My thanks to the Labrador club of Wales for excellent hospitality and a very well run show, 2 excellent stewards and most of all lovely dogs with great exhibitors—thank you all for your support. My Co-judge and I agreed on all final honours, the bitch going Best in Show and the dog Reserve—both excellent .
Disappointingly Blacks again were a minority and only a few featured in the final placings – I expect this will have its cycle and change as things do, however I think we all miss the good blacks giving the yellows a run . Coats were in very good order throughout the day –cold winter has its advantages , although quite a few were bodily pretty soft, lacking muscle and that well being from hard condition- Heads were quite differing in level of stop- a lot of heads with just a flute thro’ giving a totally different head shape and expression. All interesting and will no doubt be addressed by some, but of little consequence in the wider scheme of things as the breed is I think in great shape although our movement over all is poor, I feel we should probably be concerned about that more than other issues that seem to dominate the conversations these days.
Minor Puppy Bitch 1st Thompson’s Meadowline Midway Lady, 6½ months black and just right in all directions. Nice size to grow on. Sweetest head and expression, super harsh topcoat and good undercoat, well filled quarter and good topline, front assembly good with good neck, feet could be a little tighter, sound mover and with my co-judge best minor puppy.
2nd Braddons Trendlewood Mellow My Mind, another good size with plenty of bone and substance, presents a very good outline having good rear angulation and topline, in excellent coat and a sound mover. 3rd Barkers Carpenny Yeva Gyda Deerbrook.
Puppy Bitch 1st Wiles Richbourne Silver Surprise. Substantial pale yellow who commands attention. Good headshape with excellent stop and length of muzzle. Coat dense and thick, fitting the body like a good jacket –no feather or fluff, Boned thro’ to good feet, well ribbed and quarters well muscled and hocks low and firm. Moves with good drive, just pulled to one side on occasions but a sound well constructed Labrador –Best Puppy In Show.
2nd Davies Holmajor April Love, lovely headed yellow who has the real soft Labrador expression, excels in coat, topline and tailset, well put together with good depth, sound on the move hocks higher set than 1 above.
3rd Carpenny Yeva Gyda Deerbrook
Junior Bitch 1st Mills Lembas Mamma Mia, classical youngster who has it all. Lovely head and the definition that spells Labrador. Clean neck to shoulder, good brisket and rib, another correct double coat that ‘fits’ like a jacket. Well ribbed and that caused me to think she is carrying enough weight today. Excellent quarters to firm low hock from which she drives off well, Reserve CC with Pleasure.
2nd Charlton’s Foxrush Scarlet O’Hara, Another good substantial youngster, in excellent coat and condition, head balanced with good stop and kind brown eye, muzzle with good length giving the Labrador correct shape. Good thro’ neck shoulder, deep thro’ body, quarter well angulated and good 2nd thigh, moves well both ways
3rd Coles Stajantor Mayfly.
Yearling Bitch. A class of very differing type. 1St Shirton’s Woolmans Proper Starlight. Classical in outline, lovely head shape, well defined and totally feminine soft expression, excels in coat having good undercoat, neck clean and shoulder well placed, topline firm which she kept on the move, tail set straight off, giving a very balanced profile .Well angulated rear with good quarter and hock, she looked good in the challenge and deserved consideration.
2nd Staffords Kimvalley Stargazer at Farnfield, This is a very strong and lovely youngster, balanced in outline with excellent head, good brown eye well shaped and good depth to muzzle, clean neck to shoulder, deep thro brisket and well ribbed, bone strong and quarter well filled and powerful, hocks firm and straight, actually this hall is no place for this one to move as I am sure she can really power off the hock but no chance here to see her real reach and drive, she has the style and substance we do not see so often now and possibly that sets her apart, I preferred the femininity of 1 but she is full of breed type ,totally eye catching and sound.
3rd Hodge Naiken Exclusive Dream JW
Maiden Bitch 1st Richbourne Silver Surprise. 2nd Porters Lindall Herself, very pretty yellow with soft sweet expression, not quite the stop developed yet, excels in bone and good feet, good depth and rib, flows from neck to topline, big quarter and good hock, clothed in a super depth of jacket that has that good top coat harshness. Moves soundly.
3rd Meadowline Midsommer Martha
Novice Bitch 1st Woodall’s Thirlmere Barley Gold. Nice headed youngster with clean cheek and neck, giving a good outline overall in profile, well off for bone and substance quarter well filled, tail set correct but she favours it on the move a little , sound mover when settled. 2nd Braddons Trendlewood Crackling Rosie, a real labrador here with a lovely outline, softest of expressive heads, eye just a little light but absolutely does not detract at all. She flows from head to tail with lovely topline, deep body and qood quarter, very balanced in profile, lost on movement . 3rd Floyds Trenow Luccetta
Undergraduate Bitch 1st Beers Tarkabby Embrace, good typey black, head just lovely, neck clean and well set bone strong and feet good, really good close fitting coat that is coming to its best. Body well ribbed and rear angulation good to firm hock, sound and active moving. 2nd Floyd Trenow Luccetta, Such a pretty headed pale yellow, soft kind brown eye, excellent bone and feet, deep thro brisket and well ribbed strong rear quarter and in excellent coat just drops off over croup a little, moves soundly .3rd Crellins Lyndquest Fancy Free
Special Graduate Bitch, a class of very good handlers.
1st Rawlinsons Wilsbury Cremekracker at Halshimor. Lovely yellow in excellent coat and condition, good size and well boned but no coarseness. Profile excellent with good neck to topline firm and tailset straight off, depth of body and quarter completing the balance, sound mover, handled with good knowledge and kindness. 2nd Mills Trendlewood Sing. Paler yellow with sweet head and expression, coat neat and tight, brisket rib and quarter all good, feet tight and again well handled 3rd Evans Carpenny Carley of Brycheiniog
Graduate Bitch, 1st Lesley’s Steeleigh Too Hot To Handle, Black in excellent coat and condition, lovely head with excellent definition thro stop and clean cheek, deep brisket, bone strong and feet tight, well filled angulated quarters to good firm hock, topline firm and straight which she keeps on the move, 2nd Sidaway's Martinside Bric a brac, lovely yellow in full coat, topcoat correct with good undercoat, true Labrador melting expression from soft brown eyes, stop well defined and cheeks clean. Deep thro body with excellent ribcage, shorter coupled than 1 above, and I took a while to decide between these two as both are excellent Labradors. I gave way to one on topline but this bitch is all quality and type.
3rd Shirtons Woolmans Constance.
Post Graduate Bitch. 1st Lavelles Crosscroyde Lady Katinka, very pretty headed yellow , lovely eye shape and colour, strong clean neck and good brisket, boned through to neat feet, well ribbed, quarters well filled and hocks straight and firm. In excellent coat with that good harsh feel to topcoat and a well clothed tail, moves soundly. 2nd Willsbury Cremekracker 3rd Carpeninis Carpenny Maid For Me
Limit Bitch Super class of quality bitches. 1st Charltons Sretlaw Spring Connection With Foxrush, Pale yellow in full bloom, coat thick and dense with that good tight top coat making the ‘fitted’ look clean, no excess fluff or feather. Very nicely shaped head with kind brown eye giving the real Labrador expression. Good neck to well laid shoulder, good front excellent bone and good feet, topline firm and straight to good tail well set. Rear angulation good with quarters well filled to low strong hock, moves with real purpose and drive keeping the stride flowing. C.C. with pleasure and Best In Show with my co- judge. 2nd Walters Sretlaw Thunderball . Darker yellow, another very good double coat, super bone and substance, good in profile with excellent topline and tail set. Deep through brisket and good angulation and second thigh, hocks low set and straight to ground, sound mover but not the drive of one above, 3rd Aireys Ronsard Me Celebrait completes a lovely trio of quality bitches.
Open Bitch 1st Merrill’s Ir Sh Ch, Brockburrow Dreamaker For Gostwyk. Lovely deep yellow, super outline with lovely clean reachey neck, good head shape and soft brown eye giving sweet feminine expression. Well off for bone and feet neat and tight, Coat with plenty undercoat, well ribbed, topline firm and a sound easy mover. 2nd O’Donoghues Ir Sh Ch and GB Sh Ch Phillipstown Sally Ann. Pale yellow in excellent coat and condition, very attractive in outline, stronger in build than 1 but still feminine. Good head shape and clean neck to shoulder, topline firm and straight to tail set, quarters and second thigh well filled and muscled to strong hocks, moves well, just preferred the head and eye of 1 above. 3rd Anthony and Jayes Sh Ch Sandylands Wait a While. A lovely trio of Champion bitches
Special Beginners Bitch. 1st Tarkabbey Embrace. 2nd Meadowline Midsomer Martha, 3rd Lynquest Libertine of Carriegame
Special Working Bitch 1st Wilmshurst’s Mandamay Jenny Penny. Quality Black with lovely head, good depth and well off for bone and substance, Topline firm which she held on the move , sound mover. 2nd Hodge’s Naikin Russian Rhythm, another typey black, head shape well defined and excellent neck and shoulder, deep bodied with good rib , quarter well angulated and firm hock, sound mover 3rd White’s Lembas Moonlight Sonata
Veteran Bitch 1st Sidaways Martinside Chantilly Lace. Lovely yellow in superb coat and condition, the most melting head and expression that spells Labrador. Excellent bone and substance, good deep body and strong well angulated quarter, sound on the move both ways. 2nd Tarkabbey Alspice, Choc with super substance. Classy outline with clean neck and good shoulder, topline firm and good tail set brisket deep well ribbed, head and eye just lovely, out of coat but still looking gorgeous, sound mover. 3 Hatfields Oakglen Penny Lane another very pretty bitch.
Marion Hopkinson Judge
My thanks to the committee, exhibitors and all the support I received.
Age 6 to 11 years
1st – Lucy Rawlinson
A smart young lady, who was at one with her dog, she talked to her dog putting it at its ease and did a very nice triangle and straight line, Lucy just needs to watch where the judge is standing, she so obviously enjoys showing and I have high hopes for her in the future. Very nearly receiving best handler, well done.
2nd – Emily Evans
This young lady knew how to present her dog to the judge and the correct presentation of teeth, please remember to talk to your dog and not let it get behind when doing the required pattern work, I am sure that she will do very well in the future. Good Luck
Age 12 to 16 years
1st – Katie Stewart
A Smart young lady who knew how to use all the available ring space when doing the ‘T’ pattern and straight line and was very attentive both to her dog and the judge. Very well done. – Best Junior Handler
2nd – Andrew Southwell
What a close thing this was, this polite and smart young man knew how to present his dog to the judge and his pattern work was very good, he just lost out getting first on final run round. A lovely handler – All the best for the future.
3rd – Rebecca Mills
Reserve – Sarah Evans