ONYX

Leeds Championship Show 25 July 2009

Critique - Judge Mr Colin Waddell (Riqitta)

Thanks to the exhibitors for bringing your dogs for me to judge. I was hoping to find an Irish Setter that would display precisely the essence of the breed, through a combination of breed characteristics, poise and movement. I felt the bitches were more consistent in type than the dogs and this could be observed in my line ups. Sadly I had two points of concern among my entry. I found lack of muscle tone on some unplaced exhibits and also some rather plain heads, not having the desired brow or stop to give true Irish expression. I must say I was thrilled with my winners.

MPD (4, 1) 1st: WOOD’s Reddins Falcon, this nicely constructed young pup, set the tone of the day, he was presented in shining coat, he certainly was not a robot, displaying plenty of character, with the hint of mischief, gave his handler a hard time on the move to begin with, but once settled moved with animation. 2nd: HOLEHAN & NORTH’s Gwendariff Whata Klass Act, larger puppy than one, plenty of bone and already great depth of brisket, carrying a little too much weight and just needs to loose all his fluffy puppy coat to compete, moved ok. 3rd: MORGAN’s Gwendariff Watan Ambassdor.

PD (3) 1st: TULLY’s Highclare Knights Tail, free and easy mover and was the best on the move in the class, lovely shape and outline, head developing nicely, has a soft expression, low set ears, ample reach of neck and was in excellent bloom. 2nd: KNIVETON’s Feylinci Beachcomber At Orstone, nice puppy, darker coated than one, and gleaming in the sunshine, has depth substance and forechest, pleasing head and expression, just lost out on movement. 3rd: OLBINSON’s Haremach's Sweeney Todd.

JD (10, 2) 1st: BUCHAN’s Loskeran Dream Maker, impressive, he immediately took my attention, good breed type, has a pleasant head, with dark eyes, and soft expression, correct outline and tailset, nicely constructed, excellent reach of neck, well sprung ribs and decent front and angles. Super mover, well presented and handled. 2nd: BARKER-BELL’s Balintyne Wish Me Luck, quality youngster, in excellent muscle tone, scoring well on the move, with good front extension and drive from his strong quarters. In lovely coat, not quite the head and expression of the winner. 3rd: VALLANCE’s Braidmount Midnight Roue.

YD (3). 1st: BUCHAN’s Loskeran Dream Maker, 2nd: RIDDELL’s Cataluna Doc Holliday Via Trunorth, finer in head than one, he is a stylish dog with good front & rear angles. Steady on the move. 3rd: HARVEY’s Jubliana Murphy Midnight Star.

GD (8) 1st: MILLIGAN-BOTT’s Thendara Kramer, Beautifully presented young man, in super coat and condition, nice conformation, which is free from any exaggeration, he has good front assembly and powerful well developed quarters, which allow him to move with freedom, giving great driving movement, superbly handled, one to watch. 2nd: MUGFORD’s Lynwood Field Of Dreams JW, a most handsome dog, for my preference I just wish his coat was a shade darker, he possesses a divine head, with such soft expression, reminiscent of his sire, he has well sprung ribs, and well bent stifles and has a good topline, tailset bone and feet. Moved well with nice tail action. 3rd: BROWN’s Caskeys Hazard.

PGD (8) 1st: BOTT’s Bardonhill Ginger-Whinger JW, In great coat and condition, what a beautiful head with desired chiselling and dark expressive eyes, full of devilment, excels in topline and shoulder placement. Good croup and bend of stifle, moved freely on a pleasing trotting stride. 2nd: BARKER-BELL’s Balintyne Chances Are JW, Lovely dark coated male, immaculately turned out, good size, well off for bone, has a masculine head, nice face and expression, just lost out on movement to the winner. 3rd: KNIVETON’s Serrula Playaround At Orstone.

LD (10) 1st: LAKE’s Caskeys Checkmate, quality dog of very good breed type, looking super, nice size, lovely shape and outline, Attractive head, good depth of chest and well sprung ribs, has neat well arched feet. Moved well in his class, unfortunately when it came to the challenge later, he was a little lethargic. 2nd: MILLIGAN-BOTT’s Scotselaw Detroit Spinner By Thendara JW, another dog I like a lot, so unlucky to meet the winner. Flashy dog, with loads of wonderful glamorous coat and profuse feathering. In excellent bloom. Pleasing head and expression, nicely constructed all through, lovely depth to body, grand neck and lay of shoulder. Moved out well enough from strong quarters. I just preferred the head and expression of one. 3rd: BOX’s Fernstart Irish Red.

OD (6) 1^st & CC: SMITH’s Reddins Pause At Magiconkers, Pulling out all the stops, superbly fit and well conditioned. Handsome dog with excellent bone, body and outline. I was very impressed with the overall quality of this most worthy Show Champion. I loved his beautifully moulded head, with raised brows, his expression is keen and alert, but at the same time soft and quizzical. His glorious dark mahogany coat was in tremendous order. He moved around the ring as though he could go all day, from excellent quarters with defined second thigh. Absolutely bang on form, had to be at his best to beat 2^nd in this hotly contested class. 2^nd & Res CC: MCLARNON’s Northamber Just Cause For Glenavna JW, I wish I had a second CC, really tough decision here. Super dog of excellent conformation & balance, with many of his sire’s excellent attributes, commands attention, masculine head with dark expressive eyes, has nice arch to neck into good shoulders, he has a deep brisket with gently sloping topline. Covered the ground so well on the move, absolutely true coming and going. Fabulous coat and presentation. 3rd: LORRIMER’s Sh Ch Danaway Destiny.

MPB (4, 1). The breeders must be very pleased to have bred these three delightful puppies. 1st: DOUTHWAITE & WHARFE’s Gracewood Shannon, the overall picture of this baby puppy is most pleasing from the pretty head, with sweet expression, which sits on a nicely arched neck, followed by a compact body with good tailset and developing rear quarters, shown in sparkling coat. 2nd: DOUTHWAITE & WHARFE’s Gracewood Irish Sea, like her litter sister, appealed with many similar virtues, just preferred the expression of winner, as there was nothing to choose between them in relation to movement. 3rd: ROWE’s Gracewood Fair Isle.

PB (5). 1^st & BP: SMITH’s Cordarragh Olivia, An absolute charmer, shown in silky gleaming coat, quality puppy bitch with everything required at this stage, she has a lovely head with bright expressive eyes. Her construction is coming along nicely; already she has good depth to chest, with excellent spring of rib and adequate bend of stifle. Could certainly move well around the ring with a light spring to her stride, exciting prospect for the future. 2nd: BLACKSHAW’s Lanstara Lollipop, another promising puppy, with the right essentials, lovely refined head, good body shape developing, moved ok. 3rd: STANSFIELD’s Feylinci Shellseeker.

JB (12) 1st: HUNTER & BROWN’s Braidmount Midnight Lady, beautiful young lady, her coat is in smashing condition, soft to the touch, has all the appeal of the young with energy to spare. So very feminine with the most appealing and inquisitive expression. She has good front & rear angles, nice depth, correct feet and set on of tail, great mover. 2nd: LORRIMER’s Danaway Dominique, eye catching stylish bitch, her coat glowed with health and care, she is very nicely constructed with a good reach of neck ,well laid shoulders, and has smart rear quarters, a little more demure than one, with the sweetest expression , trotted along very well on the move. 3rd: BARKER-BELL’s Balintyne Luck Be A Lady

YB (7). Close between the first three in this class 1st: MUGFORD’s Lynwood Started With A Kiss JW, , super girl, very nice type, she has a grand body shape, and has an attractive outline and is well angulated throughout, scores in head features and expression, beautifully presented silky coat of rich colour, moving correctly and with elegance, narrowly beating her sister. 2nd: WATERTON’s Lynwood Kissed By An Angel At Sandstream JW, also very stylish, nicely put together, has a lovely head with gentle expression, has good front and rear angles and nice tight feet. Looking good standing and only lost to first on movement. 3rd: WATT’s Shenanagin Suga Babe JW.

GB (15) 1st: HOGSFLESH’s Lyngor Living Water JW, striking bitch, full of quality, has great appeal in construction throughout, good neck and shoulders , firm topline , gently sloping downwards from the withers,, nice body shape, pleasing limbs and feet, excellent head and expression, shown in glossy coat, lovely mover. 2nd: WHEELDON’s Glenlaine Wedding Vows, very nicely balanced head, good eye shape, correct reach of neck with well placed shoulders. Pleasing in body for depth and spring of rib, good angulation front and rear, nice coat and a balanced picture in profile. Positive and very sound on the move. 3rd: ROUT ‘s Shaytell My Happiness.

PGB (11, 4) 1st: HINSLEA’s Northamber Causin A Riot JW, teeming with quality from nose to tail, beautiful dark coated bitch in splendid bloom ,looking superb in outline, has a lovely head with soft melting expression, just right in body with sound and racy quarters. Moved with ease, on a loose lead, pressed very close for Res CC. 2nd: HALL’s Glennara Lehana JW, another first class exhibit of obvious quality. She scores well in head properties, she has such a soft Irish Expression, lovely body with everything as it should be. Very pleasing coat in lovely condition. Moved with flair. 3rd: SMITH’s Reddins Holly.

LB (9, 2). It was splitting hairs between these three, 1st: MUGFORD’s Lynwood Follow Your Dreams JW, lovely profile, super reach of neck and gorgeous typical Irish head, well chiselled, absolute quality throughout, so stylish, won this class with her lovely fluent driving movement. Presented in first class condition and handled to advantage. 2nd: WILKINS Margretwoods Kitty Cat JW, she was best puppy in show when I last judged her, and she has still great appeal for me, she possesses a delightful head with dark eyes and lovely raised brows. Excellent shape and outline. Moved freely and positively, in superb coat. 3rd: WARNER’s Strathmead Snowbunting JW.

OB (8, 1) Another class of close decisions, CC & BOB: HUNTER & BROWN’s Sh Ch Braidmount Geisha Girl, in pristine condition, very well known with such an impressive show career so far. I was delighted to award the CC and Best of Breed to this wonderful representative of the breed. She had my admiration from the moment I went over her. When you look at her she oozes quality, everything flows gracefully in her construction. On the move one observed her free flowing driving movement, with super head carriage, creating a picture of balance and co-ordination. 2nd:& Res CC HERON’s Sh Ch Caskeys Happy Hour JW, A favourite, lovely size, she exudes femininity, beautiful bitch in profile, scoring in overall balance, she has an enchanting head with quizzical brow, giving that exquisite soft wistful expression. She has an elegant neck, lovely front bone & feet with excellent rear quarters. Not giving all when moving for top honour in the challenge. Well handled and presented. 3rd: WATT’s Sh Ch Shenanagin Shooting Star.

Colin N Waddell

Congratulations to -

Sh.Ch. Braidmount Geisha Girl

Bitch Challenge Certificate and Best of Breed
Leeds Championship Show 25 July 2009

Photo: Ian Newsham

Owned by Mona Hunter and Will Brown

Dog Challenge Certificate:

Sh.Ch. Reddins Pause at Magiconkers

Photo: Ian Newsham

Owned by Jim and Priscilla Smith