Newmarket & District Canine Society

Newmarket & District Canine Society Premier Open Show.

Sunday, 21st June 2026.

My thanks go to the hard working Officers and Committee of Newmarket and District Canine Society, for inviting me to judge Golden Retrievers and Cocker Spaniels at their Premier Open Show. I was warmly received by all and appreciated your kind hospitality. It was a well run show, with a great atmosphere and good sized rings. Thank you also to my two fantastic Stewards, Paulina and Emily, who kept the ring running smoothly for me. Lastly and most importantly, thanks go to the Exhibitors for entering your beautifully turned out dogs under me. I was delighted to learn that my Golden Best of Breed was also later awarded Gundog Group 1.

Golden Retrievers (25/11/16)

Puppy (4/0)

1. Foreman’s Ambersun Another Adventure (AI). A 7 and half month old Dog of good size. Already balanced but with plenty of scope to further mature and slowly fill his large frame. Presented in shining, rich gold coat, and fantastic condition, he shows good breed type, with nothing overdone. He exudes a ring confidence belying his tender age; totally at ease with his surroundings and the job at hand. He shares an obvious affinity with his hander, whom he didn’t take his eyes off, whilst calmly freestanding, four-square. His masculine head has an appealing expression, complimented by dark eyes and pigment, and is set on a clean neck of excellent length. This flows into well-laid shoulders with equal return of upper arm, providing for a moderate forechest. Straight forelegs of good bone and length, finished with neat feet, complete the forequarters. A level topline supported by a short, firm, strong loin, link rear angulation mirroring that at the front. A moderate bend of stifle with good width, hard muscle to the first and second thigh, well let-down hocks and straight rear pasterns, all allow for well driven, tidy movement in all directions. I look forward to seeing how he develops. BPIB.

2. Foreman’s Ambersun Another Treasure (AI). A 7 and half month old, pale gold Bitch. Litter sister to No.1, with very similar qualities, albeit to a smaller, more compact and feminine degree. Again, balanced, moderate construction, with dark pigment, lovely straight bone, good movement, beautifully presented and handled. At the moment, I feel she doesn’t quite have the topline, maturity or confidence of No.1, however she is still so young, there is plenty of time for all this to change. A promising girl, who I’m sure will also have a bright future ahead of her.

3. Seamons, Seamons & Beeson’s Messano Sweetness And Light.

Junior (3/2)

1. Poile & Blackboro’s Cherrimar Electra. At nearly 18 months old, this Bitch is of a pleasing size and shape. Presented in gleaming mid gold coat with paler furnishings and in hard condition, she makes for an attractive picture on the stack. Such a pretty, balanced head, with dark eyes and a soft but intelligent expression, finished with great pigment and a correct bite. A clean, elegant neck leads to well laid shoulders. I would have liked a little more return of upper arm to place her forelegs further under her and provide for more forechest, but her forelegs are of good bone and very straight, leading to the tightest of feet. Her level topline, short coupling and correct tail set, together with better rear angulation, well turned stifle, let-down hocks and vertical rear pasterns, complete the rear. She did slightly drop her topline and raise her tail on the move, and I would have liked more drive, but her movement was straight and she was at one with her handler.

Special Yearling (7/3)

1. Knight & Cooke’s Haydengold Backchat JW. A 21 month old Dog. One look at this masculine profile, and I was in no doubt as to the sex of this pale coated exhibit. A longer cast dog, but still balanced within his frame, with a fabulous depth of body and a proud poise about him when stacked. My notes say “Strong” and that sums him up throughout, as every part of him oozes strength without any sense of coarseness or being overdone. His broad, handsome head has just the right amount of softness due to a kind expression, complimented by dark eyes, good pigment and a correct bite. His muscular neck flows into an excellent front assembly, which is mirrored behind. He has a deep chest, straight front and lovely tight feet. His ribs are well sprung and he has a tabletop level topline, which he perfectly held on the move. His tail is correctly set and carried straight off his back. A moderate bend of stifle with good width and solid muscling to the hindquarters and the second thigh, plus well let-down hocks and vertical pasterns, complete a very nice overall picture. He was a powerful mover with excellent reach and drive. RBOB.

2. Poile & Blackboro’s Cherrimar Electra. See Junior No.1.

3. Mears’ Ambersun Winter Storm JW.

Post Graduate (4/0)

A difficult class, as 1 and 2 both appealed greatly despite being very different in type. Both showing fantastic temperament via their obvious rapport with their handlers and very pleasing movement.

1. Wheeldon & Hurry’s Dewmist Dolce Vita With Catnnels (IMP SWE) JW. A 2 and a half year old paler coloured Bitch of good size, whose shape flowed beautifully from nose to tail on the stack, showing everything to be in the right place and highlighting her hard physical condition. She has a pretty head with sweet expression, dark eyes, good pigment and correct bite. An elegant, reachy neck blends seemlessly into well-laid shoulders with upper arm of equal length, placing her well boned legs and tight feet well underneath her and producing a well developed forechest. Well-sprung ribs, a short, strong loin, level topline and correct tailset, make for an attractive body. Her rear angulation perfectly mirrors the front. Her muscling throughout is excellent, and together with a moderatly turned stifle, well let-down hocks and strong pasterns, she was able to effortlessly and precisely glide around the ring, so at one with her handler. Her tail being everso slightly raised, would be my only gripe.

2. Foreman’s Ambersun Summer Son JW. A handsome 3 year old Dog who walks into a perfect freestand, then wags his tail and only has eyes for his handler. Presented in gleaming mid gold coat with attractive paler furnishings, he is of good hard condition and balanced within his frame. He’s blessed with the most gorgeous of heads: Beautifully balanced and masculine but with such a melting, gentle expression. His clean, reachy neck smoothly transitions into a shoulder blade of excellent layback and length, with equal return of upper arm. Front legs are straight and of good length and bone, with cat-like feet. Whilst he could do with a little more substance to his body, he has a nice spring of rib, a short, strong loin, and a level topline, which he held on the move. Correct rear assembly, enabled him to power around the ring with great reach, drive and animation. Although his tailset is correct, he, like the others in this class, also carried his tail a little higher on the move. Much to like about him, however he couldn’t quite match the look of maturity, or effortless movement possessed by No.1.

3. Poile & Blackboro’s Cherrimar Electra.

Open Dog (1/1)

Open Bitch (6/5)

1. Seamons’ Messano Snap Crackle And Pop. Almost 3 years old, this Bitch is a more compact type to those in the previous classes and looked the epitome of femininity on the stack: Exactly what I look for in a bitch. Elegant and balanced throughout, in tip-top condition, and all wrapped up in a gleaming, light gold coat. Her head is delicate and set off by an appealing expression and intelligent dark eyes. Set atop a reachy, clean neck that flows into classic examples of shoulders, topline, tailset and tail carriage. She has the straightest of fronts with bone just right for her frame and forelegs of a good length, placed well underneath her, and the neatest of cat-like feet. Her forechest is well developed and leads to sprung ribs and short couplings. A moderate turn of stifle, great rear angulation, well let-down hocks and straight pasterns, allow for the required, efficient , ground-covering movement. If I were being picky, I would have liked her to have a little more animation on the move, but movement was straight and true, coming and going and she was sympathetically handled. I was absolutely delighted to award her BOB and thrilled to learn that she later took Group 1. Congratulations!

2. Wheeldon & Hurry’s Catnnels Gettin’ Jiggy SGWC. At 5 and a half years old, this mid gold Bitch is of a very different type to No.1. Higher on the leg and finer boned throughout she is the picture of a Golden who is absolutely fit for function. Portraying a pleasing outline whilst freestanding, she demonstrates her vibrant, fun demeanour by way of a happy tail that never stopped wagging; an obvious adoration of her handler; and a full-of-beans energy. She has an appealing, balanced head with a cheeky twinkle to her dark eye, dark pigment and the correct bite. A moderate neck flows into well laid shoulders and on to a strong, level topline with correct tail set and level tail carriage. Her front is straight, with good feet, but I would have preferred more width across her chest. She has balanced angulation fore and aft, a strong loin and excellent, hard muscle tone to the shoulders and hindquarters. A happy, energetic mover, with lashing tail action, she was obviously thoroughly enjoying her day out and looked like she could keep going all day long.

3. Reeves’ Rheincroft Corn Dolly.

Cocker Spaniels (22/8/14)

Puppy (3/1)

1. Hill’s Clavaire Orange Rose With Princehill. At nearly 10 months old, this orange roan Bitch conducted herself with the confidence and collected poise of a seasoned professional: She simply didn’t put a foot wrong. Presented in shining, silky coat, and in lovely hard condition, she already shows a compact profile and balance throughout which completely belies her tender age, without anything being over done. Her head is delightfully feminine, with lovely balance, nice stop and correct bite. She has the most melting expression with dark eyes, enhanced by excellent dark pigment and correct ear set and length. Her elegant, clean neck flows into well-laid, fine shoulders, and this flow continues along a perfectly level topline, to her tail; both of which remained absolutely level whilst on the move. Textbook angulation is mirrored front and rear. Her front is straight and of sturdy bone, with tight, cat-like feet. She is developing a good spring of rib and decent width across her short loin and hindquarters. Good width and bend of stifle, firm muscling to the first and second thigh, well let down hocks and strong pasterns, enabled her to stride out with an impressive reach and drive. A merry tail action completed a delightful picture. I was so impressed with her, I considered her for RBoB. However her time will come, and I hope to see her again when she has matured further. BPIB.

2. Hutton-Baber’s Babtonkelpie Ship Happens. At nearly 8 months old, this blue roan Bitch is still very much a raw baby with all the fun and fizz usually seen in a young Cocker. She doesn’t currently have the polish of No. 1, but she has plenty of time to develop this. Presented in profuse puppy coat, she is still trying to find her balance, tending to overstretch on both the front and rear, which affects her topline when stacked. She has a sweet head with distinct stop, dark eyes, correct ears, dark pigment and a good bite, all set on a reachy neck. She is carrying a bit too much puppy weight for my liking, which was particularly noticeable on her shoulders and waist, but she does have adequate angulation fore and aft with good bone and tight feet. She was rather unsettled on the move and giving her handler a hard time, but her tail refused to stop wagging, as she was obviously enjoying her day out, which was a joy to see.

Special Yearling (7/2)

A difficult decision to choose between the first two. I’m sure they will often swap places, as they have very similar qualities and both moved beautifully.

1. Hutton-Baber’s Babtonkelpie Cop The Lot. A nearly 22 month old Bitch who presents a very compact profile when stacked. Turned out in shiny, silky, dark blue roan coat, she looked very well put together. She has a strong yet still feminine head with good stop, correct ears and dark eyes, although these could have slightly tighter rims. Good width and depth of muzzle and correct bite. Her pleasing neck leads to well laid shoulders, good return of upper arm and a well developed forechest. Slight higher on the leg than No. 2, she stands on good bone with neat feet. Well ribbed with a short, wide loin and firm topline which she carried well on the move. Well rounded hindquarters, good bend of stifle together with well muscled thighs and short pasterns allowed her to power out in her movement. RBOB

2. Clifford’s Wyncastle’s Saint Laurent Avec Chamford Bel/Hun JCH JW (IMP HUN). A 22 month old blue roan Dog with a real showman attitude and a lot to like. Longer cast than No. 1, yet still demonstrating a beautifully balanced profile on the stack, he was presented in gleaming full coat and good hard condition. For me, I preferred his head to No. 1. Whilst it had all the same characteristics, albeit a more masculine version, his tighter eye rims added to its appeal. His moderate neck flows into well laid shoulders with equal return of upper arm, placing his sturdy boned forelegs well under him. A developed forechest and neat feet complete the front. His great spring of rib, short coupling, wide loin and strong topline make for a solid core. Rounded, muscular hindquarters, with angulation to match the front and powerful pasterns, allowed him to move with reach, drive and a very merry level tail action. On this occasion, I felt he just missed out to No. 1 on accuracy of movement.

3. Wildman’s Wilanorah Perfik Scoundrel At Chanmalo.

Limit (6/3)

1. Marshall’s Wissant Moon And Stars. Nearly 4 year old blue roan Dog who presents a pleasingly compact, balanced outline on the stack with everything where it should be, and good width to back and hindquarters. His head is attractive and masculine but not overdone, with good stop, correct bite, low ears, kind, dark eyes and excellent pigment, which all make for a very appealing, intelligent expression. His neck is clean and moderate in length. He has adequate bone and good feet. He holds his topline well standing and on the move. Complimentary angulation fore and aft allowed him to moved out very well, with a merry tail action.

2. Randall’s Fengrange Defender Boy. Almost 3 years old, this Dog is of a lighter blue roan colour, and is longer cast with more reach of neck than No. 1. He is very eye catching in a gleaming, silky, silvery-blue, full coat, with a tail that doesn’t stop wagging and a balanced profile. Another with a very handsome head and melting expression provided by a dark eye, distinct stop, low ear-set and good pigment. Correct angulation afront and rear, straight, sturdy bone to forelegs, neat cat-like feet, a well developed forechest and sprung ribs, all made for a lovely front end. Standing, he held a level topline, with good width across his back and rounded, muscular hindquarters. I did find him a tad long in the loin, which might explain his tendency to drop his topline on the move. This was unfortunate as he moved out well, but it lost him the top spot on this occasion. 

3. Fawcett’s Wissant About Flippin Time.

Open (6/2)

1. Keely’s ShCh Oakbeach Dare To Dream Big With Alhambian (IMP SWE). At 7 years old, this dark blue roan Dog is such an eyecatching boy and I was not surprised to later discover he had his show title. The epitome of breed type: Well balanced, compact, sporty, yet maintaining such an elegant flow from nose to tail tip. Presented in hard condition and covered in immaculate gleaming, silky coat. His head is well moulded, balanced with a defined stop, dark eyes and a soft, melting expression. Ears are set on low and of perfect length to reach the tip of his black nose. He has good width and depth of muzzle, with the correct bite. His reachy neck blends seamlessly into well laid shoulders. Excellent front assembly places his forelegs well under his body and allows for a well developed forechest of both width and depth. Standing on legs of good length and sturdy bone, with well-padded, tight feet. A lovely spring of rib and short, strong loin, with great width across his back and firm, level topline, which then gently slopes from the croup into his tailset. Rear assembly mirrors the front and is complimented with excellent width and muscle tone to his hindquarters, giving him the desired rounded “Cocker Bum”. Strong thighs, well bent stifles of good width, low hocks and short, vertical pasterns complete a strong rear. He moved accurately and effortlessly, with impressive reach and drive showing the breed’s typical merry, bustling action, with lashing tail. I could not deny him BOB.

2. Davies’ Mabelhope Melrose Miss of Peacevale. This 4 year old chocolate roan Bitch presents a very pretty outline on the stack, showing balance and type, in good condition and coat. Not quite the front angulation of No. 1, who has a better length of upper arm, and also a little heavier over the shoulders, but still of good construction, with lots to like. Her head is well developed yet feminine and set off by hazel eyes and brown pigmentation to harmonise with coat colour. Ears are long and low, her stop defined and bite is correct. Her neck is moderate and shoulder blades long and well-laid. She could do with a little more forechest, but has straight forelegs of good bone and nice feet. Ribs are well sprung, loin is short and firm and topline is level with good width across her back, rounded hindquarters and correct tailset. Better rear angulation with a decent turn of stifle, low hocks and short pasterns. She moved out well, but couldn’t match the stylish movement of No.1.

3. Hutton-Baber’s Babtonkelpie Gallery Queen JW.

Judge: Rebecca Middleton-Collins (Jasperleigh).