03/02/2025
** CRITIQUE FROM JUDGE HELEN UPTON **
Ashbourne and District Canine Society
28th Dec 2024
Judge Miss Helen A Upton
I would like to thank the society for inviting me to judge at their Christmas Show, I had a very
welcoming and enjoyable day.
Thanks also to my wonderful stewards who kept me on track.
Finally, I would like to thank those exhibitors who entered under me today, I was honored
that you came out over the Christmas period to support the Society, myself, and the breeds.
GSP
Puppy (5:2)
1st - SIELSKI’s, ORCHIDSTAR TICK TOCK
I judged this young girl as a baby puppy and my comments have not changed, she is
feminine throughout, compact and balanced, with a show-girl attitude. She is pretty in head,
with a lovely expression, clean neck, and shoulders, straight in the foreleg, the correct
amount of depth and spring to rib for her age, good topline and tail set, standing on nice tight
feet, showed off her rear angles on the move, driving round a tiny and narrow ring. BP.
2nd - COOK&HAMMOND’S, SEASHAM SHOW ME THE WAY
Another I judged as a younger puppy, he has grown into a fine young gentleman. Masculine
throughout, I would prefer less length to foreface, he has the gentlest expressions. He is
slightly longer in the body than the winner, with good spring to rib and depth of chest, the
ring didn’t help this boy on the move today, he needed a bigger and wider ring, but he moved
ok.
3rd - SCHONEVILLE’s, BALVENIE FIDDLE DI**LE
Special Yearling (2:0)
1st - COOK&HAMMOND’S, SEASHAM SHOW ME THE WAY(RPT of Puppy).
2nd - WEST’s, CEILLOCH LUCK BE A LADY
I have done this Bitch well as a puppy, however, today lacking confidence. A pretty head
however spoilt today by a worried expression, she lacks the bone and substance of others in
the ring, however, she is balanced and has good depth to her chest, and she presents a
clean outline when she relaxes. She moved out well across the small ring.
Post Grad (2:0)
1st - PEEBLES, SEASHAM TOO MUCH HEAVEN JW
Compact and balanced, feminine throughout, pretty head with soft expression, presents with
ample bone and a good amount of muscle, standing on straight front, tight feet, short in body
with good depth and spring to ribs, nice amount of bend to stifle, moved well, but was
pushing ahead of her handler, which at times lost the free-flowing action.
2nd - SCHONEVILLE’s, BALVENIE EYE CANDY JW
Feminine with good bone and substance, not quite as balanced as 1 at this stage. Pretty in
the head, slightly longer and finer in muzzle than the winner. She has a clean neck and
shoulders, lovely depth of brisket, and good spring to rib, she has good front and rear
angulation, which she showed off on the move, she covered the small ring with ease and
enthusiasm.
Open (3:0)
What a lovely class to judge.
1st - SCHONEVILLE’s, SH CH BALVENIE DOUBLE DIAMOND JW
This male took my eye as soon as he walked in, he has presence, a 5-year-old male in his
prime. He had everything I was looking for in a GSP, he presents as strong and masculine.
He is presented in great condition, with plenty of bone and muscle. Handsome head of
correct proportions, he has a noble expression with dark eyes, clean neck leading into good
shoulder placement, short in body with nice topline, deep in the chest with plenty of spring to
rib. Straight in front, standing on tight arched feet, strong rear angulation with a good bend to
stifle and well let down hocks, he moved round the ring with reach and drive and as one with
the handler. I certainly can see why he has his SH CH status. BOB.
2nd - SIELSKI’s, ORCHIDSTAR MISSING LINK JW
Close up to 1, another one that has ring presence. Feminine throughout, with ample bone
and muscle, pretty head with gentle expression, clean neck, leading into well-laid shoulders,
good depth to chest with lovely spring to ribs. Front and rear angulation strong and used to
advantage on the move, she drove around the ring effortlessly. RBOB.
3rd - ANGUS’s, KEIGAME HEARTS DESIRE OF SPARKENHOE (AI) JW
Pointers
Puppy (3:0) What a lovely class of siblings, no denying they were from the same litter. All 7
months old. Splitting hairs between them and I am sure they will all swap places throughout
their show careers.
1st - STILGOE, STILGOE & FOX , TEISGOL ROSE CAMPION,
Feminine throughout, pipped her brother to first with her overall balance and her slightly
cleaner movement. She flows from head to tail, nothing over-exaggerated about her. Pretty
head with a dark eye and a soft expression. Clean neck leading into well-placed shoulders,
standing on straight forelegs and tight feet, enough bone and substance for her age, ample
spring of rib, solid topline with good tail runoff, good bend of stifle and well let down hocks,
she moved with grace and enthusiasm holing her topline as she covered the small ring with
ease. BP.
2nd - STILGOE & FOX, TIESGOL SWEET WILLIAM
Similar comments to 1 in regards to construction, I really was splitting hairs between these
two. Masculine head, I found he was slightly loser around the eye at this stage, deep in
brisket and well-sprung ribs for age. Moved well, but sister coped with the small ring easier.
3rd - SAUNDERS & NEWTON, TIESGOL CALENDULA
Special Yearling (4:1)
1st - O’NEILL’s, TENSHILLING SHBOOM
The breed standard asks for a dog with a series of graceful curves and this young gentleman
has just that. Handler needs to be careful to not overextend his back legs as he loses his
natural topline. A well-balanced and symmetrical male, full of masculinity, I wrote ‘Made me
smile’ in my notes, he has a well-defined head of masculinity, dark eyes with a cheeky
expression, clean neck and good shoulder placement, deep from withers to brisket and
well-sprung ribs, strong rear angulation with plenty of bend to the stifle, he coped well in the
small ring and moved freely and with enthusiasm.
2nd - HARRISON’s, MILLPOINT WATSON
Not as balanced as the winner, and did not cope well in the small ring. A substantial male
who needs time to get his head in the game gave both his handlers a hard time. Handsome
head of nice proportions, presents in good bone and with ample muscle, deep in chest and
well ribbed up, lacking drive and moved erratically. One that needs time to grow up.
3rd - ROBSON, BRADGATE DASHER
Post Grad (5:0)
1st - BROOKSMITH’s, MILLPOINT GOLDEN PIPPEN JW
I was splitting hairs over the first 2, I just preferred the substance of the winner. Feminine
head of good proportions, dark in the eye, clean and muscular neck, good shoulder
placement, lovely amount of forechest, well ribbed up leading into well-muscled loin, strong
front and rear angulation, which she put to use covering the ground with ease, she relaxed
enough to also bring her tail up on the move. RBOB.
2nd - GUY’s, CAROFEL IF I HAD WINGS JW
A slightly finer frame than the winner, however, many comments are similar, she has the
prettiest of heads with a lovely dark eye and soft expression, her head framed by lovely
length to ears, she presents as balanced and symmetrical, with a clean neck, strong topline,
well ribbed up with good depth. Moved ok, I have seen her move better in a bigger ring.
3rd - HARRISON’s, MILLPOINT WATSON
Reserve - STILGOE, GLENARIFF MOJITO OVER TEISGOL
VHC - ROBSON, CODNORHAWK DINKY STTA AT BRADGATE
Open (7:1)
1st - ADAMS, CAROFEL WINGS OF HOPE JW WW23 SWISS JCH
There is no denying this was a male, full of masculinity, balanced, and full of substance.
Handsome head with plenty of detail, dark in eye with a cheeky expression, he has a lovely
long and muscular neck, leading into well-placed shoulders, straight in front with good depth
and spring to ribs, strong topline and tail runoff, strong hindquarter with plenty bend to stifle.
He moved gracefully around the small ring with good reach and drive. BOB
2nd - OLIVER & STILGOE, SH CH TEISGOL LOVE IS IN THE AIR
More compact Male than the winner, this boy is handled to advantage, he is presented
beautifully and is as one with his handler. Masculine head, slightly broader in skull than i’d
prefer, dark eye with a lovely expression, well b***d and plenty of muscle coverage. Straight
in front standing on lovely arched feet. Good Depth and width to the chest, I would like
slightly more strength in his rear angulation, however on the move he moved off with plenty
of drive and covered the small ring effortlessly.
3rd - WEBB, TENSHILLING JIMMY MACK JW
Reserve - BROOKSMITH, NIGHTGOLD PIPKIN
VHC - MATTHEWS, SONHAM C’EST LA VIE
Welsh Springer Spaniels
Puppy (1:0)
1st - COOPER & MULLIN, GILSTONIA MAGGIE MAY
I judged this young girl as a baby puppy and she has grown into a lovely young lady. Pretty
in the head with dark eyes, beautiful ear set framing the head. Clean in Neck and shoulders,
strong in topline with good tail set, ample depth and width to chest for age, is slightly longer
in loin than I’d prefer, and needs to strengthen in her hindquarters, which will come with age.
Moved out well with plenty of drive and enthusiasm. BP.
Special Yearling (2:0)
1st - JOHNSTONE, GLENBROWS ERASMUS FOR GILPETA
Masculine throughout presents in good coat and condition. Handsome head of correct
proportions, strong neck, would prefer a slightly cleaner front, deep-chested with plenty of
lung room, well muscled and strong topline, powerful hindquarters with good bend of stifle,
moved well with plenty of drive from behind.
2nd - WORTH, SARABANDE SPIRIT IN THE SKY
Pretty-headed bitch, not quite balanced at this stage, and I would prefer more strength in the
hindquarters. Feminine throughout and presented in a beautiful coat, clean in the neck
leading into well-placed shoulders, good depth to chest with ample spring to rib for her age,
lacking in confidence and handler needs to slow down on the move.
Post Grad (2:0)
1st - WORTH, SARABANDE SPIRIT IN THE SKY (RPT FROM SY)
2nd - WORTH, SARABANDE WILD AT HEART (AI)
5-year-old bitch, compact in body and well balanced, not presented in the condition I am
used to seeing for this kennels. Pretty head with a lovely merry expression, well ribbed up
and good depth to chest, carrying a little too much weight, and was only moved in a walk, so
could not assess movement.
Open (2:0)
1st - STEVENSON, SH CH MYMMSBROOK MATADOR WITH BLYTHWAY JW
This dog gets better and better with age, he is presented in an immaculate coat and
condition, and is handled to advantage and as one with handler. Masculine throughout with
ring presence, handsome in head, with gentle expression, clean in neck, good shoulder
placement, straight in foreleg, standing on compact feet, short in the body, with good spring
and depth to chest, strong hindquarters, which he used to advantage on the move, covered
the ground with ease and presented as a Merry Welshie. BOB.
2nd - TEW, PAMICKS DREAM WITH ME
Another one who is getting better with age doesn’t quite have the ring presence or coat of
winner, but this does not take away from her quality. Pretty-headed with a cheeky
expression, she has a clean outline, and strong front and rear angulation. Moved well,
handler took on advice to move faster it shows as moved with much more drive and
enthusiasm than I have previously seen. RBOB
Bracco Italiano
Puppy (2:1)
1st - CRITCHLEY’S, BRACCIANO NOW OR NEVER
11month old bitch, Feminine, presenting as strong and well-balanced. Feminine in head with
a gentle expression, powerful neck leading into well-placed shoulders, she is well b***d and
straight in foreleg, ample depth and spring to ribs for her age, good body dimensions, strong
topline, powerful hind angulation, that was put to use on the move, she moved effortlessly
around the small ring, covering the ground with power and drive. BP
Special Yearling (2:0)
1st - PIPES & GROVES, BUSHWACKER DON JUAN JW
Well no denying this was a male, presents the correct body dimensions along with power
and strength. Well-b***d and muscled and carrying just the right amount of weight.
Handsome head, with gentle expression, would like slightly less exaggeration in his head
and neck, strong front and rear angulation, with good depth and width to chest. Moved well.
2nd - BEECHAM’S, INSPIRATIONS LORENZA PRIMAVERA AT RYDONMIST (IMP SWE)
Of different type to winner, slightly less mature in body and brain and longer in body than I
would prefer. Pretty bitch, with a lovely expression in the eyes, clean in the neck, strong
topline, well ribbed up for age, and with plenty of depth to chest. Moved well, just needs time
to mature.
Post Grad (2:1)
1st - BEECHAM’S, GUNSYN HOTROD AT RYDONMIST JW
A handsome dog who presents as strong and well balanced, masculine head of correct
proportions, lovely gentle expression, strong well-muscled neck leading into well laid back
shoulders, well off for bone and muscle, straight foreleg, well ribbed up with plenty of lung
room. Strong topline and nice tail set, moved around the ring effortlessly with plenty of drive
and ‘look at me attitude’ RBOB.
Open (7:2)
1st - PIPES & GROVES, BUSHWACKER DEMETRIO
Everything I am looking for in a Bracco presented in this male, he presents as strong,
well-balanced, just off square, and with good depth and width to chest. He is handled to
advantage and as one with his handler. Handsome in head, dark eyes with a soft
expression, strong powerful neck, leading into well-placed shoulders, standing on straight
forelegs and tight well-arched feet. Powerful rear angulation, with good bend of stifle and
well-let-down hocks, he moved effortlessly around the ring with plenty of drive and
enthusiasm. BOB.
2nd - BEECHAM’S, GRAFSKOE GNEZDO ARLO (IMP)
Another strong and powerful-looking male, another one who is handled to advantage and as
one with the handler. Slightly longer in the body than winner, but still balanced, noble head
with gentle expression, good bone and substance throughout, with plenty of spring to rib and
deep from withers to brisket. Not quite in the condition of 1, but he is a veteran. Lacked the
enthusiasm and drive on the move today, the size of the ring didn’t help.
3rd - BEECHAMS’S, TITANO DELLA CASA DI LOMBARDO AT RYDONMIST (IMP FRA)
Reserve - BEECHAM’S, ALLEGRO NORD BOHEMIA SHERAM AT RYDONMIST (IMP
CZE)
VHC: BEEHCAM’S, KEKS CANERO BASS (IMP)
