Flatcoated Retriever Club of Scotland
Championship Show 15 April 2023
Judge: Graham Lambert
It was an honour to receive an invitation to judge this breed club championship show. Having driven all the way up to Scotland I fully realise the financial implication of making entries to distant shows. I have long admired the dedication of Scottish exhibitors who regularly make trips down south to attend many of the shows at Malvern and along the M4.
Unfortunately the event was somewhat overshadowed by the restaurant being cancelled, judge and stewards reception was in the ring and come lunchtime was to see us queueing with exhibitors for a bacon buttie.
I must thank my excellent, experienced stewards, two ladies from that declining number of people who willing give up their day to do such an essential job at shows whatever breed.
MPD 2
1st Clark’s HURSTCLOUCH NIGHT OWL Nearly 9mths with a lovely outline, well balanced, good bone and feet. Straight steady mover BPD
2nd Egginton’s PAJANBECK THINK ON ME Another nearly 9mths of slightly heavier type. Beautiful head, eye and expression. Not the accuracy on the move as the winner.
PD no entries
JD 4
1st Buckley’s BLACKTOFT BRINDISI by BUCKLEYHILL Beautifully balanced 13mth old spot on for size and best mover of the class.
2nd Campbell & Brown’s RONEVORG FIREFLY FANTASY Just 12mths slightly taller than 1st but a well made youngster with plenty of wavy coat, movement was the deciding factor
3rd Wild’s BITCON ALLIANCE with BLUEWATERS Another just over the year, at that in between stage and does not have the balance and togetherness of the other two.
YD 2
1st Warrington’s WOODAVENS WATER VALET Only just out of Junior. A really well made youngster, classical head, dark almond shape eye. Excellent bone and feet. Full of Flatcoat enthusiasm. A strong powerful mover one I really liked and shall follow his progress
2nd McConnell’s FELDKIRK FAHRENHEIST at TORRWEAVING Of bigger build than the winner, but nonetheless a very good example of the breed, balanced but without the precision on the move of the winner.
MD 3
1st Campbell & Brown’s RONEVORG FIREFLY FANTASY
2nd Egginton’s PAJANBECK THINK OF ME
3rd Wild’s BITCON ALLIANCE with BLUEWATERS
ND 6/2
1st Campbell & Brown’s RONEVORG FIREFLY FANTASY
2nd Egginton’s PAJANBECK THINK OF ME
3rd Hessing’s HOEDUN DADDYS EYES at MONTECHOR
GD 2/1
1st Ross’ ISLSTROM ALL BLACK A good looking dog a little on the tall side, a powerful mover, rather proud of his tail which spoilt his outline.
PGD 7/1 Not much to choose between these three.
1st Macpherson’s RACHANMILL COLUMBO Well balanced dog all angles correct just managed to win on being slightly more powerful on the move.
2nd Youens’ RIVERGLIDE SECRET REPRIEVE Lovely looking dog very good bone and wonderful tight feet. With first class presentation as always
3rd Grant’s WESTONCRUIVE BLACK TORNADO Very similar size and condition, rather too interested in his bait to get true impression of his eye and expression
LD 8/2
1st Buckley’s STEELRIVER HIT THE BEACH with BUCKLEYHILL Liked this dog for his style and balance, well made and in good condition
2nd Campbell & Brown’s RONEVORG ANGEL WIV ATTITUDE Well balanced dog of correct proportions, moved well on good bone and feet.
3rd Romeo-Dieste & Smith’s HOPEVALLEY MORNING CIRCUS JW I liked this dog but very proud of his tail which really spoilt his outline as he moved powerfully round the ring.
OD 5 Unfortunately a very good-looking dog withdrew as unsound.
1st Hessing’s RONEVORG I BELIEVE IN SANTA at MONTECHOR An honest to goodness traditional Flatcoat of the old school. Perhaps not the length of foreface of today’s fashion but an all attentive very fit dog capable of a days’ work ResCC
2nd Youens’ RIVERGLIDE BLACK FRANKEL, Another well made dog just half a size bigger wonderful bone and feet.
3rd May’s LUSSAC XCAPE ARTIST Slightly larger again, loved his head and expression, in very good condition but not the accuracy on the move as the 1st & 2nd
VD 4
1st Joyce’s STRANFAER GET OVER IT JW A really good-looking dog, one of the best movers in the dogs lovely head and expression. Deep in body giving a super outline as he powered round the ring CC & BVIS & Best Opp Sex in Show
2nd Chipperfield & Higginbotham’s WISTASTON THE BLACK DIAMOND at HOWLINGALE Another out of the top draw and a close decision. Super head, eye and expression all angles correct moved straight and true.
3rd McConnell’s FELDKIRK FEARGHAL at TORRWEAVING ShCM Another lovely dog slightly longer but completed a trio of super dogs.
Sp Liver 1
Just the one entry. Varty-Lindsay & Varty’s LEVLIANN WAIT FOR RAINBOWS Plenty big enough but balanced all through.
ChD 1
Bellamy’s ShCh WOODFINCH MASQUE RADE Another lone entry. A worthy champion correct in build and all proportions and balanced viewed from any angle. A close decision for top spot between Open, Veteran and Champion, sorry he missed out.
There was a much greater depth of quality in the bitches and I shall watch with interest the progress of many of the winners
MPB 3/1
1st Orme’s HURSTCLOUGH JOY OF THE MOOR at ELMSTOCK Super lively little bitch at her first show. Beautifully moulded head with naughty eye and expression settled to move true BPIS
2nd Varty-Lindsay’s FREE THE FIZZ Another lively youngster with all the essentials, movement difficult to assess
PB 1
1st Knight & Jacobs’ GEMSWIN GOODY TWO SHOES Liver very similar at the same stages as the minor puppies I’m sure will develop into a fine Flatcoat but the MP winner was steadier on the move.
JB 4
1st Joyce’s STRANFAER ONE FELL SWOOP This is really a super little bitch rather unlucky to be just out of puppy. Beautifully balanced, of correct size and conformation exceptional bone and feet with ever wagging tail carried level. She went on to win both Maiden and Novice Well Done!
2nd Prior’s BLACKTOFT AVELINO Slightly taller bitch but still of acceptable size, good make and shape.
3rd Campbell’s RONEVORG MADAME BUTTERFLY Another only just out of puppy but a well put together youngster but could not match the movement of first and second.
YB 11/4 Three lovely bitches topped this class.
1st Warrington’s WOODAVENS FROZEN FLAME Top class bitch A1 for size and balance, lovely head, short coupled strong level topline and like the junior winner a straight level tail carriage.
2nd Chambers’ HOTOTO PRETTY BALLERINA JW Another good youngster with everything correct.
3rd Warrington’s WOODAVENS WEIGELA WIND Completed a trio of very good bitches and litter sister of the winner all same comment apply but she could do with a bit more weight.
MB 10/6
1st Joyce’s STRANFAER ONE FELL SWOOP
2nd Wilson & Kennedy’s CIARDUBHAN INCA ROSE Well balanced bitch of correct size and conformation, very fit and consequently moved well.
3rd Prior’s BLACKTOFT AVELINO
NB 7/3
1st Joyce’s STRANFAER ONE FELL SWOOP
2nd Clark’s KAZVAL TURN BACK TIME Bitch with sweet head and expression, moved OK with level topline and tail carriage.
3rd Mackessack-Leitch’s FINHAMSPRIDE KIA
GB 7/1
1st Knight & Jacobs’ GUNOAK SOLAR FLARE by GEMSWIN Top class youngster. Correct for size, construction and balance. In very good condition, one of the future stars I’m sure
2nd Rees’ BRAEMIST NEW MOON for ESKWINDS. Another good one, full of Flatcoat character rather difficult to assess, but a powerful mover
3rd Williamson’s HOEDUN JOY RIDE to SANDTI. Slightly larger but still within the standard. Well presented. Moved true with strong level topline.
PGB 4
1st Rees’ RAVENCRAG JUMP OVER THE MOON to ESKWINDS Exactly the type that fulfils the standard, very fit and active and such a powerful mover.
2nd Thorpe’s MONTREATHMNT HOTLIPS Slightly taller, decent bone and feet, eyes a bit light.
3rd Chambers’ HOTOTO’S POLLY TOODLE, Slightly taller again, but still balanced, not the positive movement of the winners.
LB 7 Best class of the day.
1st Warrington’s BOCHILBARLEY HEAVEN SENT to WOODAVENS. Lovely bitch viewed from any angle, wonderful bone, good tight feet, firm level topline. Her tail never stopped wagging. CC & BIS
2nd Campbell’s RONEVORG WHISPERING ANGEL SGWC Another top class bitch just a little finer in bone than the winner but again very good feet and very fit and therefore a powerful mover.
3rd Stevenson’s BLACKTOFT CARESS of STEELRIVER JW Third and a close decision of an excellent trio of super bitches not putting her all in to moving.
OB 8/1
1st Ross’ ISLSTROM AILA A beautiful bitch well made and balanced all through such a good mover she virtually sailed round the ring. Hair splitting decision for top spot but didn’t quite give such a good performance in the challenge ResCC & Res BIS
2nd Campbell’s RONEVORG I BELIEVE I CAN FLY Another spot on for size very fit and ran the winner very close.
3rd Grant’s WESTONCRUIVE BLACK AURORA Half a size larger with correct construction all through.
VB 5/2
1st Egginton & Davis’ GO WITH THE FLOW DYNAMIC FAITHFUL (Imp Ned) Superb bitch nine years old that week put many a youngster to shame with her precise and powerful movement
2nd Holmes’ WICCANSSAGE VIRTUE at RYDANAH Smart active bitch I thought would be the winner but lost her topline on the move.
3rd Stevenson’s STEELRIVER SUNKISSED JW Very nice bitch could not the match the steady movement of the other two.
Sp Liver 3/1
1st Knight& Jacobs’ GEMSWIN GOODY TWO SHOES Smart Liver, 1st in Puppy.
2nd Varty-Linsay & Varty’s LEVLIANN WAIT FOR RAINBOWS Like her brother top of the size scale, balanced but rather lethargic on the move.
ChB 3/1
1st Knight & Jacobs’ Ch GEMSWIN DRESSED FOR SUCCESS, SGWC A very impressive full champion everything about her was quality.
2nd Huyton’s ShCh HIGHTYNE RAMBLIN ROSE Unlucky to meet the winner in such good form could not match the winners accurate and stylish movement.