Curly Comms
The Game Fair, Ragley Hall, Warwickshire, 25 – 27 July 2025
Curlies have been represented over the weekend in the Sporting Dog Pavillion at The Game Fair, and the fantastic news is that the Curly Coated Retriever Club Stand, created by Jo Clayton, won The Best Breed Stand!

The team representing the Curlies over the weekend was Jo & Brett Clayton with Hebe, Clover & Sorrel; Nigel Spraggins with Nornie & Hoolit; Rachel Arnold & James Dobson with Kopis; Nick Eden with Creme; Sue Margerison & Steve Davies with River; & Jo McKenzie & Charles with Tuppence & Tresco.
They were joined in the parades by Beverley Snudden with Olive; & Mark Rudd with Bailey.
Beverley Snudden & Olive (Roughyeds Regal Return) were also part of The Working Minority Retriever Club, ran by Judy Hempstead. Olive was the only Curly Coated Retriever, and took part in the Minority Breed Demos on Friday & Saturday, at which all the Minority Breeds were represented.
On Sunday the Curly Coated Retrievers also took part in the Minority Retriever Team Challenge in the Hertford Arena. The event was organised again this year by Judy Hempstead of the Working Minority Retriever Club and included Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Curly Coated Retrievers, Irish Water Spaniels & Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers. The Judge was Jill Gardner, owner of Foxcote Golden Retrievers & the final placings were:
1st Irish Water Spaniels
2nd Chesapeake Bay Retrievers
3rd Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers
4th Curly Coated Retrievers
The Curly Coated Retriever Team this year was made up of:
Sue Margerison & River (Ch Infallibles Black Velvet At Kandrelli)
Bea Barber & Edgar (Tonispada Vuori Vincent By Blanshard)
Rachel Arnold & Kopis (Roughyeds Regal George At Treecave)
Reserve – Jo Clayton & Clover (Firecurl Georgie Porgie)

Bea Barber & Edgar, Sue Margerison & River, and Rachel Arnold & Kopis
Well done everyone for a great weekend!
CCRC A3 Assessment, 31 August 2025
Calling all judges who are taking the grandfathering route for judging.
The CCRC are holding an A3 assessment in conjunction with City of Birmingham Championship Show on Sunday 31 August 2025 after the CCR judging, at a cost of £20.
This will be the last opportunity to take the A3 assessment before grandfathering ends on 31st December 2025. The show is also another unique opportunity to see Curlies in action prior to the assessment.
Please contact Leslie Bain Breed Education Co-Ordinator.

Leeds Championship Show, 27 July 2025
28 Dogs making 33 Entries, travelled to Harewood House, Nr Leeds for judge Jim Richardson, and his main winners were:
Best of Breed: STEPHENS, Mr & Mrs J & M B Sh Ch Ravenho Up Town Girl For Brightmeadow JW
Dog CC: HODSON, Mrs Helen Rowancurl Gentle Gaelor
Reserve Dog CC: STEPHENS, Mr & Mrs J & M B Brightmeadow Rumour Has It JW
Bitch CC: STEPHENS, Mr & Mrs J & M B Sh Ch Ravenho Up Town Girl For Brightmeadow JW
Reserve Bitch CC: CLACK, Mr & Mrs Stephen & Elaine & EDDERY, Mr Edward Sh Ch Molokain Hocus Pocus
Best Puppy: KEAR, Mr Adam Foxriever Infinite Spirit (ai)
Best Veteran: HAWLEY-CLARKE, Ms Rowan A Karnawalowy Drink Z Basisfory TAF
Best Special Beginner: KEAR, Mr Adam Foxriever Infinite Spirit (ai)
Also to Note at Leeds
Higham Press Veteran Stakes
Judge: Mr A Allen
Class 2666 AVG VD/B (22 Entries) Abs: 10
1st: 5700 STEPHENS, Mr & Mrs J & M B Sh Ch Brightmeadow Never Say Die JW Sh.CM
Hampshire Gundog Society, 26 July 2025
Judge: Mr S. Luxmoore (Hushwing/Zima)
Puppy (2,1)
1 Sutton, Whitehead & Whitehead, Mrs E, Mrs DJ & Mr AM, Foxriever Fire Fly
Special Yearling (4,1)
1 Whitehead, Mr A M & Mrs D J, Foxriever Sea Fyre, BOB
2 Sutton, Whitehead & Whitehead, Mrs E, Mrs DJ & Mr AM, Foxriever Immortal Spirit, RBOB
3 Sutton, Whitehead & Whitehead, Mrs E, Mrs DJ & Mr AM, Foxriever Fire Fly, BP
Post Graduate (no entries)
Open (1,1)
Wiveliscombe & District Canine Society, 26 July 2025
Judge: Leanne Challands (Annilann)
Graduate (2,0)
1 Edworthy, Mrs M & Mr M, Brightmeadow Man Of Steel, RBOB
2 Courtier, Ms D Maycourt Cover Shot
Open (3,1)
1 Perkins, Mr BJ & Mrs SM, Maycourt Miss Sweetness At Tengore, BOB
2 Edworthy, Mrs M, Maycourt Heartbreaker
Wealdstone & Northolt Canine Society, 20 July 2025
Judge: Mandy Morton (Andronja)
Puppy (1,0)
1 Sutton, Whitehead & Whitehead, Mrs E, Mrs DJ & Mr AM, Foxriever Fire Fly, RBOB & BP
Special Yearling (1,0)
1 Sutton, Whitehead & Whitehead, Mrs E, Mrs DJ & Mr AM, Foxriever Immortal Spirit, BOB
Post Graduate (no entries)
Open (2,2)
Tunbridge Wells & District Canine Society, 19 July 2025
Judge: Doug Telford (Courtmaster)
Puppy (no entries)
Junior (no entries)
Post Graduate (no entries)
Open (1/0)
1 Boorman & Brown, Miss G & Mr A, Kahawei Star Catcher, BOB
A.V. Vulnerable Native Breed Stakes
Judge: Doug Telford (Courtmaster)
AV Open
1 Boorman & Brown, Miss G & Mr A, Kahawei Star Catcher
Oakengates & District Canine Society, 13 July 2025
Judge: Graham Taberer (Sicorn)
Junior (2,0)
1 Sutton, Whitehead & Whitehead, Mrs E, Mrs DJ & Mr AM, Foxriever Immortal Spirit, BOB
2 Sutton, Whitehead & Whitehead, Mrs E, Mrs DJ & Mr AM, Foxriever Fire Fly, BP
Post Graduate (no entries)
Open (3,3)
Boston & District Canine Society General Championship Show, 6 July 2025
Judge: Debbie Wallwork (Braefell)
MPD(4,1) Three litter brothers in this class, who could change places on another day:
1. Sutton & Whitehead & Whitehead’s Foxriever Fire Fly (ai). 8 month old liver dog. Liked him for his balanced outline. Wedge shaped head with correct proportions. Strong neck into good front assembly and forechest developing nicely, straight forelegs and good bone. He tends to dip in his topline but should strengthen with age. Strong rear quarters with moderate angulation. Moved well around the ring.
2. Pavitt & Pavitt & Whitehead & Whitehead’s Foxriever Fire Cracker (ai). 8 month old black dog. Not as together as 1 at this time. Pleasing in outline with a better topline than 1. Wedged shaped head and a kind expression. Moderate throughout. Moved ok.
3. Kear & Morrey’s Foxriever Infinite Spirit (ai). On the initial look round I thought this boy would be my winner but unfortunately he was favouring a back leg today.
PD(5,1)
1. Dooley‘s Violeta Mariposa Horace Du Moulin Du Paulu (Imp Fra). 10 month old black dog. Really liked his balanced outline, and correct proportions with a good length of leg. Lovely wedged shaped head with correct proportions, dark eye, slight stop and width to skull. Deep in chest and has a correct front and matching rear angulation, level topline. He gave his handler a bit of a hard time on the move and was a bit reluctant, but was much better in the challenge and moved out on a good stride. BPIB.
2. Pavitt & Pavitt & Whitehead & Whitehead’s Foxriever Fire Cracker (ai). See 2 in MPD.
3. Baines & Hawley-Clarke’s Niebylejaki Z Basisfory (Imp Pol)
JD(3)
1. Sutton & Whitehead & Whitehead’s Foxriever Immortal Spirit. 12 month old black dog. Liked him for his type and his balance in profile. Correct wedge shaped head and lovely expression, slight stop and dark eye. He has a good layback of shoulder and correct return of upper arm. Deep in chest and ribs springing nicely, level topline and good width to thighs. Moved very well and together around the ring.
2. Clack & Clack & Battle-Hunter & Eddery’s Krisbos Leonidas with Molokain (IKC). 13 month old liver dog. Another lovely dog, just preferred the balance of 1 today. Correct in head, strong with slight arch to correct length of neck, excellent front assembly with good length to upper arm allowing his forelegs to be set under his body . Level topline and correct set on of tail. Would just prefer slightly more rear angulation to balance the picture. Moved ok.
3. Kear & Morrey’s Foxriever Infinite Spirit (ai)
PGD(0)
LD(0)
OD(4,1) Three different types and sizes in this class:
1. Stubbs’s Brightmeadow Take Your Time at Densdale. 4 year old mature black dog. He appeals for his balanced moderate profile, good length of leg and correct body proportions. Beautiful wedged shaped head and melting expression, and nothing overdone. Strong and medium length of neck that flows into a correct layback of shoulder and corresponding length of upper arm, straight forelegs and tight feet. Level topline, well sprung ribs and correct tail set. This boy was so well muscled and had a good width to his first and second thigh. Excellent coat with crisp curls. Moved on a lovely powerful stride around the ring. BD.
2. Clack’s Bazzy Inti Anka at Molokain (Imp Cze). 3 year old liver dog. A different type to 1 but he has a lovely flowing outline and is balanced in his angulation. Would just prefer slightly more length to leg. Wedged shape head and good eye colour. Straight forelegs and deep in chest, level topline and correct bend of stifle. Moved well around the ring. RBD.
3. Solomon’s Sh Ch Foxriever Mystic Marvel at Elkysar.
VD(1)
1. Baines & Hawley-Clarke’s Karnawalowy Drink Z Basisfory (Imp Pol). 7 ½ year old liver dog. He has a balanced outline but a touch long in body. Pleasing head with a good eye colour. Strong neck but would prefer a better layback of shoulder, well ribbed with a deep chest. Level topline and correct tailset. Lovely moderate rear angulation with width to his thighs. Moved ok. BVIB.
SBD(1,1)
GCDSD(1,1)
MBP(1)
1. Whitehead’s Foxriever Phoenix Rising. 8 month old liver bitch. She was difficult to assess as she was quite nervous and didn’t initially want to be gone over. I persevered with her gently and was able to get my hands on her. She has a nice feminine head that is correct in shape and proportions. Nice front assembly with a good forechest. Strong neck into correct layback of shoulder, she is a bit dippy in her topline at present but this should strengthen. Lovely curls to her coat. Movement was difficult to assess but with a different handler in the next class she moved better.
PB(1)
1. Whitehead’s Foxriever Phoenix Rising. See 1 in MPB.
JB(3)
1. Whitehead’s Foxriever Sea Fyre. 12 month old black bitch. She stood out in this class for her flowing balanced outline. Correct head and lovely expression. Good neck into good layback of shoulder, and corresponding upper arm enabled her to stand with her front legs underneath her. Level topline that flows to correct tailset. Her coat is lacking curls at the moment. She had a lovely side gait around the ring, not as together coming and going.
2. Solomon’s Foxriever Sacred Spirit at Elkysar. 12 month old black bitch and litter sister to 1. She also lacked a curly coat at this time, and was a bit frilly underneath today. That said she has the best of heads, beautiful wedge shape, melting expression with dark eye. She has a pleasing outline and similar attributes as her sister. Just preferred the movement on 1 today.
3. Whitehead’s Foxriever Phoenix Rising
PGB(3,1)
1. Clack & Eddery & Clack’s Epsilon Adhara at Molokain JW. 20 month liver bitch. She is clean in her outline with balanced angulation fore and aft. Beautiful head with correct proportions and slight stop. Straight forelegs and deep chest, well sprung ribs and a level topline. Lovely coat with crisp curls. She moved very well all ways and had lovely side extension. RBB.
2. Whitehead’s Foxriever Sea Fyre. See 1 in JB.
LB(2,2)
OB(2,1)
1. Clack & Eddery & Clack’s Sh Ch Molokain Hocus Pocus. 2 year old black bitch. Loved her outline and proportions and her moderation throughout. She is slightly longer in body than tall to the withers, and has a good leg length. Best of heads being wedge shaped with correct proportions and a kind dark eye. She has a good layback of shoulder and corresponding upper arm, and rear angulation to match with a moderate turn of stifle. Level topline and deep well sprung ribs and a short loin. All topped off with a beautiful coat and crisp curls. She excelled on the move all ways and especially in her effortless side gait. BB and BOB.
VB(0)
SPB(0)
GCDSB(0)
Yeovil & District Canine Society, 4 May 2025
Judge: Gary Denver (Vandengan)
PG (3)
1. Maycourt Cover Shot Very nice breed typical bitch with a lovely soft head on correct parallel planes. Good clean neck onto super front. Well sprung in ribbing with a level topline and very nice underline. Correct rear angulation balanced with front. Good bone and substance. Shown in great coat and condition. Moved lovely in profile. BOB
2. Brightmeadow Man of Steel A very big substancial male but with balance. Correct masculine head, good reach of neck and a well built front. Very breed typical in type. Balanced in angulation. Shown in good coat and condition. Moved well
O (3,1)
1. Maycourt Miss Sweetness at Tengore Nice balanced bitch with a correct head of good planes and a soft feminine expression. Good clean neck of correct length. Very nice front with good angulation. Good spring of rib, level topline and balanced rear angulation giving a very nice overall outline. Correct coat. Steady on the move. RBOB.
2. Maycourt Heartbreaker A nice substancial male with a very nice head. Correct neck leading onto a well built front. Good spring of rib and level topline. Unfortunetly a little round in croup spoiling his overall outline. Shown in good coat and condition. Steady mover.