a free and balanced stride. Shortlisted for the ticket.

2nd: Darley’s Severnsett Dark Angel

 Typey blue with a super head and expression. Super forehand with long sloping shoulders and matching upper arm, elbows well under her body and good forechest. Flowing outline. Strong sweeping quarters with good width of second thigh. Moved well with a reachy stride.

3rd: Loakes’ Sh Ch Goldbirch Hearts Desire JW ShCEx

Elegant tri. Sweet head, nice reach of neck into a good topline. Shoulders well angulated. Good turn of stifle with low hocks. Clean and elegant on the move.

Special Beginners (9,3)

1st: Bennet’s Wansleydale Busy As A Bee At Caprow

Balanced tri with a typical head. Shoulders and upper arm well angulated and of equal length. Big ribs and good depth of brisket. Nicely angulated quarters. Sound unexaggerated mover. Best Special Beginners.

2nd: Williams’s Goldbirch Northern Disco At Skippit JW

Elegant blue with well sprung ribs, good depth and a strong short loin. Balanced moderate angles. Sound and together on the move.

3rd: Bondgate Miss Melodramatic of Settavista

Carol Guy