03/07/2025
Show: Mid-Western Gundog Society
Date: Sunday 29th June 2025
Judge: Mrs Sandy Lane (Kulawand)
Thank you to Mid-Western Gundog Society for inviting me to judge some lovely stakes and veteran classes, BVIS, BIS and BPIS. I had a fabulous day judging some excellent gundogs. This show has many variety classes and the exhibitors seemed busy and happy despite the weather being a tad on the hot side; a truly good-humoured atmosphere. In the end, I decided to judge the Best In show inside the halls, since the floor was even and the sun was just a bit too hot when the clouds disappeared in the outdoor rings. All in all, a very friendly society that truly enjoys holding a proper gundog show. Thank you to my superb stewards for organising the ring so competently.
Junior Stakes Class (31 entries, 10 abs)
1st Kennedy’s Droveborough Hells Bells
A very super class where several of them could have won today but my first place was a liver and white pointer bitch who took my eye on the move with a fabulous reach and equally strong rear drive. She is very well made, with well-laid shoulders; a good return of upper arm, straight forelegs and beautifully arched, neat feet. Standing, she gives a clean and impressive outline.
2nd Clunie’s Warrentor Abilene
Another good mover, this time a golden retriever bitch who was shown in good coat with a feminine head, dark eyes, good reach of neck and a level top-line. Tail carried correctly level with the top-line on the move. Standing with straight forelegs, she also has a good bend of stifle, well-let down hocks and straight back pasterns.
Champion Stakes (12 entries)
1st McDonald’s Sh. Ch. Roanjora Rioja Crianza
A very well-made Irish Red and White setter bitch, with a proportionally broad head with ears set level. She has a relatively dark eye. Her neck is well-moderately long into well-laid shoulders and has a balanced return of upper arm. She was shown in good coat, with a good spring of rib and a well-muscled body which ensured she moved well with good reach and drive.
2nd Falconer’s Sh.Ch. Contemporary Beguile Again via Siatham JW
A very neat and pleasing golden retriever bitch with a feminine balanced head. Ears well set, eyes very expressive with good pigmentation. Standing she has equally good fore and aft angulation creating a pleasing outline. Her shoulders are well laid back onto a level top-line and well-set tail. She also has good bend of stifle. An efficient well-made and fit body creates efficient movement. A little more coat could have made her top jolly.
Veteran Stakes (7-9 years old) (16 entries, 2 abs)
1st Moutrey’s Sunzo Songstar
A 9-year-old red cocker spaniel bitch presented with a very well-prepared coat. She is well b***d and very fit. She has a balanced head, pleasing eyes, a square muzzle and she has a good well-muscled neck onto sloping shoulders, a good spring of rib and a level top-line sloping slightly into her tail set. She has straight forelegs with neat feet. Always standing with a pleasing balanced outline and she moved very efficiently around the ring. Best Veteran In Show.
2nd Oliver’s Olivesong Kiss Chase
A 7-year-old pointer bitch with a very clean outline. She has a good reach of neck, well sprung ribs and a short-coupled loin. To complete her out-line she has a well-muscled correct bend of stifle, with straight hocks and the neatest of feet.
Veteran (10 years +) (5 entries, 3 abs)
Only two 10+ year old dogs in this class and both were remarkably fit for their age.
1st Wall’s Meadowpoint Spirit of Fire
This male pointer was shown in good hard condition and moved well. He has a masculine head with good pigmentation. His body was well muscled, which enabled him to move efficiently.
2nd Saunders’ Moonstryder Eliza Taylor At Oxfordogs VW
A black cocker spaniel bitch, very well-made with a feminine well-balanced head and a good body. She is well sprung in rib, short coupled and well b***d. She was shown in very good coat but was not quite as settled today as she should have been.
Best In Show
BIS: Griffin’s Griffial Back to Black
At just a year old this, happy go lucky, black cocker spaniel bitch draws the eye on the move; reaching and driving extremely well with a well-constructed body. Fore and aft, she has equally good angulation. This youngster is well off for bone. Her front legs are straight, she has lovely neat feet and equally straight back pasterns and well-let down hocks. This youngster must have a very bright future.
Res.BIS: O’Neill’s Tenshilling Shboom JW
A young male pointer, again with exceptional movement carrying his tail level. He covered the ground with ease and showed extremely well. He has good dentition, a pleasing masculine head, good reach of neck, well laid shoulders and a good return of upper arm. Well-muscled spring of rib, a correct sloping top-line and a strong, short, dense and smooth coat with lovely shine. His rear angulation complimented his forehand construction.
Best Puppy In Show
BPIS: Dring’s You’re My Dream Smeline Svaja (Imp LTU)
A very striking black & white American Cocker Spaniel. To go over this youngster was very pleasing, as her confirmation is very balanced. Her head is correctly proportional with a correct scissor bite. She has a lovely gentle feminine expression. She has straight, well-b***d forelegs. Her shoulders are clean and she has an equally good return of upper arm and to complete her excellent balance, her stifles are well bent and well-muscled for a youngster. She has the most attractive movement with a come look at me manner and a happy look-at-me attitude. Really pleased to award her Best Puppy In Show.
Res.BPIS: Matthews’ Sonham Just Good Friends (AI)
There were some very good dogs at this show and this white and black pointer bitch was particularly very attractive with a clean well-muscled good reach of neck. Her forequarters and hind quarters angulation are equally correct and also well-muscled. She is very typical of the breed and her movement is very sound and pleasing to watch.
Thursday 3rd July 2025
Mrs Sandra Lane (Kulawand)
