Show Placings
Ladies Kennel Association
12th Dec 2024
Judge: Miss Sally Leslie (Risdene)
Puppy - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Thornheswin Forever Blue
The Border Terrier Club Open Show
22nd Feb 2025
Judge: Andrea Dixon (Otterpaws)
Thank you to the club for the invitation to judge at one of my favourite breed club shows and the exhibitors for their entries. Thank you to my stewards Judy Carr and Kath Lothian. Overall, I found fronts to be very varied, ranging from wide to very narrow and resulting movement a reflection of this, most dogs were spannable. I found no issue with temperaments.
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Thornheswin Forever Blue
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
Junior - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Thornheswin Forever Blue
Scottish Kennel Club 206th Championship Show
17th May 2025
Judge: Mr J Gilpin (Otterbobs)
I would like to take this opportunity to thank each exhibitor for providing me with an excellent entry, and l would like to thank the Scottish Kennel Club for inviting me to judge at their General Championship Show, unfortunately l never got my ring stewards name but a massive thank you to you for keeping things flowing.
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Thornheswin Forever Blue
Scottish Kennel Club 205th Championship Show
17th May 2025
Judge: Mr Ian Hopper (Esyntona)
Thank you to the following.
SKC for inviting me to judge after my two previous appointments at Driffield were cancelled due to corvid restrictions and the storms.
The stewards who helped keeping the classes running smoothly at times we had to wait for exhibitors who were showing in the SKC Champ show in the adjacent ring.
To all the exhibitors who entered their dogs under me, I was looking for dogs that were fit for function for what they were originally bred for even though very few get the chance to carry this out.
Junior - Bitch /
Third Place
Name at show: Thornheswin Forever Blue
Blackpool & District Canine Society
22nd Jun 2025
Judge: Miss Tracey James (Blackmine)
Thank you to everyone who entered under me. It was a pleasure to judge all your dogs. I found it difficult to judge to a particular type as the best dogs came from different sizes and types, and I believe there is a place for them all if they fit the breed standard. Most of the dogs had evidence of a double coat. As coats are constantly changing, I did not heavily penalise any for very tweedy coats or lacking some coat as long as they were presented in a tidy manner.
Junior - Bitch /
Very Highly Commended
Name at show: Thornheswin Forever Blue
Class Critique
A lovely class of youngsters
The Northern Border Terrier Club Open Show
5th Oct 2025
Judge: Libby Wain (Itsaso)
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Reserve
Name at show: Thornheswin Forever Blue
South Wales Kennel Association
9th Oct 2025
Judge: Mrs Trak Fryer (Irton)
Thanks to the exhibitors for giving me such a good entry, mid-week and in the depths of Wales! A lot of absentees in the dogs but some outstanding bitch classes which were a fascinating puzzle to sort out. There were some very nice dogs of good type but overall I think we are in danger of losing some of the essence of the breed. They are essentially working terriers which to me implies a certain outlook on the world. I try not to penalise exhibits for over fussy handling but I prefer to see a dog that can stand and show on its’ own, that is presented in fit condition and a reasonably tidy coat, and that covers the ground without fuss and flap. We were given an excellent ring, movement in general was better than I had expected. Heads were in general OK but many lacking strength over the jaw. I found virtually all dogs spannable though some were a bit heavy over the rib, pelts were also generally good.
The standard talks about eyes, ears, feet & tails, these are all important for different reasons but are often ignored. Very good feet were a rarity as were good tails, many being rather long and some a bit too gay. Having moaned about all these bits I would say that there were some excellent exhibits that were a joy to go over and which bode well for the future of the breed.
Post Graduate - Bitch /
Second Place
Name at show: Thornheswin Forever Blue
Placing Critique
Another good sized bitch, good head and expression . Shorter that 1 but OK, shown in a very sharp B&T coat and moving OK.
