Show Type: Championship
Venue: Asfordby Acres, Hoby Rd, Asfordby, LE14 3SL
Judge: Mrs C Archibald (Dogs) Mrs L M Ward (Bitches) Ref Mr T Tuck
Entries: 158 dogs entered inc 6 NFC, 68 dogs & 102 bitche entries
Website: www.mbtc.org.uk/...
Referee’s Report:
I was asked to make the final decisions for BIS, Res BIS, BOS, and Best Veteran. It was a real pleasure to go over these quality borders.
BIS: I thought that the dog Brewster and Green’s Stowthorney Wicker Man JW, and the bitch Irving’s Dandyhow Pandora, were both eye-catching borders though quite different. The dog was very well constructed throughout, with a typical otter-like head, strong muzzle and large teeth. He had good angulation front and rear, moved well, and was in good coat. The bitch was a handy size, with an attractive outline and balanced overall proportions. She also had a thick pelt and correct coat though I think it was not yet at its best. I just favoured the dog for BIS on the strength of his head, his overall outline, and coat on the day.
Res BIS: I felt that Tuffin’s Hartswelin Veritas with Oatberry edged it over the bitch for similar reasons to those given above. He shared a lot of qualities with BIS, having a lovely outline and angulation, a good otter-like head, and an excellent coat and pelt.
BOS: Irving’s Dandyhow Pandora.
Best Veteran: Both veterans were eye-catching and typical borders, with very good coats. The dog, Jackson’s Clipstone Starshine, had a lovely head and expression, and I liked his outline and overall proportions. The bitch, Dean’s Ch Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star, had balanced proportions and she was very well constructed all through. I thought her neat front and shoulders, plus her hind angulation gave her the edge for Best Veteran.
Referee: Terence Tuck
DOGS
My sincere thanks to the MBTC for inviting me to judge the dogs at this show. Also thank you to all the exhibitors for their support. A very convivial atmosphere, it was so good to be out and about with dogs again. The weather did it’s best to stay fair, ideal temperature for dog showing. I found movement still to be an issue, particularly front, also small teeth, the odd broken or missing tooth, and some dirty teeth too! Size and weight need to be addressed – some too heavy, the other end of the spectrum, needed a good feed!! Jackets at various stages, good to see some exhibits in full coat, a rarity these days. I was very happy with my winners and pleased the referee agreed in part.
BITCHES
Many thanks to the club for the invitation to judge, to the exhibitors for a nice entry and my steward Carol Smith for keeping the ring running smoothly.
As ever at this show the atmosphere was relaxed and friendly but was tinged today with poignancy by the sad loss of so many of our good friends. I must mention Dawn Bladen who has been a close friend since 1995 when we had a litter brother and sister by my dog. On principle Dawn didn’t show under me so would again have been at the ringside today with her camera. We miss them all and hope to continue to see their families and friends amongst us.
There was a noticeable diversity in both type and overall size today. My chief concern was exhibits that came very heavily to hand and often in combination with being very difficult (for a man’s hands) to span. It really needs to be addressed if we are to keep the Border “Essentially a working terrier”, as the standard lays down.
There was only one mouth with misplaced teeth and I was especially pleased to find so many otter-like heads.
Coats were generally good for texture and depth and good undercoats on thick pelts predominated. B/T jackets were especially harsh and dense and I aplaud the breeders who have achieved this huge improvement compared to the B/Ts of the 90’s.
Today tough pads were plentiful but it was a pity that feet on some exhibits appeared to be bigger and flatter than they actually were when this could be easily remedied by trimming.
Tails seem to get thinner and longer each time I judge. In this entry we have overcome the problem of kinks that was evident for some years but with the loss of the desired carroty shape and moderately short length which finishes off the typical Border outline.
Overall I was pleased to find good fitness and muscle tone plus good condition and only one that needed a good dinner and a couple that had obviously enjoyed too many.
I was very happy with my lineup and fully expect to see several going on to the higher honours which they narrowly missed out on today.
My colleague judge and I cordially agreed to disagree when it came to the final accolades (in each case having a preference for the sex we had judged) so referee Tez Tuck was kept busy to the very end with his decisions accepted with good grace by the exhibitors.
Best In Show: Stowthorney Wicker Man JW
Reserve Best In Show: Hartswelin Veritas With Oatberry
Best Opposite Sex: Dandyhow Pandora
DCC: Stowthorney Wicker Man JW
RDCC: Hartswelin Veritas With Oatberry
Best Puppy - Dog: Ravenside Churchill
BCC: Dandyhow Pandora
RBCC: CH Ravenside Marsha At Jordith JW
Best Puppy - Bitch: Picer Bess Pool
Best Puppy: Picer Bess Pool
Best Opposite Sex Puppy: Ravenside Churchill
Best Veteran - Dog: Clipstone Starshine
Best Veteran - Bitch: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Best Veteran: CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW
Entries: 3 Absentees: 1
1st - Ravenside Churchill (Mr G & Mr D & Mr M Ingram & Alcorn & Lowry)
gr in good order, well set ears on a good shaped head, typical expression, straight front, level topline held on the move, thick pelt and decent jacket, neat feet, moved well with drive from the rear. BPD
2nd - Alcumlow Aramis (Mr P, Mrs B & Miss R Barber)
b/t leggier than 1, with longer muzzle, neat ears, good reach of neck, excellent pelt and jacket, plenty of ticking, wasn’t quite as positive on the move.
Entries: 7 Absentees: 1
1st - Ycart In with Hounds (Mr K K & Mrs T J Fraser & Butler)
gr a very good example of the breed, not overdone in any way, alert expression, excellent pelt and jacket, excelled in rib, well boned throughout, all in proportion. moved out well.
2nd - The Joker Let's Rock and Roll to Fevstone (Mrs D Bullen)
lighter gr rangier than 1, strong muzzle, with good dentition, neatly set ears, enough bone, well laid rib, didn’t drive from the rear as well as 1.
3rd - Raedwulf Alchemy (Miss J Singh)
Res - Otterbobs Brimmer (Mr J R & Mrs H Gilpin)
VHC - Glenorchy Rooney (Mrs M Davies)
Entries: 5 Absentees: 1
Close decision between these two!
1st - Chesterton Merlot (Mr A J & Mrs W Mooney)
lovely headed dog gr dog, with a super straight front, neat feet, decent length of body covered by a tight jacket. Moved well fore and aft.
2nd - Thornheswin Huntsman (Mr. J.C.Dixon)
workmanlike b/t in heavy coat, thick pelt, decent head, well boned, moved better behind than in front, still liked his presence.
3rd - Micustins Little Tiger (Mr M McNicholas)
Res - Mysulan Easy Street (Mrs V Hall)
Entries: 5 Absentees: 2
1st - Lessien Buckle N Boots (Miss S Pateman)
gr in good order, everything in moderation, super jacket and pelt, typical expressive head with good dentition, neat feet which moved him out with purpose.
2nd - Goldenmill Houdini At Raedwulf (Mr M & Mrs V Atkinson)
narrow gr, with varminty expression, a bit short of coat, nice size, spanned well, front movement not as positive as 1.
3rd - Knowecrag Tam O'shanter By Irton (Mr D & Mrs A Fryer)
Entries: 8 Absentees: 1
1st - Fisherbloom Dont Stop Me Now At Louajak (Miss C Gwilliam)
attractive gr not overdone in any way, pleasing head with lovely dark ears and muzzle, good reach of neck leading to well laid ribs, right amount of bone, topline well carried by an excellent mover.
2nd - Howthwaite Sylvester (Mr P Armstrong)
similar in type to 1, narrow, supporting a thick jacket and pelt, decent head with nice bright eye and expression, neat feet, moved well.
3rd - Chesterton Merlot (Mr A J & Mrs W Mooney)
Res - Raedwulf Alchemy (Miss J Singh)
VHC - Alcumlow Aramis (Mr P, Mrs B & Miss R Barber)
Entries: 4 Absentees: 0
1st - Hartswelin Veritas With Oatberry (Mrs K Tuffin)
a very smart in proportion gr, with a lovely typical head, neatly set ears, easily spanned, in great condition, decent body length, racy rear, finished with a carroty tail, best mover in the class, was not as animated in the challenge as the DCC winner, but a pleasure to award him DRCC.
2nd - Brankell Big Break For Grindelvald (Mrs M Bailey)
another very attractive gr, a tad heavy in ear, lovely tight jacket, well muscled in fit condition, well balanced overall.
3rd - Farlacroft My Friend Walter (Mr M Wait)
Res - Borderstream Zodiak (Mr & Mrs S Ward)
Entries: 4 Absentees: 1
1st - Rhozzum Worrick (Mrs M Sharp)
lighter gr, narrow throughout easy spanned, in good condition, alert expression, neatly set ears, well muscled through the rear, tail carried well, moved out well.
2nd - Glen Mara Oh Viedo At Kersfell JW (Mrs M Sneddon)
similar remarks to 1, strong head with lovely dark points, spannable, well laid rib, neat feet, which he moved well on.
3rd - Onthill Nighthawk (AV)1 (Mr V J & Mrs M Pearce)
Entries: 12 Absentees: 2
1st - Otterbobs Tolson (Mr J R & Mrs H Gilpin)
gr in super condition, typical ottery border head, enough bone, excelled in shoulder, ribs carried well back, well set tail, moved truly without effort , would like to see him in full maturity, a strong contender for higher honours
2nd - Brackenfell Rock The Boat For Vandamere JW ShCEx (Mr S Pollit)
gr masculine headed dog, srong muzzle, good shoulders, thick harsh jacket also moved well.
3rd - Reedwater Doc Holliday By Dassett (Mrs S Spafford)
Res - Achouffe McKay's Fable of Redesholt (Mrs S McKay)
VHC - Thornheswin Ring Of Fire (Mr J C Dixon)
Entries: 11 Absentees: 2
1st - Stowthorney Wicker Man JW (Mr R Brewster & Ms J Green)
gr what an eyecatching young man! Shown in full double jacket (which may have made him look heavier than he is) covering a thick pelt, spannable, strong typical head with a kindly expression, good reach of neck, well laid ribs, muscular body, well balanced throughout, neat feet that carried him effortlessly around the ring, delighted to award him the DCC. BOB
2nd - Yorkpiece Fiery Lucifer (Mrs J L Lee)
b/t full of life, finer made than 1, all in proportion, typical border head, with dark expressive eye, short muzzle, neatest of ears, easy spannable, harsh jacket with plenty of ticking, neat feet, good body length, finished with a carroty tail. Moved with drive.
3rd - Cedarhill Melt In The Mouth (Mrs C Dean)
Res - CH Dassett Last Waltz JW (Mrs S Spafford)
VHC - Howthwaite in Voice (Mr R J & Mrs E A Barrett)
Entries: 1 Absentees: 0
1st - Borderstream Zodiak (Mr & Mrs S Ward)
gr stood alone in this class, was Res in GD, decent head a little finer made than some exhibits, would have liked a bit more muscle tone, moved ok.
Entries: 8 Absentees: 4
1st - Clipstone Starshine (Miss E & Mrs J Jackson)
an 8yr old dark gr in fabulous condition, tightest of jackets, super head, expressive attitude, strong jaw tinged with a bit of grey, distinguished! So well balanced, moved with purpose and drive. BVD
2nd - CH Bandicoot Doc Martin (Ms V L K Docwra)
another lovely gr boy of 7 yrs, so little to split these two, also in great condition, narrow throughout, well muscled, another great mover.
3rd - CH Howthwaite Grainsgill (Mr R J & Mrs E A Barrett)
Res - Glebeheath Smash N'grab At Jordith (Mrs L.M.I & Mr A.M. Jordan-Smith)
Entries: 0 Absentees: 0
Entries: 7 Absentees: 1
1st - Picer Bess Pool (Mr G & Mrs S Pickering)
Attractive and well-balanced b/t in dense jacket. Strong feminine head with good underjaw and keen expression. Sensible size and moving well for age. BPB & BPIS
2nd - Holteal Halfpenny Worth (Mrs G Vaughan)
Lovely front and narrow throughout. Correct topline and tailset. Well-presented and strode out holding her topline.
3rd - Oh Vienna TAF (Mr A J & Mrs W Mooney)
Res - Foxwater Destiny Angel at Chorbeck (Mrs H Haughton)
VHC - Pipruda Star Struck (Mrs J Alpe)
Entries: 9 Absentees: 2
1st - Raedwulf Mata Hari (Mr M & Mrs V Atkinson)
Another youngster with a strong yet feminine head with moderate breadth of skull and strong jaw. Super dense jacket with undercoat and thick skin to match. Carrot shaped tail completed the overall picture.
2nd - Foxfactor Happy Go Lucky (Mrs K D Stockley)
Well angulated with narrow front and flowing bodylines. Coat not at its best but enough evidence to book her place.
3rd - Dottie Pip by Dassett (Mrs S Spafford)
Res - Ycart In To Deep (Mr K K & Mrs T J Fraser & Butler)
VHC - Jordith Sapphire Storm (Mrs L.M.I & Mr A.M. Jordan-Smith)
Entries: 5 Absentees: 0
1st - Emblehope Let's Dance At Redesholt (Mrs S McKay)
It was love at first sight for this handy sized youngster with excellent b/t jacket. Ottery head, keen expression, balanced angulation, sound movement and correctly shaped tail. So typical and a very strong contender in the challenge.
2nd - Earthtaw Making Magic with Clipstone (Mrs E & Mrs J Jackson)
Straight narrow front with depth of rib and easy span. Moved beautifully holding her topline level. Well presented but coat not at its best.
3rd - Fiagai Mara Sunset (Miss A Dawson & Miss A Speake)
Res - Bowencloud Amber Dram (Mrs S Ruth)
VHC - Borderrush Magic Bean (Miss A J Hall)
Entries: 10 Absentees: 2
1st - Picer Isabel Derby (Mr G & Mrs S Pickering)
Lovely type from grand head to carroty tail. Rich r/g coat. Stood well over the ground. Moderate bone good to span and nothing overdone.
2nd - Caeruleum Fox at Northborders (Miss J North)
B/t a shade up on the leg from 1. Balanced and moving well just not the easier span of the winner.
3rd - Tarkaswell High Fidelity (Mrs C E Samsom)
Res - Howthwaite's Resolution (Mr R J & Mrs E A Barrett)
VHC - Blaisdon Stir of Echos (Mr J N & Miss A J Thomas)
Entries: 11 Absentees: 3
1st - Tarkaswell Sea The Stars (Mrs C E Sansom)
Style and quality combined. Correct head proportions strong muzzle and wide nostrils. Narrow front and well laid shoulders flowing to racey hindquarters enabling sound movement. Pressed hard in the challenge.
2nd - Olliesorchid Dame at Ragatam (Miss T J Peacock)
Another good one with decent head and coat. Pushed hard for the class but couldn’t quite match the movement and head qualities of 1.
3rd - Southash Lavender Blue At Oatberry (Mrs K Tuffin)
Res - Foxfactor Happy Go Lucky (Mrs K D Stockley)
VHC - Fisherbloom Killer Queen At Thistlewhiss (Miss A J Sutton)
Entries: 6 Absentees: 4
1st - Twigglestone Serendipite (Mrs L I Aldous)
Strong head and hard-bitten expression. Showed well and little to criticise. Left her coat at home.
2nd - Umbala Sirocco (Mr & Mrs G J Fordham & Mrs G Cove-Print)
Unplaced in Novice. Very heavily ticked b/t coat of crisp texture is this one’s forte.
Entries: 7 Absentees: 3
1st - Ebffiniau Bluebell Before Summer At Tojamatt (Miss E Brinkley)
Looking every inch a worker with nothing overdone. Narrow straight front. Ribbed well back. Moved well.
2nd - Nottorg Name of the Game (Mrs A Taylor)
Feminine and having lots to like. Well balanced and in good coat. Beaten by narrower front and movement of 1.
3rd - Twigglestone Somethin Else For Lessien (Miss S J Pateman)
Res - Goxfell Reivers Rose (Mrs J Stamp & Mr D Joyce)
Entries: 17 Absentees: 7
1st - Glebeheath Button It (Mrs J Guvercin)
Stepped into the ring and instantly owned it. Moved soundly with well laid shoulder and rear angulation enabling good reach and drive with topline kept. Feminine head with ears close to cheek. Seriously considered in the challenge.
2nd - Benattivo Flower Girl (Mrs S J & Mr C P Girling)
A size down from 1. Loved her for type. Dense jacket on good pelt. Tail set on well and of correct shape. Outshone by showmanship today.
3rd - Alcumlow Bloom JW (Mr P, Mrs B & Miss R Barber)
Res - Raedwulf Nocturn (Mr M & Mrs V Atkinson)
VHC - Ycart Hunts Bays N Stays (Mr K K & Mrs T J Fraser & Butler)
Entries: 15 Absentees: 5
1st - Dandyhow Pandora (Mrs K Irving)
Classic type who fits the standard so well. Unlike some this handy sized bitch gets even better with hands on. Ottery head set well on to neck which flows smoothly to well laid shoulders through narrow body with ribs laid back to correct tailset and racey hindquarters. In good coat she was an easy span and came well to hand. Feminine, fit and appearing game and active throughout she stole the show for me. BCC & BOS
2nd - CH Ravenside Marsha At Jordith JW (Mrs L.M.I & Mr A.M. Jordan-Smith)
All Border this beautifully presented and fit bitch has a good head shape with broad skull little stop a keen expression and short strong muzzle. Quality all through and like the first she was alert and raring to go. RBCC
3rd - Otterbobs Duchess (Mr J R & Mrs H Gilpin)
Res - Goldenmill Illusion at Vandamere (Miss J Singh)
VHC - Howthwaite Gay Dusky (Mr R J & Mrs E A Barrett)
Entries: 6 Absentees: 3
1st - Nottorg Name of the Game (Mrs A Taylor)
2nd in PG. Same remarks apply won this class on movement.
2nd - Fisherbloom Killer Queen At Thistlewhiss (Miss A J Sutton)
VHC in Novice. Nice expression. Thick skin.
3rd - Kenaiteen April Fools Day (Miss C Salkeld)
Entries: 9 Absentees: 5
1st - CH Cedarhill Wish Upon a Star JW (Mrs C Dean)
At 9 years this lovely headed bitch is typical throughout. Her balanced construction enabled sound easy movement whilst keeping her topline. Seriously considered for top honours. BV & BVIS
2nd - CH Nantcoch Ffion JW ShCM (Mrs J M Phillips)
10 years old and looking good. Sound and fit belying her years. Liked her a lot and unlucky to meet the winner.
3rd - Borderxpress Miss Potter (Mr R Wright)
Res - Hunted Thistle At Thistlewhiss (Miss A J Sutton & Mr M Sugden)
Entries: 0 Absentees: 0