Irish Setter Breeders Club

The Irish Setter Breeders Club Championship Show March 28, 2026 Stoneleigh, Coventry Huge thanks to the hard-working committee for making me so welcome and organising such a well-run, friendly show. I’m also grateful to my efficient stewards and of course, the exhibitors for giving me the privilege of judging their dogs. It is nearly three years since I last judged and I felt that today, movement had improved. There were fewer overweight dogs and temperaments appeared good. However, I was disappointed to find quite a few dogs that I felt were slab sided and lacking in spring of rib and also a number of high tails. I was surprised too to see some with closely shaved necks down to fore chest, which to me, spoils a balanced outline. As my co-judge had previously handled my best dog, BIS and RBIS were decided by the referee and she chose the two bitch winners, both of whom I admired immensely. My co-judge and I agreed that BPIS was the bitch puppy, a well made, promising youngster who scored over the BPD on maturity. BVIS was the dog over a beautiful elderly lady who is just beginning to show her age. My best dog and CC winner, Bott’s Bardonhill Million to One, stood out in an excellent limit class for his style and substance. At four years old, he is in his prime and in top condition with a rich dark coat, strong all through but elegant with it, flowing lines and nothing exaggerated. His head is perfectly balanced and masculine without coarseness with dark eye and alert expression. He powered round the ring with head up, tail going and effortless stride. I discovered afterwards he is near to becoming a show champion and I hope that happens soon. My RCC winner, Crocker & Frost’s Ronaldo Lofty at Riverbrue (Imp Pol) , caught my eye as he came into the ring and went on to win a good graduate class. At only just two years old, he is mature for his age, not a big dog but perfectly proportioned with good spring of rib and gently sloping topline. He is stunning on the move, racy and driving from behind with good reach at front. I was told afterwards I had given his sire a CC some years ago and this boy has the same movement. Minor puppy (2) 1. Pullen & Atkin’s Covarney Can’t Hear You at Jacingail. Only seven months so still to body up but good top line and tailset and strong hindquarters. Needs to settle on the move but that will come. Very promising. 2. Turner’s Dazycutter Blazing Fire. Just a baby at six months so needs time but essentials are there and he showed nice, steady movement when settled. Puppy 2 (1a) 1. Poole’s Gwendariff Ring Aring Aroses. Rangey boy as often happens at nine months but could see his potential when stacked, and he will be an elegant dog. He has a nicely chiselled head and good reach of neck into well set shoulders and well let down hocks at rear. Untidy on the move at first but he got his act together to win Best Puppy Dog. 2 Hardy’s Cafotaliena Play with Fire. Preferred overall balance of one but this pup moved steadily with good tail action and topline. Dark eye and pleasing head. Junior 5 (1a) 1. Frampton’s Strathmead Tennessee Waltz (AI). Loved this young dog’s movement and he is well balanced for his age. Clean lines with correct topline, enough spring of rib and he has a soft, gentle expression and pleasing head. 2. Foster’s Ixia Boys Don’t Cry at Shanoah. Just preferred body of one but this young lad has a lovely head and although he played up on the move, did enough to show he could reach out and move with drivel when it suited him. 3 Hyslop’s Gwendariff Little White Lie (IKC). Yearling 3 1. Gilbert’s Kerrimere Night Breeze among Joanmas. Handsome boy with classic head that reminds me of dogs from the past. Well presented with gleaming coat. Strong all through but still retaining elegance and balance. Moved well. 2. Richardson’s Bluesprings Linda’s Legacy at Forestfire. A happy boy who made me smile and was full of Irish setter vim and vigour. Used tail well on move and has a balanced outline. 3. Harris’s Fairhaven Young Soul for Konakakela (Imp Swe). Maiden 1 & Novice 1 (1a) 1. Shepherd’s Casachared Mr Delaney’s Son. Only a youngster at 12 months, enjoying his day out. Smooth, gleaming coat, well set shoulders and enough reach of neck. Time is on his side. Undergraduate 4 (1a) 1. Gilbert’s K Night Breeze among Joanmas. 2. Wheeldon’s Quensha Fine and Dandy at Colemist. Upstanding dog, just preferred tail carriage of one on the move. Pleasing head and expression. 3. Mathews’ Gwendariff Stupid Cupid. Graduate 7 (3a) Excellent class. 1. Crocker & Frost’s Ronaldo Lofty at Riverbrue (imp Pol) RCC 2. Sheldon’s Bardonhill That’s All Right at Delsanto. Liked this dog’s type and lashing tail on the move. Well balanced with excellent spring of rib. Preferred his head to three. Pleasing all over but just not the presence and movement of one. 3. Bott & Allen & Morgan’s Quensha The One Man Show (AI) . Postgraduate 4 (5a) 1. Jacobs & Bernard’s Forfarian Fancy Footwork. Really liked this dog with his dark coat with plenty of movement in it, good spring of rib, sufficient length of neck, and sloping topline. No exaggerations, moved well when settled. 2. Corless’s Swiftlark Invincible. Close up to one but just not quite the same flowing movement but a good dog and needs to be gone over to appreciate his attributes. 3. Murray’s Henaleas Maximilian with Derrydore. Mid limit 7 (1a) 1. Corless’s Swiftlark Spellbinder. Went round the ring with style and drive, using his tail. Liked his kind expression and dark eye. Well angulated fore and aft, correct topline and tail set and good spring of rib. A sound, honest type of dog. 2. Sheldon’s Bardonhill A Million Ways to Delsanto.. Melting eye and expression, well presented and balanced on the stack, lovely movement but not quite the drive of one. 3. Pullen & Atkin’s Covarney Pickpocket at Jacingail. Limit 7 (1a) 1. Bott’s Bardonhill Million to One CC 2. Kolbach’s Kerryfair Zoom in on Pawsword. Happy boy - motored round the ring with lashing tail, drive from the back and good reach at front. Not a big dog but well balanced and unfortunate to meet one. 3. Cohen’s Lynwood Merry May King with Shushana. Open 4 (1WD) 1. Glonekova’s UKSHCH/CIE BIS/BISS Ch Glimmer Noblesse Fascination . Hard to believe this dog is nearly eight years old as he moved like a youngster round the ring but that’s Irish for you! Loved his sloping topline, tail set, clean reach of neck and elegant but unmistakeably masculine head. Close up for RCC. 2 . Danks’ Sh Ch Alofrana All I Ask of Eveandabec .Just preferred head on one but this is a beautiful dog. Dark coat, strong powerful movement, deep chest, sloping topline and lashing tail on the move. 3.Edwards’ Sh Ch Coppers Get Off My Cloud by Bonhomie (Imp Swe). Veteran 2 (2a) 1. Murchison’s Kerryfair Please Please Me Corphin. Seven years young and looking good - impressive stacked with dark coat. Decisive movement , good tail set and topline. Gentle eye. Well deserved to win BVIS. 2. Pikes’ Redclyst Boris. Coming up nine years and had to give way to younger dog but well presented and a credit to his owner. Elegant and happy boy. Special beginners 2 (1a) 1. Fulls’ Henaleas Go West at Teignestuary. Nice dog, two year old with dark coat, good reach of neck and well balanced with well let down hocks. Appealing head and expression. 2. Spencer’s Sheldonite More Romance. Preferred movement of one but this boy has a smooth, gleaming coat, dark eye and well balanced head. FLO BARKER (Judge)