Eastern Counties Golden Retriever Club

EASTERN COUNTIES GOLDEN RETRIEVER CLUB

CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW

SUNDAY 11th JANUARY 2026

BITCHES

Thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge this their 45th Championship Show, held outside of the Eastern Counties at the Royal Kennel Club building at Stoneleigh. I was aided by two wonderful stewards who kept everything running smoothly.

The Minor Puppy and Puppy classes were fabulous, full of really promising youngsters and I have to comment on the Mid Limit class in particular, I didn’t find one exhibit not worthy of a red card, the quality in that class really was high. As I have often found when judging bitches, there are many worthy Champions out there that will sadly never be recognised due to the strength of competition with our numerically high entries and exceptional quality in depth. I can only say, don’t give up, your time may yet come!

My co-judge and I agreed on all of the top awards, Best in Show being awarded to the young dog Ashbyglen Excalibur JW winning his first CC. I am delighted to report that my Bitch CC and Reserve Best in Show winner Haydengold Echo Thru Time to Alfiro was winning her third and crowning CC. Best Puppy in Show was the 6 month old bitch Pajula Dolly Daydream attending her very first show. Best Veteran in Show was the bitch Ch Goldmarker Luminara.

Minor Puppy Bitch (12, 5 Absent)

1. Wilkinson’s PAJULA DOLLY DAYDREAMER. Dark golden, caught my eye immediately on the initial move around in an impressive class, striding out freely and confidently with reach and drive. A most lovely well balanced feminine head with expressive dark eyes, reachy neck and well laid shoulders, a level topline and tail carried correctly enabling her to flow on the move, straight front and rear and well angulated all through, well boned and standing on good feet, an exciting prospect. Best Puppy Bitch and Best Puppy in Show. 

2. Weeks & Brown’s’ SYLAHRA YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE. Another eyecatcher, high quality 7 month old cream in profuse double coat, well presented. Another beautiful balanced and feminine head with dark eyes and pigment, excellent neck and shoulders and a level topline and tailset, standing four square on cat-like feet, everything in proportion enabling her to move stylishly and truly. Another who must have a bright future.    

3. Loach’s PUTJADE POP TART. Completing a trio of lovely puppies, 6 months, compactly made with everything in the right place, gentle head, good neck and shoulders, balanced all through, deep brisket and good spring of rib, true and free movement. 

Puppy Bitch (11, 2 Absent)

1. Jackson-Haines’ LEIGHSHAM LEGALLY BLONDE. Freestanding and wagging her tail, this 10 month old also caught the eye for her overall balanced and correct construction, appealing outline and gleaming mid gold coat. On the top end of the height standard and larger framed, but remains feminine with a lovely well proportioned head and gentle expression with dark eyes, good length of neck, deep through the heart and well ribbed. With good length of leg, standing correctly from all angles on strong bone and tight feet. So joyful on the move, true, free and active, displaying biddabiity co-operating happily with her handler she has ring presence.

2. Hill & Smith’s MEGARVEY COCOMELON. Very well constructed 11 month old, mid gold, just preferred the head and muzzle of 1, but she is well-proportioned and balanced, with correct angulation front and rear, a strong neck, good spring of rib, straight front and rear, excellent forehand angulation matched by equally well angled hindquarters allowing her to move soundly with free action Expertly handled and well presented.  

3. Meurisse’s YOUR HIGHNESS ALBA DU VIVIER AU BOIS. 

Junior Bitch (11, 2 Absent)

1. YOUR HIGHNESS ALBA DU VIVIER AU BOIS. 11month old darker golden, third in the last class and had to beat some high quality youngsters here, which shows the degree of excellence amongst the puppies. At her best freestanding, showing her overall correct construction, well angled front and rear enabling her to stand four square. Handler tends to stretch her making her look longer than she actually is, she is a lovely type, very feminine with a balanced head and intelligent expression from dark eyes, level topline and tailset, moves absolutely soundly with extension in profile, yet another beautiful puppy.   

2. List’s HAYDENGOLD LATEST GOSSIP JW. Feminine pale golden, compactly made, with a well balanced head and kindly expression, good length of neck, excellent forehand construction, balanced hindquarters, strong bone and cat-like feet, good spring of rib, short-coupled. Flowed on the move with level topline and tail carriage and absolutely true coming and going.   

3. Ball’s SHEARSTONE LIVE IN THE DREAM AT FIVELMS JW. Paler golden, one of the best movers here, not standing entirely straight in front which cost her the class. Otherwise a beautiful girl, so very well balanced all through, everything in proportion from her feminine head with soft expression to her neat feet, short-coupled with dead level topline and tailset, good angulation front and rear, wagging her tail, another who flows on the move.

Yearling Bitch (11, 2 Absent)

1. Buckle’s BRAZENBEACON ARTEMIS JW. Darker golden, beautifully made and a pleasure to go over’ symmetrical and balanced all through, exudes femininity yet of a workmanlike appearance, attentive to her handler, she has a beautiful well proportioned head with a kind expression from dark eyes. Though not in full coat, this enhanced her overall textbook construction Moves effortlessly with extension and drive in profile, it was a relief when she portrayed accurate footfall coming and going, so I could have no hesitation awarding her the class. Destined for top honours I am sure.   

2. Clunie’s WARRENTOR ABILENE JW. Similarly constructed to 1, a paler golden with very good forehand and hindquarter angulation, presenting a balanced outline. Feminine outlook, head well chiselled, good neck and shoulder layback, deep brisket and standing on good bone and neat feet. Carrying herself well on the move with good head carriage, sound with positive and free action.

3. Price’s SYBITON BANANARAMA. A lovely type, darker golden, not quite the bend of stifle of 1 & 2, but otherwise solid construction and balanced, with a lovely feminine head, pleasing expression, strong neck, excellent spring of rib, level topline and tailset, good bone and cat-like feet. In lovely coat and condition, well presented and another moving truly and soundly with a long free stride in profile. 

Novice Bitch (15, 5 Absent)

1. LEIGHSHAM LEGALLY BLONDE  

2. Beard’s STRETTONHILL COSTA MESA. Well presented and handled mid gold, lots to like. Feminine balanced head, mature and very well balanced all through, good neck and shoulder layback, level topline and tailset. Deep through the heart, stands truly at both ends. Good bone and tight feet, moves really well, freely and soundly.

3. Wood’s ALIBREN FIRECRACKER OF LEBUINUS. Darker Golden, 9 months old and fourth in the highly competitive puppy class, much to like, typy and compactly made, pleasing head with sweet expression, balanced with a good neck and lay of shoulder, level back, deep brisket, strong bone and cat-like feet, in good coat and condition, wagging her correctly set tail. Moves really soundly, though not quite the extension of 1 & 2.   

Debutant Bitch (11, 3 Absent)

1. LEIGHSHAM LEGALLY BLONDE  

2. Poile & Blackboro’s CHERRIMAR ELECTRA. Darker golden, only stood behind the puppy as I preferred her longer striding free action, but I liked this young girl very much, a lovely type, beautifully constructed and an equally beautiful head with dark eye and pigment, short coupled, balanced body, level topline, good upper arm and shoulder angulation and everything in proportion. Straight front and rear and moves truly coming and going.

3. McCormack & Russell’s FLYNGALEE DILLY DALLY. Mid gold, lovely balanced head and kind expression. Strongly made and well angulated all through, presenting a pleasing outline, straight front and rear, level topline and tailset, in profuse pale golden coat, well handled and presented. Moves as soundly and freely as her construction would suggest, another whom I liked immensely and who looked better and better as the day progressed. 

Undergraduate Bitch (12, 6 Absent)

1. BRAZENBEACON ARTEMIS JW

2. FLYNGALEE DILLY DALLY

3. Porter’s SHEARSTONE HASTA LA VISTA JW. Mid gold, beautiful and well balanced with a feminine well proportioned head and soft expression from dark eyes. Standing I absolutely loved her when viewed in profile, but hocks could be straighter when viewed from the rear, which was reflected in her hind movement. Otherwise, she is sound and typical, correctly angulated all through, short coupled and of a lovely type, coat gleaming and constantly wagging her well set tail, moving happily and freely. 

Graduate Bitch (12, 5 Absent)

1. King’s ASHBYGLEN I PUT A SPELL ON YOU AT TESSAVAE JW. Beautifully constructed, presented and handled, nothing out of place, a quality pale golden with a feminine outlook. Well balanced head, good length of neck, well laid shoulders, level topline and tailset, good spring of rib. Strongly made and standing four square on good bone and feet, with excellent angulation front and rear. Moved soundly and accurately with extension and drive.         

2. Robbins & Rowark’ BREKSWOOD HONEY BEE JW. Another quality mid gold in full coat, also beautifully handled and presented. Feminine, moderate, balanced, compactly and correctly made, excellent forehand construction with equal hindquarter angulation, straight when viewed from front and rear. Moved out well with free action, maintaining her level topline and tailset, a close decision between 1 & 2, they will change places often.  

3. Cowper’s MULFIELD MOONLIT SKY OVER GARMORAN. Movement won this girl her place, could not be ignored with reachy front movement and driving in profile, moving effortlessly and freely, equally as true coming and going. She is feminine with a balanced head though would prefer more chiselling. She carries herself well with a good length of neck, exemplary angulation at both ends, is well balanced all through, a picture completed by a dense well presented cream coat

Post Graduate Bitch (11, 4 Absent)

1. Officer’s CLEDDANS NEW BEGINNINGS. A most beautiful dark golden in gleaming coat and hard condition, eyecatching with harmonious construction, perfectly balanced and always standing correctly four square on strong bone and cat-like feet. Feminine well proportioned head nicely chiselled, feminine and kind expression. Good length of neck flowing into well laid shoulders, deep brisket and plenty of heartroom, straight limbs and well angulated. My notes say movement just fabulous, both coming and going and in profile with a long free and easy stride. Sympathetically handled and attentive, I love everything about her, wish she was mine! 

2. Pratt’s ROSYTH KIND OF MAGIC. Another lovely feminine bitch of different type, solidly constructed and well made all through, beautiful balanced head with dark eyes, presents a lovely outline with correct front angulation, straight when viewed from front and rear, well angulated hindquarters, good bone and cat-like feet. Mature with good spring of rib and a well presented dark golden wavy coat. Moved freely and truly, another lovely example of the breed. 

3. Crookes & Jenkinson’s THORNYWAIT ROYAL STORY FOR QUAKERHALL JW. Very well constructed quality mid gold, pleasing feminine head with intelligent expression, good length of neck and well laid shoulders, good return of upper arm and well angulated hindquarters. Her smoother coat gives a lovely outline. Unlucky to meet 1 & 2 who stood out for me for overall type, movement and balance.

Mid Limit Bitch (9)

1. Smithie’s HAYDENGOLD ECHO THRU TIME TO ALFIRO. Hard to ignore with such ring presence, oozing quality, standing freely four square and wagging her tail constantly, at one with her handler and with an intelligent expression from dark eyes asking ‘what do you want me to do next?’ To be super critical, would prefer more upper arm angulation to better place her forelegs under the body, but she is so sound in every respect, balanced and obviously ft for function. With her effervescent personality, feminine outlook, beautifully presented dark golden wavy coat and absolutely sound free and active movement, always holding a level topline and equally level tail carriage at all times, she fills the eye. In strong competition she was just asking to be awarded the class followed by the CC. 

2. McCormack’s FLYGALEE BUSY BOO. Mid gold, strongly and soundly made yet feminine with a balanced head and sweet expression from dark eyes, set on a strong neck of good length, mature with well laid shoulders and spring of rib with good forechest, correctly angulated front and rear, well off for bone and cat-like feet. Not overdone in any way, well handled and moved levelly and truly with extension and drive.

3. O’Neill’s TULLOCHMOHR SHOOTING STAR AT GLYNERVA JW. Pale wavy coated golden in a smaller but perfectly formed frame. Ultra feminine with a very pretty head, expressive dark eyes and neat ears, just preferred the length of neck of 1 & 2, her topline is dead level with corresponding tail set, short coupled and well balanced with plenty of bone and cat-like feet. Faultless movement, absolutely true coming and going from her straight front and rear and striding out in profile.

Limit Bitch (18, 5 Absent)

1. Clunie’s WARRENTOR NOHKALIKAI JW. From a shortlist of 7, this bitch ticks all of the boxes, an honest workmanlike yet feminine bitch shown in gleaming dark golden wavy double coat, very well presented and handled. Well-proportioned and chiselled head with good width and depth of muzzle, dark eyes and pigment, very good neck and shoulders, level topline, excellent angulation front and rear, deep brisket and well ribbed back, strongly made with good bone and cat-like feet, in hard condition. Perfectly balanced, my eye kept being drawn to her in a strong class. On the move she powers around the ring with effortless ease and is so very sound, absolutely straight and true coming and going, fit for function and difficult to ignore she is definitely worthy of her title. Res CC.

2. List’s HAYDENGOLD TIME TO REMEMBER. Close up, another beautiful darker golden so well presented and handled, glistening coat presenting a lovely outline. Feminine with a lovely balanced head, text book forehand angles equally matched by well bent stifles, strong straight limbs, a neck of good length, table top level back, short coupled and correctly set tail. Well boned with tight feet, another with effortless free flowing and absolutely correct movement, destined for the top. 

3. CLEDDANS NEW BEGINNINGS.  

Open Bitch (7, 1 Absent)

1. Hill & Smith’s SH CH MEGARVEY CLEMENTINE JW. Gave her a class last time I judged bitches and am pleased she has since gained her well deserved title. Headed a class in which I really was spoilt for choice, now fully mature and fully furnished, mid gold so perfectly balanced and harmoniously constructed with a beautiful feminine well-proportioned and expressive head An accurate, sound and stylish mover, a high class Golden in every respect.        

2. Loverock, Waldron Smith & Zubair’s SH CH THORNYWAIT STARSTRUCK WITH LOVISSA JW. Another worthy Champion whom I have long admired, different in type to 1 with good length of leg, splitting hairs on the day, just preferred the tighter front feet of my winner, but that is not to detract from her outstanding attributes. A most beautiful balanced outline with a most feminine and well-proportioned head, reachy neck and another with text book angulation all through. Beautifully presented mid golden coat, handled to advantage and also moves stylishly and precisely.

3. Strobel’s FR/LUX/SWISS/NLD CH PEARLY IRRESISTIBLE DUST DU BOIS DE LA RAYERE. Completing a top class trio of beautiful, feminine and mature Goldens, she looked a picture either stacked or free standing with a wagging tail, tribute to her correct construction and overall balance. Another with a wonderful expressive head with intelligent dark eyes and the very best of outlines, very well presented and handled. All three could change places on another day, the hardest of decisions.  

Veteran Bitch (10, 3 Absent)

1. Smith’s SH CH GOLDMARKER LUMINARA. Has always been a favourite of mine, 8½ years and displaying absolute balance either stacked or freestanding, she is so correctly made. Completed by a dark wavy coat well presented, she exudes will to please and functionality, has the most feminine balanced head moves soundly, effortlessly with reach and drive and happy, level tail action. Best Veteran in Show.

2. Robbins & Rowark’s QUAKERHALL LADY BOUNTIFUL BY BREKSWOOD JW. Unlucky to meet 1, of a similar age, four square and feminine mid gold with an appealing head and expression. Very well constructed with good length of leg, everything in proportion, balanced and correctly angulated, she moves truly and soundly with freedom. An exhibit who has improved year on year and has now come into her own in veteran, as many Goldens do, and could not be dismissed for top honours.

3. Rodger’s SH CH ROJILLAIR EVENING MAGIC OF ODARLA JW. All quality, almost 10 years, another beautiful paler golden handled and presented to perfection. Lovely feminine and well-proportioned head with a soft expression from dark eyes. Well balanced and angulated all through with strong bone and cat-like feet. Just not making the most of herself at all times in another hotly contested class, but moved soundly and freely.    

Special Veteran Bitch (2)

1. Haselden’s OVERDENE SIBEAL BY BRAMBLYN. Darker golden, full of beans, belying her 10½ years, of lovely older type, workmanlike and looking fit for function. Feminine head with dark pigment and intelligent expression from well shaped eyes, good neck and shoulders. Would just prefer a little more fore and hindquarter angulation, but she is well balanced and not overdone in any way. Moved freely and joyfully with straight and true action.

2. Pratt’s’ LARGYMORE LALANDE OF ROSYTH. Just short of her 12th birthday, of different type, larger framed mid gold, just a little heavy today which cost her on movement, though she is sound coming and going she was also a little stiff. Balanced feminine head with a kind expression and good depth and width of muzzle, well placed neck of good length, her overall construction is true with excellent forequarter and shoulder angulation, straight front and rear and good bend of stifle

Special Open Field Trial/Working Test Bitch (1)

1. Pounds-Longhurst’s ROSGAR DOLLY O’DARE AMONG MOSSBURN VW. Appealing darker golden of 8½ years in gleaming full coat, a lovely type, very sound in all respects Feminine head with a pleasing soft expression, good length of neck and shoulder layback, well angulated forequarters with balanced hindquarter angles, deep through the heart, good spring of rib, level topline, compactly made, strong hocks, straight when viewed from front and rear. Moves so soundly and freely, a credit to her owner, she actually looked better standing alone than she did in the strong veteran class, one who I would be happy to own. 

KIM ELLIS (Judge)