First Place in Open - Bitch, Judge: Mr Harold Ogden
This was such a special appointment and I am indebted to Bournemouth for the opportunity. You see it was “Aunty Eva” Heslop, the revered breeder of the Corburn Border Terriers, who drove me to my first ever allbreed Ch show in 1970. Eva took Sunday school in the Methodist chapel in Corbridge, Northumberland, and I was her secret weapon boy soloist at the competitive music festival! I particularly remember the beautiful Ch Corburn Corn Dolly shown by Mr Skeet. Bellingham show was not only local for me but THE Mecca for Geordie/Scots Borders. I have judged the breed since 1992 and been educated both by a breed club seminar in 2012 and by obtaining a JDP Credit in Nov 2013. That would theoretically have halved the KC Judges Sub requirement of 160 hands on. I actually had 200. I only mention all this as cynics assume the likes of me to have been “fast tracked” and / or to have no actual interest.
69 of the original 82 starters made it so I had plenty to work with. The bugbear was fronts whether steep /elbows /plaiting /hackney. As a toydog specialist I am accustomed to spotting lift / hackney that is often written into the breed standards. But this no decorative breed but rather a functional working terrier “capable of following a horse” that
requires endurance and hence a rhythmical swing straight through from the shoulders ensuring no wasted effort, He will tire all too quickly otherwise. Moreover the breed standard expressly includes in the Faults section an assessment of “its effect on the terrier’s ability to work”
4yrs; half sister to 2nd in OD; as you work your way through your entry so you are always looking to find THE exhibit that not only most represents YOUR interpretation of the breed standard but also screams “quality” and here she stood! classic breed type; superb stance; has some breadth & depth across her flat skull; stop not too pronounced; dark eye with keen expression; neat ear; clean front; correct degree of bone; spannable; well ribbed back; deep & narrow of fair length; strong loin; thick pelt; harsh, dense jacket; racy quarters; well let down in hock; straight; rhythmical’ effortless mover on ex feet. Bitch CC & BOB.