Thank you so much for my lovely entry, it was especially pleasing to go over so many promising young hounds. I found temperaments absolutely fantastic, only one or two shy very young raw babies, the rest totally chilled out and relaxed, I had lots of kisses and licks in my right ear and lots of waving tails and kind expressions as I approached individual hounds. Fabulous, this speaks volumes for our breed and is as it should be.
Overall the standard of musculature and condition was very high especially in my class winners, but some of the young hounds were rather on the thin side. Yes, I know they grow in fits and starts but some really were very thin indeed.
I found several level/close to undershot mouths with small uneven teeth. Some hounds needed attention to their feet with over-long toenails and splaying feet, but a lot of good tight well knuckled feet were in evidence also.
My CC and reserve CC winners, also my bitch line up , I was delighted with and I cannot tell you how close the veteran bitch who won the reserve CC came to taking the ticket. The CC winner just having the edge, with her display of such powerful extending reachy movement. Flowing, driving and powering around the ring, indicating the strength and endurance of a true working hound with the ability to hunt and she of course had youth on her side, she has not yet reached her prime.
I have to mention that although most of the hounds coped with floor- some tried to pick up the black dots and white crosses and several skipped and jumped across the yellow and white lines. It felt to me that a good atmosphere prevailed at the ringside and I thoroughly enjoyed my day. Thank you all for your sportsmanship.
Puppy Dog - 13 (3abs, 1wd)
1st: Harvey's Cualainn Celtic
Pilgrimage. Tall rangy 11 month old with great scope and potential.
Currently great make and shape but lacking body weight and substance, although
curvacious, houndy and lovely type. Balanced outline with great length of leg
and size. Covers the ground both standing and moving, which in profile he does
so effortlessly. Superb, masculine, long, level head with kind expression and
well held ears. Huge black nose. Long neck, developing strength and crest.
Great length of leg with straigh, strong bone. Arched toes, tight feet. Well
laid shoulder giving width of forechest but needs to deepen and drop in body.
Good top line with rise over loin. Sweep and bend to stifle with excellent
length of 2nd thigh. Harsh coat. Long well-covered tail, which he carried
correctly. Long, even, ground covering stride in profile; going away at present
unco-ordinated behind and rather hocky.
2nd: Thomas & Riley's Ballyphelan
Malachi. Strong well made typy red brindle dog. Excellent head with
kind expression and dark pigment. Length of leg and strong bone. Breadth of
fore chest but currently lacks depth of body. Good topline but flat underline.
Nicely angulated hindquarters with length and bend to stifle. Moved easily and
effortlessly with free action.
3rd: Wild's Fincorrie Kadoo
Junior Dog - 7 (1abs)
1st: Pordham's Solstrand Wolf Blass.
Impressive, balanced, tall, strongly made young hound. Lots of light under his
legs. Masculine head with kind expression, good dark pigment, possibly a little
short in foreface. Beautiful ear carriage, tiny rose ear. Long, strong, crested
neck into a good lay of shoulder, producing excellent forequarters with
prominant breastbone. Strong, heavy, long, straight bone, but into slightly
flat feet. Good topline and sweep to underline but slightly falls off a little
over croup and stands with his hindquarters tucked under himself. Has length
and sweep to stifle but needs a touch more width through. Moved easily,
actively, effortlessly and soundly but with his head down. It's lovely to see a
hound shown on a loose lead.
2nd: Exeter's Cleaseac Cnl Clive Curtis.
Smaller, more compact hound, not quite the presence of 1, but well made and
strong to go over, if a little plain in type. Kind head and expression, but
could do with more length to foreface. Rather flat in ear. Well laid shoulder
and solid forequarters, just needs to drop in body a little. Strong straight
bone into tight feet. Good top line and underline, possibly a little short
coupled. Substance and width throughout. A little straight behind, and weak in
hocks. Although he caused some problems for his handler, she got him going
rather well with practice! Good thick, well-covered tail, excellent coat and
well conditioned.
3rd Simpson's Amarach Melaughlin
Yearling Dog - 4 (1abs)
1st: McConnell's Hydebeck Menelaus.
Another impressive, tall, upstanding, very handsome male, only young but
already has presence and stands over a lot of ground, good height to length
proportions. Masculine head with kind expression, possibly a little short in
foreface Crested strong neck into excellent lay of shoulder producing width of
forechest, needs to drop a little. Long, straight, dense bone, slightly flat in
feet and turns them in slightly coming. Good topline with rise over loin and
lovely sweep to underline, curves, width and substance throughout, nice flowing
lines. Sweep, length and bend of stifle and width through croup. Correctly set
on and carried thick, well-covered long tail. Moved with purpose and drive
striding out well in profile if a little close behind.
2nd: Brace's Cleaseac Colonel Mustard of
Braehead. Super masculine head with the darkest of eye and kindest
expression. Big broad black nose. Beautiful ear set; he is a handsome dog with
a lovely personality and super temperament, unfortunately today he showed it in
his tail which was curled up over his back. Strong crested neck into fair
shoulder but short upper arm, and a little tied in at the elbow. Straight
strong bone into excellent tight well knuckled feet. Longer cast than 1 and a
little flat in underline. Great width across croup. Slightly straight behind;
excellent crisp harsh coat, the best of the day. In rock hard muscular
condition. His movement was easy active and productive, slightly turns in left
fore foot.
3rd: Sheppard's Clhannworthy Clhannsman
Novice Dog 7 (1 A)
1st: Wilkinson's Culkeeran Kell
Hunacres. Very raw, rangy, dark grey youngster, looking long cast at
present. Lovely head with dark eye and excellent pigmentation giving a soft
expression. Lots of furnishings. Ears well held. Long neck into reasonable
shoulder; needs more width and depth to forechest. Length of bone but could be
denser, a little fine. Presently a little flat in topline but good sweep to
underline. Has good length of stifle but could do with more angulation and
width through. Has a good harsh coat and is nicely conditioned. Well covered
long tail. Side gait moved freely and easily in unison with his handler.
2nd: Bradford's Baronglen The Jester.
Enormous, huge, heavily boned hound. Lovely temperament and, despite his huge
size, was thoroughly enjoying himself and bouncing around the ring. Strong
masculine head, if a little broad in skull. Light eye. Lots of furnishings.
Good length to leg and strongly boned. Little flat in the feet. Very tall and
stands over a lot of ground. Great substance, depth and width throughout.
Exceptional width across croup. Maybe a bit too heavy through. Length of stifle
but requires more angulation, also rather high on hock. Due to his exuberance,
difficult to assess his movement but fairly light and easy on his feet for such
a huge dog. Flying his tail.
3rd: Camburn's Hannikins Helios
Graduate Dog - 2 (1abs)
1st: England's Uella Samson. Nice type of hound, presenting with strength of bone and substance but rather cloddy and carrying a little too much weight. Strong masculine head with kind expression, plenty of furnishings and good rose ear. Bite level and lower jaw small uneven teeth. Good strong, dense bone with length of leg, and good topline with good width across croup. Good lay of shoulder and slope to upper arm but rather heavy through. Prominant forechest. Nicely drawn up belly. Good arch to loin, length and breadth to stifle but requires more angulation. Long, thick, well covered tail. Harsh coat. Working hard to please his handler but rather stilted in movement.
Post Graduate Dog - 10 (6abs)
1st: Timmin's Cornovi Cassian: CC AND B.I.S. Absolutely stunning, powerful,
upstanding hound of commanding appearance who feels fantastic under your hands;
a lot of dog to go over. Real male stallion hound in rock hard condition and in
his prime. As he came into the ring he caught my eye immediately; he has great
presence and is very impressive. Lovely standing, epitomises the breed standard
for his type, overall balance, make and shape. Tall, but with fabulous body and
substance throughout and great width and strength over his croup. He feels so
strong and solid. Lovely masculine head with long level planes, softest dark
eye, well carried ears. Long, strong, crested neck into lay of shoulder
resulting in great depth and breadth of chest. Super forequarters. Long,
strong, straight bone but a little flat in fore feet. Excellent flowing top
line with arch over loin and sweep to underline. Strong, powerful, angulated
quarters; a little high on hock. Powered around the ring in profile, giving a
great impression of strength and endurance and for such a large hound his
movement was surprisingly easy and active, but at times moving away could be a
little close behind. I loved this dog.
2nd: Sumner's Ballyphelan Boatswain.
Another strong, upstanding, tall, impressive male. Very houndy and lovely shape
and type. Long head with good planes, a little light in eye, and level bite.
Long, crested neck into good shoulder but a little short in upper arm; has
width to chest but not quite enough depth. Long, straight bone. Good topline
with rise over loin, sweep to underline but "petticoat" detracts.
Width and strength to croup. Great length and sweep to stifle and long second
thigh into low hock, but moved a little close behind, although movement in
profile reachy and effortless. Tendency to fly his tail, which he'd injured.
3rd: Dawson's Shalico Man in the Moon.
Limit Dog - 8 (2abs)
This was a hard class to judge, all 5 placed hounds moved very well.
1st: Amoo's Sade Porryk. Balanced, compact
hound, maybe a little short coupled or carrying a little too much weight. Well
furnished masculine head with kind expression, maybe slightly short in muzzle,
with good ear carriage .Big black nostrils. Strong neck into well laid
shoulder, lovely width and depth to forechest and prominance of breast bone.
Strong bone into tight feet but not carrying weight squarely on right forefoot,
which he tends to flick on the move. Excellent width to croup and well
angulated, strong, powerful quarters; well constructed, strong dog throughout.
Carries his head beautifully on the move. Moved easily and effortlessly but I
would have liked more drive off his hocks. Good harsh coat and beautifully
presented and handled.
2nd: Surrell and Coleman's Bokra Sequel.
This hound is not a tall one and does not catch your eye immediately but when
you put your hands on him he is very well made, and put together so well. An
inch or two taller would make a considerable difference. In very hard muscular
condition and excels in coat. Kind head and expression, little flat in the ear.
Lovely neck into good shoulder, not quite the forechest that this kennel
normally produces. Good bone, tight well knuckled feet. Strong top line, good
underline. Width across croup and solid under your hands. Well ribbed up.
Slightly straight in stifle and moved slightly close behind, but in profile
moved easily and actively, working very much in unison with his handler to
extend around the ring.
3rd: Neal's Cahmega Mahloo
Open Dog - 7 (2abs)
1st: Taylorson's Ch. Shanimarle American
Pie: RES. CC. A rather difficult
decision between two entirely different types of hound. 1st is of lovely type,
dark grey, smaller and houndier, more compact and not so flashy as 2nd, but
very well put together. He could be taller but is very well balanced. He has a
masculine head with a lovely dark eye and a kind, far away, knowing expression.
Strong neck into well laid shoulder giving good breadth and depth of forechest.
Good top line with rise over the loin and width across croup, but is a little
flat in underline. Well sprung ribs. Bend, sweep and length to stifle but could
have a little more length to second thigh. In excellent hard, muscular
condition and this showed in his movement which was very free and easy, and he
was absolutely sound and true coming and going. He looked as though he could
have hunted all day, presenting with fitness and endurance. This breeder
presented a team of 3 hounds under me today, all of the same stamp and type, in
hard muscular condition and moving soundly and freely.
2nd Valerani's Conchobar Evil Enchanter.
Standing, what an imposing hound this is; tall and upstanding with a wonderful
outline, great size, commanding appearance and huge ring presence. He is
curvaceous throughout, an excellent shape, and stands over a lot of ground.
Very much a stallion hound. However, although he has a strong masculine head,
he is very heavy in skull, has a round light eye and also is rather flat in
ear. Good shoulder placement with width and depth of forechest. Excels in bone
mass and length of leg but rather flat feet. Currently he is not carrying
enough body weight and substance for his size and could be better conditioned.
His movement in profile is steady and easy but due to his high hocks on moving
away he is very weak behind, throwing his right hock as he moves and is unable
to drive as he should. Very long, thick, well covered tail with a white plume.
3rd Pask's Cefni Eurig of Baronglen
Veteran Dog - 4 (2abs)
1st: Millar's Ladestar's Quadraux
Torrance. 8½ year old, clear red boy with a harsh gleaming coat
and in such good condition. Strong masculine head with dark pigmentation. Big
black flared nostrils. Curvaceous and shapely but quite long cast, dipping a
little in top line, good sweep to underline. Well laid shoulder with depth,
width and prominance of forechest. Good bone. Gone a little flat in feet.
Nicely covered thick tail. Well bent, angulated stifle and still moved fairly
well for this age.
2nd: Richardson's Kilrein Evvenn. At nearly
9 years old this is the first time this boy has ever been shown (he's come out
to keep the youngster company). He participated very well indeed and looked
quite the part and seemed to enjoy his day out; he has a sweet and gentle
temperament. Lovely head with dark eye and kind expression, nice overall shape
and balance. Good bone. Lacks depth of body and a little flat in underline. In
good condition, moved easily for his owner as if he'd done it all before.
Puppy Bitch - 20 (7abs)
Initially thought 3rd placed puppy was my winner. Exceptional type, make and shape and moved like a train, but at 10 months she's not up to size and I wondered will she grow on, looked a 6 month baby.
1st: Harvey's Cualainn Persia: B.P.I.S. Beat her litter brother for B.P due to the
fact that although she is of the same make shape and type she was much more
collected on the move and carrying more substance, although could still do with
putting on some weight. Again tall and rangy, but balanced with lots of scope
and potential. Lovely flowing lines and curves throughout, very houndy. Long
level head with beautiful far away expression. Good rose ear. Crested long neck
into well laid shoulder and length and slope to upper arm - giving breadth but
not yet enough depth to forechest. Long in leg - good proportion of height to
length ratio and strong straight bone. Kept her top line on the move and
sweeping underline enhancing the overall picture. Bent stifle with great length
of second thigh, nice low hock. Reachy and driving stride in profile. Coming a
little erratic, possibly due to large bursa left leg.
2nd: Trethowan's Braewisan Blathnaid.
Really beautiful just 7 months old baby, so sweet and very pretty, glorious red
brindle colour. Lovely coat in great condition. She really caught my eye, ultra
feminine and very curvaceous. Super head, darkest of eye and soft expression,
lots of furnishings. Good neck into well laid shoulder. Lovely straight bone
and tight feet. Flowing top line with arch over loin, shapely underline. Good
width over croup but slightly drops off. Length and bend to stifle. Super long,
thick, well covered tail, which she carried very well. Very powerful young lady
and initially gave her handler lots of problems, but once she got into her
stride moved actively and enthusiastically round the ring.
3rd Pinkney's Hydebeck Violet Elizabeth.
Junior Bitch - 16 (5abs)
1st: Pain's Ravensbeech Brittanica. Went
like a train around the ring, movement totally effortless, reaching and driving
and absolutely sound both coming and going, a pleasure to watch her easy and
active gait. Dark grey, balanced bitch but could do with greater size and has
lost her curves, looking a little square at this moment in time. Beautiful, old
fashioned head, possibly a little plain for some, but I think gorgeous - dark
eye a lovely expression, very knowing. Crested neck into good shoulder. Strong,
long bone with excellent cat feet. Looking a little flat in top line and
underline today and needs to drop more in body. Good bend and width to stifle.
Nice low hock which she used well on the move, giving drive to that excellent
movement. Harsh pin wire coat and in excellent muscular condition.
2nd: Wile's Dunewalker Heulwen. This bitch
is of beautiful old fashioned classic type, which placed her higher in the
class, because initially her movement was very erratic coming and going. Once
she settled with her handler she strode out well in profile, and I could
forgive her for being so naughty. Excellent make and shape with flowing lines
and curves throughout, very well balanced and a picture to look at. Beautiful
furnished feminine head with a lovely expression. Crested neck into well laid
shoulder with excellent forequarters. Depth and substance throughout and very
well constructed with good proportions of height to length. Excellent bend,
length and sweep to stifle.
3rd: Morris' Amarach Macushla
Yearling Bitch - 8 (1abs 1wd)
1st: Peiler's Knocknarea Neilliagh.
Preferred 2 for type, but 1st moved absolutely beautifully. Exceptional reach
and drive, power-housed around the ring, really driving off her hocks,
exhibiting totally sound flowing movement coming and going, handler just had to
go with her and keep up! She could go all day. Also, keeps her shape on the
move. Initially appears rather plain to look at but beautifully balanced,
everything is in the right place and she is extremely well put together from
nose to tail. Attractive head but a little short in foreface. Lovely ear
carriage. Crested neck with good shoulder and forechest, plenty of bone and
length to leg. Tight feet. Super topline with arch to loin and sweep of
underline. Width to croup. Well angulated quarters with good length and sweep.
Finished with a crisp, harsh coat. In hard muscular condition.
2nd: Goodall's Driftcot Mercedes.
Beautiful, typical, graceful yet feminine bitch with clean lines, stylish and
has ring presence. Fantastic head with dark eye and lovely expression, lots of
furnishings to complete the picture. Muscular arched neck into well laid
shoulder with width, breadth and depth to forechest. Well boned. Longer cast
than 1 but well ribbed back and curves from head to hock, particularly strong
in hindquarters, bend and sweep to stifle with length in second thigh and low
in hock. Long easy side gait but a little erratic coming and going.
3rd: Wile's Dunewalker Heulwen
Novice Bitch - 9 (2abs 1wd)
1st: Goodall's Drifcot Mercedes
2nd: Taylorson's Shanimarle Bridget.
Balanced, typy, dark grey bitch with lots of breed qualities. Has a curvy
outline and is well proportioned. Kind head with dark eye and gentle expression
Good forehand construction, lovely bone into well knuckled feet. Rising top
line and good sweep to underline. Width across croup. Has length and bend of
stifle but needs more width through. Crisp coat. Excellent muscle tone and
condition which showed in her sound movement. Lovely rapport with young
handler.
3rd: Trethowan Braewisan Blathnaid
Graduate Bitch - 9 (4abs 1wd)
1st: Burt -Hughe's Windspray Firewitch.
Very typy classic bitch, presenting very much as a huntress. She is workman
like and gives a great impression of power, strength and endurance, but retains
femininity. Scores in head which is gorgeous, her dark eye and wonderful
expression are so pleasing, and carries her head high on the move. Strong
crested neck into muscular sloping shoulder giving superb width and depth to
chest. Long straight clean bone. White sock left forefoot - does not detract
from her true front movement coming. Curvacious top line and underline but
straightish in stifle and lacks width through, also rather high on hock which
makes her a little weak behind, although movement in profile is flowing and
effortless. Harsh pin wire coat and in hard well muscled condition.
2nd: Wilkinson's Hunacres Karoline. Very
pretty feminine grey bitch, longer cast than one and could be slightly longer
in leg, but good make and shape and flowing lines throughout. Graceful. Another
lovely well furnished head with dark eye and kind melting expression. Has a
reasonable neck into fair shoulder with depth of forechest but could have more
width. Good bone and substance. Rise to top line which she kept on the move.
She has well turned stifle, but is rather hocky which makes her weak behind and
erratic going away. Has an easy side gait.
3rd: Gilbert's Anstyarna Bizzi Bee
Post Graduate Bitch - 16 (6abs)
1st: Sumner's Ballyphelan Blackthorn.
Very, very typy, striking, tall, rangy, powerful yet graceful red brindle with
clean sweeping curvaceous flowing lines from head to hock. Has presence and
quality. Long level planes to her beautiful head which she carries proudly on
the move - very alert looking, a real hunting hound. Long strong muscular
arched neck into superb forehand construction with long straight bone into
tight well knuckled feet. Lovely sweep to underline but "petticoat"
detracts. Excellent top line which she keeps on the move. Superb sweep to
stifle with excellent length to second thigh. Effortless and powerful reachy
movement in profile side gait but moves a little close behind.
2nd: Burt-Hughes' Windspray Firespirit.
Another bitch exuding type and quality with grace and feminity but also power
and substance. She also has presence. She has a lovely curvy outline and
classic beauty and is so well constructed. Super old fashioned head with far
away expression. Rose ear. Crested neck into excellent front assembly with
sloping shoulders and good return of upper arm. Clean straight long forelegs,
well bodied and good spring of rib. Width across croup. Length and sweep to
stifle but could do with more width through. Reachy front extension but not
completely sound on the left hind leg, but her excellent breed qualities and
type gave her second in this class. Harsh pin wire coat and in good condition.
3rd: Redfern's Rainster Tolly
Limit Bitch - 15 (9abs)
1st: Taylorson's Shanimarle Artemis.
Dark grey, beautifully balanced, well proportioned and constructed bitch of
good make and shape. Another beautiful head with the darkest of almond shaped
eye giving a very soft expression. Strong neck into well-laid shoulder with
length of upper arm, giving depth and breadth of forechest. Strong clean bone
into tight feet with well arched toes. Curvaceous body line with rise to top
line and sweep to underline. Width across croup. Stifle well bent but could
have more width through. Very true mover, absolutely sound coming and going and
effortless free action in profile. Harsh well conditioned coat excellent
musculature.
2nd: Amoo's Sade Jynnx. Another balanced
bitch, more compact than 1, possibly a little short coupled or carrying a
little too much weight which made her heavy through the loin. Pretty head with
nice expression but a little short in foreface. Well held ears. Head carriage
good on the move. Strong neck into well-laid shoulder, possibly a little short
in upper arm and although good depth and prominence to forechest, maybe a
little too wide in front. Strong bone and straight forelegs, tight cat feet.
Well held top line and good underline. Strength and width across croup.
Possibly a little straight in stifle. Good low hock. Very sound and true
movement but could drive more from her hocks. In lovely condition, very well
presented and handled.
3rd: Timmins' Cornovi Comfort
Open Bitch - 4 (3abs)
1st: Crane's Ch. Seplecur Letitia: CC, R.B.I.S. AND B.O.S. Truly beautiful bitch of stunning quality, type and elegance. Lovely make and shape and curves throughout. A real picture standing but absolutely excels on the move. Took time to settle today, but once she got into her stride, power housed around the ring with fantastic front reach and extension, also really drove off her hocks raking up the ground. Totally sound coming and going, a joy to watch on the move. She has a pretty head and expression, although slightly light in eye, and ears could be better, which she carries proudly on the move. Long strong crested neck into good lay of shoulder giving breadth of chest and prominance of breast bone. Strong, long, straight bone. Possibly a little flat in feet - highlighted by white left forefoot. Excellent lines and curves to body but could carry more substance. At times standing has a tendency to drop off over the croup. Beautiful sweep, angulation and length to quarters with well let down hocks which provide such drive on the move. A very classy bitch.
Veteran Bitch - 5 (2abs)
1st: Peiler's Ir. Ch. Knocknarea
Orlando: RES CC AND BEST
VETERAN. Oozing type and quality, stunningly beautiful classic
bitch, I so nearly gave her the CC. Of totally flowing lines and curves and a
picture of powerful grace and elegance. She is so well constructed and put
together. The most wonderful white head, she even has white eyelashes, with
gorgeous dark eye and deep far-away expression full of gentleness. Super
crested neck into excellent laid back shoulder with length and slope to upper
arm giving prominant forechest. Lovely bone. Feet a little flat. Excellent top
line with rise over loin and has retained her underline. Angulated hindquarters
with super bend and sweep to stifle and lowest hock. At 9 ½ years old
still moved with verve and enthusiasm, striding out in profile as easily and
actively as some a 1/3 her age, and coming and going totally sound and true.
Still in hard muscular condition. An absolutely fantastic ambassador for our
breed.
2nd: Redfern's Clonmagara Kara of Madach.
Another 9 year old in absolutely fabulous condition, still well muscled and a
gleaming clear red coat. She has a lovely head with the darkest of eye and
excellent pigmentation. Strong neck into good lay of shoulder giving breadth
and depth to forechest. Fairly long cast and has lost her underline a little.
Lovely bend and sweep to stifle and low hock. Moved with extension, drive and
enthusiasm, looks the hunter that she is. A credit to her owner.
3rd: Windsor's Ladestar Seaslait from Quadreaux
Brace - 4 (3abs)
1st: Sumner's: BEST BRACE Absolutely two peas in a pod, gleaming black, shapely, quality young bitches. Of very houndy make and shape and great bone and substance, although only puppies. Both well constructed with angulated quarters front and rear. Super condition and well muscled. Movement was very erratic but handler managed very competently to steer them around the ring with efficiency. A very well matched pair.
Junior Members Stakes -11 (3abs)
1st: Pain's Ravensbeech Brittanica
2nd: Pordham's Solstrand Wolf Bass
3rd: Wild's Fincorrie Kadoo
Open Members stakes - 4 (2abs)
1st: Bradford's Baronglen The Jester
2nd: Charlier's Folklore Jenni. Pretty head
and expression with good dark eye and pigmentation but a little short in
muzzle. Fair neck into reasonable shoulder, little fine on bone. At present
looks flat in top line and underline. Length to stifle but a little straight
behind. Good harsh coat and in good condition. Movement was reasonable but
difficult to assess as she was skipping across the lines on the floor.
Chris MacLeod, Judge