National Whippet Association

National Whippet Association Championship Show - 4th May 2026

I was very honoured to be asked to judge an entry of 96 Bitches at NWA . Thank you to all the sporting exhibitors, it was a pleasure going over your lovely Bitches. Coats on the whole were clean with just a couple of exhibits whose teeth could have been cleaner. There were no excessively long nails but a few with nails trimmed back so far that they were like the stub of a pencil, very unattractive. I would also like to make mention of the young handlers who handled their bitches with kindness and skill. You are the future of showing.

And finally what I was looking for and found were bitches that were feminine and looked like bitches and most exhibits hit the mark.

Baby puppy 0/0

Two lovely classes to start my day. And just shows that whippets can move from being lovely puppies to classic veterans. All in super condition.

Veteran 7-10yrs (7,7)

1. Mrs Tl & Mr Pd Lawley Crosscop, Its Magic for Lawley Moon – Classic Fawn 8 years old who definitely does not look her age. Attractive feminine head. well-made throughout, Beautiful coat condition. Still moving out soundly and could not be denied a well-deserved Best Veteran in Show and surprised that she hasn’t been made up.

2. Wilkinson, Citycroft Starfall JW, VW OSW - Fawn with white trim, another who does not show her age. Feminine head with lovely expression. Good length of neck, well laid shoulders and good hind angulation. A bit longer cast than 1 but she moved out well and really pushed for first place. Could swop places on another day

3. Lain, CH Lolani Tennessee Honey

Veteran 10+ yrs ( 6,5)

1. Fisher-Home & Home’s CH Citycroft Creme Caramel of Jasarat JW. Topped a lovely class of older veteran bitches, 10 years old, fawn with white trim, Feminine throughout, Loved her head and expression, good length of neck and a correct topline and well-made behind which, she moved out soundly

2. Stevens, Dolce Diva Divine N Delary at Jagsteal (Imp Ita), 10 years old, Fawn Brindle, attractive head and lovely dark eye, well-made throughout, moved out well enough.

3. Leathart Ringmore Day Lily

Minor Puppy (7,6)

1. Howgate & Hull Palmik Raindrop, Fawn Brindle 8 months old, good for size. Nice head, good length of neck, good topline and well let down hocks. She moved out well around the ring, her handler getting the best out of her. Overall a promising youngster.

2. Tyson, Starceylon She’s Just a Lady – beautiful black coat with white trim that really captures the eye. Nothing is overdone nor is there anything lacking. Lovely head, good length of neck. She moved out smartly and can cover the ground, another promising puppy

3. Carlton, Chiendetom Rhapsody in Blue

Puppy ( 7,7)

1. Johnson, Danluke Legs Eleven, A very confident and well-presented cream fawn girl. An attractive head, good length of neck and a good front. Good overall length of rib and with well let down hocks. The whole construction allowed her to move soundly coming and going and with drive in profile. She was my Best puppy Bitch and was thrilled to see her go Best Puppy in show on the referees decision

2. Ellis, Silkridge Silhouette Over Railfield, Black with white trim, very attractive and elegant puppy. She still looks more like a minor puppy but that isn’t a bad thing, she will just need time to mature. I loved her head and her elegant neck and her curvy topline. Well angulated behind she was able to move out well enough. Her time will come.

3. Saxby, Sandspring Sophia Loren

Junior ( 7,7)

1. Perkins & Van Der Schaaf, Silkridge Mistletoe Smooch – Fawn with white trim, very eye catching on the move. Good for size. She has a decent head and dark eye, a good length of neck and topline leading to well let down hocks. She really can move out soundly while keeping her topline.

2. Tyson, Starceylon Lagioconda, brindle bitch, Very attractive young bitch, lovely head, Good for size, can look a little bit compact on the stand but on the move she was sound enough. In good condition with a lovely coat.

3. Bray, Cyangrange Rosabella

Yearling (5.4)

1. Wood, Edenwhip Harvest Moon – A beautiful red Fawn girl. Feminine head with lovely expression, presented in top condition her coat just gleams, Still maturing she already has quality throughout and nothing is overdone. She has a good front and good hindquarters which allows her to move out soundly. Will watch her with interest.

2. Mallinson, Edenwhip A Moment in Time – Brindle Bitch with a lovely head and expression. Curvy in all the right places and now just needs to mature in body. Moves well enough. Again a quality young bitch from this kennel. Stands over enough ground but a lot to like.

3. Ryan, Riocife to the Moon and Back

Novice (12,11)

1. Johnson - Danluke Legs Eleven

2. Howgate and Hull Palmik Raindrop

3. Saxby, Sandspring Sophia Loren

Graduate (12,11)

1. Turnball, Gwenny Dream Diva at Turnstone Fawn and white Parti. Feminine head, good length of neck and balanced throughout her topline into well made hocks. Won on her movement in this class as she moved soundly and with drive.

2. Hoddinott, Sandspring Sea Hawk, Fawn, presented in good condition with enough muscle but not too heavy. Feminine head, good length of neck and good topline. Moved out well and was close on the heels of the 1st placed bitch

3. Thomas, Bowdonia Elphaba

Special Beginners (8,7)

1. Arbuthnot, - Lolani Crystal Moon, the first three words I started her critique with was she looks a picture. Really liked this bitch and her sympathetic handler who got the best out of her. I thought she was elegant, feminine head and nice expression. Good length of neck and a curvy topline without being overdone. Moved out well around the ring. Awarded the Best Special Beginner in show and Best Racing and coursing in show

2. Bower, Nattah Chasing the Wind to Courtbirch – Quality Blue fawn, attractive head, good length of neck into a decent topline with good ribbing and well angulated behind. Moved out well enough and again a sympathetic handler who got the best out of her.

3. Evans, Lassi Florence

Post Graduate (9,8)

1. Blake, Creme Anglaise’s Too Ho to Handle for Mazargo JW (Imp NDL) This really is a smart elegant bitch. Brindle and white she catches your eye as soon as she comes in the ring. Shown in great condition, Feminine head with a lovely length of neck. She is correct for size and moves out soundly and is at one with her handler. Her day will come

2. Lister & Swarbrick, Edenwhip Ima a Bright Star, Another typey bitch. Built on slightly stronger lines than 1 but that did not detract from her overall quality. Lovely feminine head, Good neck, good length of neck and a good front coupled with a good rear allowed her to move out well.

3. Salkeld, Dalerafenn Follow a Dream JW

Mid Limit (9,8)

1. Wignall, Starswift Seductress - Quality fawn bitch, a very honest type. Lovely feminine head, she is well put together from all angles. Good front and shoulders, good length of neck and a lovely topline and rear angulation. Moved out soundly and was the easy winner of this class

2. Howgate & Hull, Tervanty Dragon Song at Palmik JW – Pale Fawn/White Trim, A young bitch who is starting to mature nicely into herself. Attractive head. Good length of neck and a strong topline which she held on the move. Presented in top condition

3. Samson, Zoraden Orange Is Da New Blue at Romaclove

Limit (12,10)

1. Woods,s Ardencore Just a Dream. This kennel consistently produces quality bitches.

As this fawn bitch entered the ring I liked her and she didn’t disappoint. Well-built but still elegant with a feminine head and lovely expression. She is good for size, not overdone in any way. Good front and topline and decent hocks this all contributed to her sound movement, and she moved out well covering the ground with reach and drive

2. Jones, Jothryn True Way Love – Brindle feminine girl. A lot to like. Pretty head with nice expression, good length of neck, built with all the curves in the right place, not overdone in hind quarters she still stands over enough ground. Moved out well

3. Thomas, Bowdonia Sky Full of Stars JW

Open ( 8,8)

1. Perkins & Van Der Schaaf, CH Creme Anglaise’s Entourage with Silkridge JW - What is not to like about this bitch and she sure can move. She is in the best of coat and is in top condition. A feminine head, a good length of neck that flows into her topline and down to her rear construction. A curvy whippet. She isn’t a big bitch but everything is balanced and when she moves she powers around but is at one with her handler. Pleased to award her the CC and BIS with my Co-judge.

2. Woods, CH Crosscop She’s a Lady at Ardencote, a classic fawn and a feminine bitch with a lovely head and a nice expression. Curvy with no exaggerations. She moves out well and is sound. A lot to like and I was pleased to award her the Bitch RCC

3. Jones, Jothryn Manhattan Blonde JW

Special Open Racing/ Lure coursing (7,7)

1. Arbuthnot,s Lolani Crystal Moon Awarded Best Racing and Coursing in Show

2. Hoddinott, Sandspring Sea Hawk

3. Leathart, Ringmore Jocasta