First Place in Open - Bitch, Judge: Mrs T J Baird
I would like to extend my sincerest thanks to the society for the invitation to judge and for the wonderful welcome and hospitality.
The day was made even more pleasurable thanks to my two lovely stewards Colin and Margret who kept the ring in order and most importantly were pleasant and friendly.
The ring was a very good size;it was a joy to judge outside with the beautiful back drop of the Malvern Hills ,even the weather was perfect -not too hot and a slight breeze. The ground however was uneven with the grass rather long, causing some dogs to hop and skip making assessment of some dog’s movement difficult.
I found a good breadth of quality in some of the Bitch classes and some nit picking decisions had to be made, notably in the excellent junior bitch class.
Size needs to be watched as some youngsters were very difficult to span, coats were on the whole very good with just a few that had recently been stripped out and a couple of blown coats.
A of couple of exhibits had kinked tails and a couple of youngsters with level bites, all the males were entire.
Thank you to the sporting exhibitors for entering and accepting my decisions, I am honoured to judge so many quality Border terriers and was pleased to watch the best of breed short listed in the group, later hearing the puppy gained Puppy group 4.
Very eye catching lighter coloured Grizzle and tan. Such an appealing strong feminine otter like head with dark eye and neat dark ear. She is narrow through shoulder into well carried back ribs; she’s balanced with just enough length of body, super firm topline and correct tailset with a short thick carroty tail. Front is narrow with excellent bone. Presented today to perfection with a harsh dense, crisp coat with a thick and pliable pelt. She’s spot on for size and spans easily. I think she came to the show today with a mission, to win the CC as she pulled out all the stops in her class and again in the challenge where she moved hitting the end of the lead showing her super purposeful true movement, she wouldn’t let me over ignore her. No hesitation in awarding her the BCC which I am told is her 3rd. Congratulations to the owner breeder on your new champion.