Golden Retriever Club Of Northumbria

Golden Retriever Club of Northumbria Open Show

10th January 2026

Judge: Jackie Chan (Wemcrest)

Firstly, I would like to give my sincere appreciation to the entire GRC of Northumbria committee for inviting me to judge at their very welcoming open show. I was delighted with my entry. A huge thank you to all the exhibitors who made the show despite the awful weather conditions. The overall quality of dogs was excellent. I found myself splitting hairs on occasions. A big thank you to my stewards David, Janet and the young lady whose name escapes me, for ensuring everything ran smoothly. I thoroughly enjoyed my day.

Best In Show: Carlton’s FHAIRMHOR MOONLIGHT SONATA AT THISTLEGATE

Reserve Best In Show: Wood’s ALIBREN FIRECRACKER OF LEBUINUS

Best Puppy In Show: Wood’s ALIBREN FIRECRACKER OF LEBUINUS

Best Veteran In Show: Wright’s PALTON PAVAROTTI VW

Best Dog: Gerhold’s NAVILIS VIVAT VIVALDI JW (IMP UKR)

Reserve Best Dog: Bolton’s GOLDMARKER I DREAMED A DREAM AT SHIRESMILL

Best Puppy Dog: Copley’s ASHBYGLEN TRUE COLOURS AT EMMABE

Best Veteran Dog: Wright’s PALTON PAVAROTTI VW

Best Bitch: Carlton’s FHAIRMHOR MOONLIGHT SONATA AT THISTLEGATE

Reserve Best Bitch: Wood’s ALIBREN FIRECRACKER OF LEBUINUS

Best Puppy Bitch: Wood’s ALIBREN FIRECRACKER OF LEBUINUS

Best Veteran Bitch: McGuffie’s MILLTIMBER MORNING BREEZE

Class 1: Veteran Dog (6 entries, 3 absent)

1. Wright’s PALTON PAVAROTTI VW – Really liked this rich golden male shown in great condition. He had a lovely shine to his coat. He has a very appealing masculine head with soft expression. He presents a very balanced outline, nothing overdone. Strong through loin. Lovely straight neat hocks and strong hindquarters which he used to power round the ring. BVD & BVIS

2. Wallis’s BLUE GEMSTONE KATERINA AT CAMELLIS – A very happy dog who enjoyed his time in the ring constantly wagging his tail. Mid-golden mature male with strong masculine head with dark eye and kind expression. Good length of neck into well laid shoulders. Deep brisket, deep well sprung ribs. Short coupled. Just preferred the overall balance and movement of class winner today.

3. Holmes & Higgins’s KELLYWILLOW AUGUSTUS

Class 2: Minor Puppy Dog (3 entries, 0 absent)

1. Copley’s ASHBYGLEN TRUE COLOURS AT EMMABE – This young male puppy presents a pleasing balanced outline. Nice masculine head with kind dark eye and soft expression. Good pigmentation. Good chest. Stood with a straight front, well off for bone and stood on catlike feet. Carried topline through to tip of his tail on move. BPD

2. Gerhold’s NAVILIS SHCHEDRYK (IMP UKR) NAF TAF – Another pleasing, happy young puppy who made his handler work at times. I’m sure these two will swap places often. This 6 ½ month cream male has a pleasing head with a soft expression and lovely pigment. Clean length of neck into lay of shoulders. Good length of leg. Balanced. Lovely bend of stifle. Moved well.

3. McNeish’s PEVRILPOINT HOW SOON IS NOW

Class 3: Puppy Dog (4 entries, 0 absent)

1. Copley’s ASHBYGLEN TRUE COLOURS AT EMMABE – as before

2. Carlton’s THRISTLEGATE SONOMA MOON – 10 month mid-gold puppy with an attractive masculine head. Dark eye and kind expression with excellent pigmentation. Good length of neck into well placed shoulders. Good length of leg, tight elbows into well sprung rib. Balanced angulation fore and aft. Level topline, short coupled. Moved out well.

3. Gerhold’s NAVILIS SHCHEDRYK (IMP UKR) NAF TAF

Class 4: Junior Dog (7entries, 2 absent)

1. Bolton’s GOLDMARKER I DREAMED A DREAM AT SHIRESMILL – This boy caught my eye as he entered the ring. Balanced pleasing outline with nothing overdone. Mid-gold boy with a lovely masculine head with nice dark pigmentation. Kind, dark eye. Correct ear set and good depth of muzzle. Lovely fore chest, deep brisket, tight elbows into well sprung ribs. Level topline, short coupled. Strong muscular hindquarters which he utilised to power round ring. RBD

2. Robinson’s BARICIA BELLA D’ORO – Pale golden boy with strong masculine chiselled head, good reach of neck into firm level topline which he held on move. Good forechest standing on a straight front. Muscular shoulders, tight fitting elbows into well sprung ribs, firm loin, balanced rear angulation. Moved well.

3. Smith’s GOLDMARKER ALDERBARAN

Class 5: Yearling Dog (7 entries, 1 absent)

1. Bolton’s GOLDMARKER I DREAMED A DREAM AT SHIRESMILL – as before

2. McShane’s RIGERIN COPPER BEACH – A darker golden boy in good hard condition. An attractive masculine head with well chiselled features. A very pleasing balanced outline. Good reach of neck leading into correct shoulder placement. Good bone and neat feet. Nice turn of stifle and well let down hocks. Pushed class winner hard.

3. Robinson’s BARICIA BELLA D’ORO

Class 6: Novice Dog (4 entries, 0 absent)

1. Carlton’s THRISTLEGATE SONOMA MOON – as before

2. Robinson’s BARICIA BELLA D’ORO – as before

3. McGuffie’s AURISTELA CLARK GABLE WITH MILLTIMBER

Class 7: Undergraduate Dog (4 entries, 0 absent)

1. Bolton’s GOLDMARKER I DREAMED A DREAM AT SHIRESMILL – as before

2. Robinson’s BARICIA BELLA D’ORO – as before

3. Smith’s GOLDMARKER ALDERBARAN

Class 8: Graduate Dog (3 entries, 0 absent)

1. Wright’s PALTON PLATINO – Darker golden male with an appealing masculine head, good depth of muzzle. Clean muscular neck set on well laid shoulders. Good angulation front and rear. Good return of upper arm and well off for bone. Level topline and neat hocks. Moved out well.

2. Towers & Henderson’s BARICIA BELLA DIVINO JW – Lots to like about this lovely cream dog. Masculine chiselled features. Stands square on a good front assembly with deep chest. Tight fitting elbows into well sprung rib with plenty of heart room. He has a good bend of stifle and well let down hocks. I’d of liked him to be carrying a little less weight today. I felt he didn’t have the reach and drive I’ve seen of him before.

3. Robinson’s BARICIA BELLA D’ORO

Class 9: Post Graduate Dog (4 entries, 0 absent)

1. Wright’s PALTON PLATINO – as before

2. Allan’s HOAALOHA SIMBA – Pale cream boy pleasing masculine balanced head. Kind dark eye and expression. Good length of neck onto well placed shoulders. Good front and rear assembly. Short coupled. Straight neat hocks and strong hindquarters making him move with ease. Shame to come up against class winner today.

3. Pratt’s ROSYTH KELTIC LORD JW

Class 10: Limit Dog (4 entries, 1 absent)

1. Foreman’s AMBERSUN I’LL FLY FOR YOU – A lovely rich golden male of good proportions. He has a pleasing head and soft, kind expression. He has a good length of neck set on well placed shoulders. Lovely level topline. Nice angulations fore and aft. At one with his handler. Moved well, although stronger hocks would have given him more power to stride round ring.

2. Copley’s LALIQUE LORD OF THE RINGS AT HAMCAR – Compact male with masculine head of good proportions. Nice kind, dark eye and expression. Well angulated front with good deep chest, well fitting elbows into well sprung ribs with plenty of heart room. Short coupled. Good bend of stifle. Plenty bone. Moved ok.

3. Wallis’s LAMANCHA ROLLON GOOD TIMES

Class 11: Open Dog (5 entries, 1 absent)

A lovely quality class, which I’m sure places regularly swap.

1. Gerhold’s NAVILIS VIVAT VIVALDI JW (IMP UKR) – A lovely quality balanced boy with nothing overdone. He has an appealing masculine head of correct proportions. He holds a lovely level topline with correct tail set. Symmetrical in front and rear angulations. Deep through chest and brisket. Well off for bone. Stood on neat catlike feet. He has well muscular second thighs and short, straight hocks making him move around the ring with ease. A very happy chap. BD

2. Wright’s PALTON PAVAROTTI VW - as before

3. Bolton’s MEGARVEY STILL GAME FOR SHIRESMILL JW

Class 12: Veteran Bitch (4 entries, 2 absent)

1. McGuffie’s MILLTIMBER MORNING BREEZE – 9 year old mid gold mature girl in profuse coat. Nice feminine head with dark eye and kind expression. Deep chest, well sprung ribs. Would prefer straighter front. Good bend of stifle. Moved ok. BVB

2. Pratt’s LARGYMORE LALANDE OF ROSYTH – 12 year old young lady who enjoyed herself in the ring. She lacks front angulation. Deep brisket. Strong through body. Moved happily round ring.

Class13: Minor Puppy Bitch (3 entries, 0 absent)

1. Haxton’s DANTASSIE SUNNY SOLSTICE – A beautifully constructed puppy who shows great promise. Very sweet feminine head with dark eye and kind expression, with super pigmentation. She has good length of neck flowing into well laid shoulders. Excellent front and rear angulations, nothing overdone. Elbows tight fitting into well sprung ribs, short coupled and held a firm, level topline. Well developed hindquarters. Moved positively with her runner.

2. McShane’s SHELBREAGHA HOLLANDAISE – Another lovely puppy with well-proportioned feminine head, nice dark eyes and kind expression. Good length of neck. Good length of leg, standing square on neat catlike feet. Good angulation fore and aft. Well let done hocks. Moved well.

3. Macleod’s GARLINE SCARLET RIBBONS

Class14: Puppy Bitch (6 entries, 0 absent)

1. Wood’s ALIBREN FIRECRACKER OF LEBUINUS – A stunning young lady that my eye was drawn to. She is beautifully balanced and compact. A lovely sweet feminine head with dark eye and good pigmentation. Clean neck flowing into well laid shoulders. Straight front well set under neat forechest. Good upper arm, tight fitting elbows into well sprung ribs. Solid topline which she maintained on move. Nice square hindquarters with straight hocks. Moved effortlessly round ring. I could not deny awarding her BPB, RBB, BP and RBIS.

2. Haxton’s DANTASSIE SUNNY SOLSTICE – as before

3. Hill & Smith’s MEGARVEY COCOMELON

Class15: Junior Bitch (8 entries, 4 absent)

1. Foreman’s AMBERSUN WINTER TREASURE – Pale young lady who stood out in her class. Pretty feminine head with dark eye and soft, kind expression. Nice depth to muzzle. Clean neck flowing into well placed shoulders. Good front angulation and depth to chest. Good return of upper arm. Level topline, slightly longer in loin. Rear quarters balance front. Well laid down hocks. Covered the ground well.

2. Lowther’s VERA’S MYSTERY AT EVENMINT – Pale cream girl who was more settled than in previous class. Nicely balanced. Feminine head with dark eye. Good depth of muzzle. Good reach of neck into lay of shoulders. Short in upper arm and narrow front, larger frame than 1. Well off for bone. Good depth of rib. Held a level topline. Nice bend of stifle and well laid down hocks. Moved out well.

3. Danby’s GOLDEN MOUNTAIN SPRING’S NOW’N FOREVER OF LOWERLEAZES

Class 16: Yearling Bitch (3 entries, 2 absent)

1. Foreman’s AMBERSUN WINTER TREASURE -as before

Class 17: Novice Bitch (7 entries, 2 absent)

1. Wood’s ALIBREN FIRECRACKER OF LEBUINUS – as before

2. Duke’s NAVILIS NOTA BENE AT CADELLARD (IMP UKR) – Pale cream girl who made her handler work hard. Very happy disposition. Nice feminine head, dark eye and kind expression. Lovely dark pigmentation. Good length of neck into lay of shoulders. Lacking in front angulation. Nice, neat catlike feet. Muscular hindquarters. Moved ok.

3. Lowther’s VERA’S MYSTERY AT EVENMINT

Class 18: Undergraduate Bitch (10 entries, 4 absent)

1. Wood’s ALIBREN FIRECRACKER OF LEBUINUS – as before

2. Johnson’s MOLOKO OW DO – Another quality young lady. A shame to come up against class winner today. She has a lovely soft feminine expression. Lovely reach of neck into lay of shoulders. She presents a very balanced outline. Good depth of chest and well sprung ribs. Lovely level topline which was held on move. In very good condition. Moved well.

3. Foreman’s AMBERSUN WINTER TREASURE

Class 19: Graduate Bitch (3 entries, 1 absent)

1. Holmes’s AMIRENE INNOCENCE LOL – Pale coated sweet feminine girl. Presenting a nice balanced profile. Nice dark eye and dark pigmentation. Correct ear set. Moderate length of neck into correct shoulder placement. Good return of upper arm. Level topline. Her stifles are well bent and her hocks are well let down. Moved with drive.

2. Searle’s ASTLEYFOLD SNOWY BELL JW – A nicely shaped paler girl in very good coat. Feminine head with soft expression. Clean through neck into lay of shoulders. Deep chest and well sprung ribs with plenty of heart room. Strong through body, level topline. Soft pasterns. Muscular hindquarters. Preferred movement of class winner today.

Class 20: Post Graduate Bitch (6 entries, 2 absent)

1. Harper’s TULLOCHMOHR RAY OF SUNSHINE AT GLYNERVA JW – A mid gold girl presented in profuse coat. She presents a pleasing profile compact outline. She has a feminine head with a soft, gentle expression. Clean moderate neck flowing into a strong level topline. Tail well set. Well turned stifle and short, straight hocks. Strong, powerful hindquarters which made her cover the ground with purpose.

2. Pratt’s ROSYTH KIND OF MAGIC – Another pleasing outline who was unfortunate to come up against class winner today. She has a pleasing balanced head with dark eye and kind, soft expression. Good reach of neck flowing into level topline. Short coupled. Well angulated fore and aft. Good turn of stifle and well let down straight hocks. Moved well.

3. Holmes’s AMIRENE INNOCENCE LOL

Class 21: Limit Bitch (9 entries, 5 absent)

1. Carlton’s FHAIRMHOR MOONLIGHT SONATA AT THISTLEGATE – Freestanding this young lady caught my eye. She presented in good coat with a very balanced outline with nothing overdone. She was alert, happy and constantly wagging her tail. She has a very appealing feminine head. Lovely reach of neck flowing into correctly placed shoulders. Lovely level topline which she maintained on move. Well-set tail on correct angle of croup. Forelegs well placed under her. Moved with ease. Delighted to award her BB and BIS.

2. Rodger’s AMBERSUN PASSIONE OF ODARLA JW – Another quality female in pale coat. Presents a super balanced outline. Expertly handled. Lovely soft, gentle expression. Super length of neck leading to well laid shoulders. Good return of upper arm. Tight fitting elbows into well sprung ribs. Short coupled. Firm level topline and correct tail set. Good hindquarters with well bent stifle. Found her to be a little narrow on rear today.

3. Bell’s HOAALOHA AHYOKA JW

Class 22: Open Bitch (6 entries, 2 absent)

1. Smith’s GOLDMARKER LUMINESS (AI) – A rich golden girl with a happy disposition. Coming into bloom at the right time. A pretty head with lovely pigmentation. Good reach of neck into well placed shoulders. Lovely front angulation and depth to chest. Forelegs well positioned under. Tight fitting elbows into well sprung ribs. Held level topline on move. Presents a balanced profile. Moved with purpose.

2. Harper’s TULLOCHMOHR SHOOTING STAR AT GLYNERVA JW – Splitting hairs with class winner. Paler female in a profuse wavy coat. She has a very feminine head with a soft, kind expression. Good length of neck following into well laid shoulders. Deep chest, tight fitting elbows into well sprung ribs with plenty of heart room. Standing foursquare on neat catlike feet. Well bent stifle. Moved well.

3. Foreman’s AMBERSUN LOST IN MUSIC