Show Placings
City of Birmingham Championship Show
31st Aug 2024
Judge: Mrs Clare Sansom (Tarkaswell)
I would like to thank the officers and committee of the City of Birmingham Canine Association Championship Dog Show for the invitation to judge at this level for the first time.
With storm Lillian resulting in the abandonment of Driffield, the JBTC were also able to hold their show in an adjacent ring. Hall 3 at the Royal Kennel Club building was light, spacious and an ideal venue. A certain amount of flexibility was required when classes clashed, and I am very grateful to my experienced stewards Chris Woolner and Caroline Wise for their hard work. They were calm, efficient and kept the ring running smoothly. With their help we finished in time to ensure that all those who had won major awards could get to their groups.
My sincere thanks to all the exhibitors for giving me such a quality entry and accepting my decisions in a sporting manner. We had very few absentees and I often had difficult decisions to make. In several classes, I would have liked some additional prize cards to award.
Coats did have an influence on the results, with those presented at their best, in a harsh, dense double jacket with thick pelt, being rewarded. A few exhibits would have benefitted from having their feet tidied to have achieved a neater picture. I found two kinked tails, two with incorrect dentition and all male dogs were entire.
I was delighted with my principal winners, who all fulfilled my interpretation of the breed standard on the day. It was a privilege to judge such an entry, and the lovely atmosphere, with applause and cheers for the winners, made it extra special.
I thoroughly enjoyed my day.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Jordith Vespera
Birmingham & District Gundog & Terrier Club Open Show
5th Oct 2024
Judge: Irene Glen (Wilholme/Bessalone)
Puppy /
First Place
Name at show: Jordith Vespera
Placing Critique
Litter sister to the previous winner but not as well developed at this stage as her sibling. Balanced throughout with a pleasing head and expression. Lovely front assembly with well padded feet. Firm topline and good tail set. Pleasing coat and pelt. Good width of second thigh. Moved well.
South Wales Kennel Association
13th Oct 2024
Judge: Mrs Trudi Baird (Dowgri)
I was honoured to accept SWKA's invitation to judge at their championship dog show where I received a warm welcome,even on cold day!
A Big applause to my two fabulous stewards ( I’m so sorry I forgot to make a note of your names – you were so appreciated by myself and the exhibitors)
It was such a very cold day inside the halls ,though myself being on my feet continuously moving,I kept warm.Unsurprisingly some dogs were feeling the chill and shivering on the table which showed how cold it was.
I was honoured and humbled to have such a fabulous entry both numerically and in quality, especially the limit & Open dog classes where I can quite rightly use the old cliche “I wish I had more cards to give out “, it's unfortunate when you have to let some dogs go unplaced that had great appeal, but such was the quality today .
Before my journey back to Cornwall that day I managed to stay and watch the groups where both the BoB & BPIB gave fantastic accounts of themselves, the exciting puppy gaining PGrp 1, he went back for the final day to go all the way to BPIS.
We were sadly unfortunate to have a large Terrier breed crated close by who's owners seemed unaware of the their unattended dogs behaviour ,every time human or dog traffic went by it caused them to “ kick off “frequently .This isn't fair on dogs on the table being examined or dogs on the move, therefore I had to stop judging twice until attempts to quieten the offending dogs were made.
A few points of note were-
A small handful of youngsters lacked body condition, I could feel ribs with no covering teamed with thin pelts. I believe diet & exercise comes into play here so consider what & how much you’re feeding , plus good exercise regime
Mouths were disappointing ,some with very small teeth & more untidy bites than I've encountered in the past.
Movement was ok in the main though it let down some otherwise beautiful exhibits who looked a picture stood but sadly fell apart on the move, we had the odd flicking out front foot , plaiting fronts, crabbing , wide rears & some loosing their top lines.
Lastly a plea – it would help immensely if exhibitors didn’t use excess bait on the table while a judge is trying hard to get a good clear look at bites ,it meant a fight to get a proper view of the mouth while a dog is having bait pushed in or the dog is busily chewing . Holding off baiting until the judge has got past the head would be most helpful.
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Jordith Vespera
Grantham & DCS Open Show
19th Oct 2024
Judge: Jane Eyeington (Meadowdale)
Junior /
Third Place
Name at show: Jordith Vespera
The Midland Border Terrier Club Open Show
20th Oct 2024
Judge: Mr Ken Fraser (Ycart)
I would like to thank the committee and the members of the club for allowing me to judge this show, special thanks to the committee for the appreciation gifts. The exhibitors who accepted the results sportingly and finally thanks must also go to the Stewards who made the show run with ease.
Movement unfortunately seems to be lacking in some exhibits namely fronts with a lack of reach due to short upper arms, as too are some rear movements with a lack of drive. This is a very important part of the breed not just to cover the ground efficiently but for the overall construction of the dog to perform its task as a working terrier. coats as always are in various stages which as long as there is evidence of a jacket with texture coming through should not be penalised. temperaments were on the whole good with no signs of aggression, another issue which seems to be creeping into the breed, this too is totally unacceptable for a working terrier and must be discouraged.
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Jordith Vespera
Placing Critique
Red grizzle, correct dentition, level topline stood and moving, thick loose pelt and good jacket.
Midland Counties Canine Society
25th Oct 2024
Judge: Professor A S Milton (Baillieswells)
Minor Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Jordith Vespera
East Anglia Border Terrier Club Open Show
16th Nov 2024
Judge: Sarah Pateman (Lessien)
I would like to thank the committee for inviting me to judge their open show. Also, all the exhibitors for such an amazing entry and for allowing me to go over their lovely Border Terriers. It was a great day with a quality entry and a good atmosphere. I was aware people had travelled and some afar and I was given the opportunity not to take a break for lunch to allow those that were driving to possibly not have to drive in the dark, so I think it worked out well in the end. Lots of dogs out of coat but I was aware Crufts is coming up so the timing is crucial for coats to be ready for the big day.
Puppy - Bitch /
First Place
Name at show: Jordith Vespera
Placing Critique
Feb 2024, G&T, Pretty bitch, good mouth, correct lay of shoulder, good topline and tail set, harsh jacket, lose pelt, moved ok.
Novice - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Jordith Vespera
Placing Critique
As before-First PB
West Midland Terrier Society Premier Open Show
30th Nov 2024
Judge: Amelie Smith (Alncroft)
Thank you very much to the WMTS society for inviting me to judge at their show once again. It was a pleasure officiating at such a well run show, organised by true terrier enthusiasts. I was very pleased with my entries for both Border and Jack Russell Terriers. I was very pleased with my principle winners. I would also like to extend my appreciation to the exhibitors for their entries.
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Jordith Vespera
Placing Critique
Of different type to 1. Very feminine young bitch, good length of neck, with a decent shoulder. Well boned and tight feet. Good topline and tuck up. Well bent stifle. Presented well. Moved OK when settled.
Burton on Trent KA Open show
8th Dec 2024
Judge: Helen Sutton (Benzali)
Puppy /
Second Place
Name at show: Jordith Vespera
Oakengates DCS Open Show
22nd Dec 2024
Judge: Mr Edward Allen (Penparc)
Junior /
Second Place
Name at show: Jordith Vespera
Luton CA Open Show
30th Dec 2024
Judge: Mr Stephen Goodwin (Lanola)
Puppy /
Third Place
Name at show: Jordith Vespera
Manchester Championship Show
19th Jan 2025
Judge: Mr Paul Wilkinson
Puppy - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Jordith Vespera
Wellingborough CS Centenery Open Show
26th Jan 2025
Judge: Heather Chaplin
As a former Chairman of this Society, I was delighted to receive an invitation to judge the Border Terriers at their Centenary Show. Thank you to the Secretary and the Committee for inviting me and to my stewards for keeping the ring running smoothly and efficiently at this well attended show. A very high quality and numerous entry awaited me, which was a wonderful challenge to have, so my sincere thanks to all the exhibitors who entered their lovely dogs under me and who accepted my decisions with good grace and sportsmanship. All dogs present were spannable and had good bites as well as exceptional temperaments and were a real pleasure to go over. I was thrilled when my BOB was awarded Terrier Group 1 and I was very pleased with all my class winners and placings. I very much enjoyed my day, so thank you everyone!
Puppy - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Jordith Vespera
Placing Critique
11 month old grizzle litter sister to 1st in JB and built on very similar lines but not quite as mature as her sister. Pleasing, feminine otter-like head and expression. Good front assembly with neat, tight feet. Good angles front and rear. Moderate bone. Easily spanned. Level topline and tail held well on the move. Shown in good coat and condition. Will improve on movement and balance with maturity
Cheltenham & District CS Open Show
23rd Feb 2025
Judge: Ms Cara Davani (Kebulak)
Puppy /
Third Place
Name at show: Jordith Vespera
Gloucester & DCS Open Show
1st Mar 2025
Judge: Geaham Dewdy
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Jordith Vespera
Crufts
6th Mar 2025
Judge: Mr David Hunt (Ottaswell)
It was a tremendous honour and a great privilege some 3 years ago to be asked by the Kennel Club to judge at Crufts in 2025. Having attended and enjoyed this show over many years it felt strange to be finally standing centre stage.
My grateful thanks to the exhibitors and handlers from both home and overseas for giving me a fantastic entry of 249 dogs making 279 entries. I wish to sincerely thank my 2 stewards Ken Francis and Bill Ashworth for organising the ring and me so efficiently and thus avoiding any delays between classes in what was a long and tiring day starting at 08.00. Thanks also to Joyce Martin for the excellent photographs.
I was looking for an exhibit that best fitted the standard and most importantly that they were spannable. With kennel cough widespread throughout the country I requested handlers show me the exhibits teeth to avoid possible further spread. On the day I tried to ensure that each dog was given equal time on the table and moving around the ring.
The general condition of most exhibits was fine with coats as usual at all stages and some appearing to have been stripped the day before. Movement was generally good at the rear but less so in front where several were loose and moving in various directions usually caused by poor shoulder construction. Feet were disappointing in some exhibits being spread and well down on their pasterns with thin pads. I found 2 kinked tails and in the mouths 2 undershot plus several with missing and misaligned teeth. All males were entire. Temperaments were good throughout the day.
I was pleased with my final lineups and delighted to see my Best of Breed make the shortlist and be awarded Group 4
Good Citizen - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Jordith Vespera
Oswestry & District Kennel Association Open Show
16th Mar 2025
Judge: Rhiannon Bevan (Daeagi)
Thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge at this friendly and well run show, and to my ring stewards who helped me to find my way in the ring, at my first judging appointment.
I was pleased to receive an entry of 15 exhibits, which offered me several high quality dogs to go over. I was also pleased to hear that it was a first show for some exhibitors - I hope they enjoyed their day.
Overall I found the standard to be high, with no bad mouths and clean teeth, well kept nails and tight feet and no kinked tails. Coats were varying, as some had recently been stripped out post Crufts, or just about to go over - which did effect some placings where judging was close.
Movement was a little disappointing across the breed today, with several dogs struggling with the mats and ring size, however most gave me enough to assess.
Junior /
First Place
Name at show: Jordith Vespera
Placing Critique
1st. A handy size G&T bitch of good bone and substance, large teeth for her size, set in an ok head that will likely grow on, with correct varminty expression. Easily spannable. Pelt exceptionally thick and correct wire jacket with a pleasing carrot tail, held well on the move
National Terrier Club
5th Apr 2025
Judge: Mr David Mitchell (Paleside)
Thank you to the National Terrier for the invite to judge, and to the exhibitors for an amazing entry,
I really enjoyed the day, and the chance to go over some lovely dogs.
Novice - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Jordith Vespera
Edwinstowe & DCS Premier Open Show
18th Apr 2025
Judge: Mr I Layfield (Dockwray/Fundoune)
Junior /
Reserve
Name at show: Jordith Vespera
