Show Placings
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
4th Nov 2018
Judge: Mr. Paul Cheeseman (Bromscar)
Novice - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Thistlemead Starlight
Placing Critique
a lot to like about this bitch, good front and shoulders, good bend of stifle and very good on the move, not much jacket on the day, but very thick pelt.
Guildford & DCS Open Show
8th Dec 2018
Judge: Mr Matt Smith (Alncroft)
Thank you to the society for the invitation to take over this appointment and to the Southern Border Terrier club for putting me forward. I always enjoy judging Borders and was pleased with the quality in this entry. Having grown up with earth working terriers I am always mindful when judging of the true original function of this breed.
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Thistlemead Starlight
Placing Critique
Pleasing bitch, dam of the BOB and shares many of her qualities just a size bigger.
Ladies Kennel Association
16th Dec 2018
Judge: Mrs. K. Wilkinson (Otterkin)
Thanks to the exhibitors for a super entry of Border Terriers. As I repeatedly say, the shows are about the dogs and the exhibitors and are not held for the benefit of the judges, so I appreciated the honour of going over your dogs. Thanks also to the ring stewards Angie Feildsend and Andrea Caudrelier who kept everything flowing smoothly so that we finished in good time. With an entry of 148 dogs making 159 entries, we had the highest entry in the Terrier Group and what a lovely entry it was that awaited me on 16th December. As my finalists came into the ring for each set of CCs, I thought "I like all these!!"
After the show was over, I was told that the four dogs I had brought together at the top of the ring, when deciding on the Dog CC, were all related to one dog and in fact three of them were by that same dog, one I have often referred to in the past when discussing stud dogs with people, as a dog who consistently puts breed type on his progeny, so I was thrilled to be told that Ch Grindelvald In Full Cry JW sired three of the dogs and was the great grandsire of the fourth and to confirm that in the catalogue later. Congratulations to Mrs Margaret Bailey on breeding and owning a dog who clearly puts his breed type stamp on his progeny.
Unless something changes drastically with the Judges Competency Framework, this will be my last General Championship Show appointment and so, when asking for the name of the dog to whom I had awarded the CC and Best of Breed at the end when I was filling in the Award Cards, it was fitting that I then found out his name was Dassett Last Waltz JW. So pleased to later see him pulled out in the shortcut in the Terrier Group. Good luck for the future.
Good Citizen - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Thistlemead Starlight
Placing Critique
When this bitch first came into the class, standing alone on one side as a new entry, I thought she would be the easy winner, which she may well have been if she had a little less on the rib, but sadly today had to give way as a little difficult to span. She has the most fabulous otterhead with a keen expression from the darkest of eyes, oozes type and is very sound. Lovely straight front. Ribs carried well back. Good bend of stifle. Excellent tail, well set on. Possesses a cracking coat of the best.
Boston & District Canine Society
6th Jan 2019
Judge: Mrs Beverley Barber (Alcumlow)
Thank you to all exhibitors who entered their dogs for me to judge. Thank you to Boston Show Society for inviting me to judge and putting on a very well organised event. Running these events is hard work and takes a lot of organising. The breed has changed a lot in the thirty years I have owned and been part of. Heads are very varied and lack strength under the eye so giving a weaker muzzle and too many domed skulls. Good movement is hard to find too many borders just mark time. Coats were varied but it is a difficult time of the year and I am not a fan of the over tidied coat or worrying about perfect presentation but a little attention to detail helps. A lot of long nails and excess hair on the feet, and a lot of long hair left on sides of the head and muzzles. My judging is based on good shape and conformation in accordance with the breed standard and of course good movement that allows the dog to cover the ground with ease. No animal is perfect and we all judge in our own way but I enjoyed today's challenge.
Special Beginners in Breed
Name at show: Thistlemead Starlight
Special Beginners - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Thistlemead Starlight
Placing Critique
Quite a rangy, traditional bitch. Good body shape and pleasing head. Excellent coat and pelt. Just carrying a little too much weight today although moved out well. Best Special Beginner.
Ashford and Faversham DCS
13th Jan 2019
Judge: Jane Hilden
Open /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Thistlemead Starlight
Manchester Championship Show
18th Jan 2019
Judge: Mrs. Kathy Newsome (Kighill)
My first judging appointment at a Championship show and what a lovely day I had. Firstly I would like to thank the Manchester Dog Society for inviting me to judge their show, and also to all the exhibitors for showing their support.
I had a lovely selection of dogs and I was very pleased with the quality that came before me. All dogs were entire and mouths were good. Some dogs could have done with being tidied up a little more.
Open - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Thistlemead Starlight
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
10th Feb 2019
Judge: Mrs Margaret Davies (Glenorchy)
I would firstly like to thank the Club for giving me the opportunity to judge their February Open Show, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Also thank you to my very efficient stewards Julie Price ad Jem Thomas and by no means least my grateful thanks to all the exhibitors for a super entry.
A few exhibits were wide in front, one or two I couldn't span, movement left a lot to be desired and some could have done with a little more tidying up.
Novice - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Thistlemead Starlight
Woolwich and Bexley DCA Open Show
17th Mar 2019
Judge: Mr K Starkey (Jaystar)
Open /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Thistlemead Starlight
National Terrier
6th Apr 2019
Judge: Mr Eddie Houston
My thanks to the Society for inviting me, to my stewards Dave and Pat who kept things moving and most especially to all the exhibitors for entering and allowing me the privilege of going over their dogs.
I was very pleased with my main winners and there was a lot of quality in the puppy classes which should augur well for the future. Temperaments were excellent, all males were entire and there were no serious mouth faults.
On the minus side there were quite a number of animals of both sexes which were up to size and front movement is a real problem throughout the age range. A few dogs were carrying too much weight and a couple could have done with carrying a bit more. There were a number of dogs lacking in muscle-ours is a working breed and an unfit dog would not be able to fulfill the job of a working terrier.
Open - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Thistlemead Starlight
Class Critique
The first three are all lovely examples of the breed and could easily change places on another day.
Crystal Palace Canine Association Open Show
13th Apr 2019
Judge: Mr Robert Goddard (Awbrooksky)
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Thistlemead Starlight
Birmingham & District Gundog and Terrier Club Open Show
27th Apr 2019
Judge: Dogs Angela Read, Bitches Bridget Singh
Open - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Thistlemead Starlight
West of England Ladies' Kennel Society
28th Apr 2019
Judge: Mrs L A Crawley
Special Beginners - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Thistlemead Starlight
Placing Critique
This one had good head proportions and dark eye but ears on the big size, good in front, topline OK, rather too long in hocks, however moved quite well.
Chelmsford & DCS Open Show
6th May 2019
Judge: Nicola Foster (Thozow)
Open /
Third Place
Name at show: Thistlemead Starlight
Wickford, Basildon & DCS Open Show
18th May 2019
Judge: Derek Pearmain (Delandmar)
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Thistlemead Starlight
Bath Championship Show
27th May 2019
Judge: Miss Felicity Freer (Felfree)
Many thanks to the Officers and Committee for my invitation to judge this superb breed. The weather was not on our side to start but it warmed up and made for a superb day. I have owned or shown this breed for over 20 years and found a real mixed bag today. I found the youngsters to be really pleasing which is promising for the breed. Many thanks to all the exhibitors for taking the time to show under me.
Special Beginners - Dog or Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Thistlemead Starlight
Placing Critique
Bigger bitch than first. Shown in good coat and thick pelt
The Southern Counties Canine Assocation
1st Jun 2019
Judge: Miss J Singh (Vandamere)
I was a delighted to receive the invitation to judge at this friendly and well run show The weather was glorious and there was a nice atmosphere around the ring.
I thoroughly enjoyed my day as I had some quality dogs to go over and this was reflected on the impressive results in the Group placings . I was thrilled to learn that the Best of Breed was awarded Terrier Group 1, my bitch CC winner was awarded Terrier Junior Group 2, the puppy gained Puppy Terrier Group 3 and the veteran was awarded Veteran Terrier Group 3. Is this a new record for group placings at one show for the breed?
The day was kept running smoothly by my two stewards Alan McKenzie and Sue Hann,
I was concerned about the number of exhibits with misplaced teeth. In total I found five exhibits each with a misplaced tooth, also two kinked tails and one exhibit with one testicle. Some exhibits were lacking in muscle tone and condition.
Special Beginners - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Thistlemead Starlight
East of England Agricultural Society Open Show
4th Jul 2019
Judge: Mrs V Atkinson (Raedwulf)
I so much enjoyed my day judging the inaugural Open Show. Thank you to Mrs Pat Dufty and the Committee for inviting me to judge, it was an honour. I was assisted expertly by the wonderful Avis and Preston Haffenden to whom I am very grateful. Thank you most of all to my Exhibitors who allowed me the privilege of going over their dogs and for the sporting manner in which my decisions were taken.
Open /
Third Place
Name at show: Thistlemead Starlight
East of England Championship Show
6th Jul 2019
Judge: Mrs Janet Alexander (Glenbucket)
Special Beginners - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Thistlemead Starlight
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
9th Feb 2020
Judge: Mrs. Carolyn Richardson (Staynorwood)
I would like to thank Midland Border Terrier Club for inviting me to judge and to thank my Stewards Pete Armstrong and Sue Baxter. Unfortunately, the entry was somewhat reduced due to the awful storm conditions keeping many at home, but I was pleased with the quaity of dogs present for me to go over and very happy with my winners.
Graduate - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Thistlemead Starlight
Placing Critique
Typical head and good earset. Neat ears set close to the cheek. Harsh double jacket with loose pelt. Preferred front and rib on 1.Short carrot tail set on and carried well. Moved well.
Maidenhead & District Canine Society Open Show
15th Feb 2020
Judge: Mr R Wright (Borderexpress)
Thank you to the Society for the kind invite to judge your open show, unfortunately the weekend of storm Ciara made the day tough for travel just for the local exhibitors let alone the distance travellers so a big thank you to the dogs that made the effort to make it on the day. The hospitality shown by the society and the lunch provided on the day was excellent – a big thank you.
Open /
First Place
Name at show: Thistlemead Starlight
Placing Critique
red bitch nearly 5 years old, bigger/rangier in size and rib making her harder to span on the day – front movement not as good/wider than I would like. She has a good head and nice and dark in the eye but lacked in jacket today.
Oxford CS Open Show
1st Mar 2020
Judge: David Lee (Socksdown)
Open /
Second Place
Name at show: Thistlemead Starlight
