Judge’s Critique:

My grateful thanks to the committee for the most kind invitation and also to my super stewards Avis and Preston who kept the ring going so professionally all day.
What a joy it was to assess this retriever breed with the quality present on the day. Not one weak or poorly conditioned exhibit – yes nervousness was an issue with some youngsters but hopefully they will grow in confidence in the ring which after all is not the ideal place for some of them – so much preferring a lake or open field! Many super fit exhibits robust slightly elegant builds were abundant and coat curl quality impressive though tending rather soft in texture on several – I note it does call for “crisp” curls in the standard. Heads were slightly variable but of no undue concern rear movement still needs improving in my view but has come on a long way in my opinion. I thought my two best bitches really set the standard to aim for on the movement front it was so uplifting to see them in action and demonstrates the breed can do it!

MPD (2,0)
1 – SUTTON & WHITEHEAD & WHITEHEAD – Foxriever Immortal Spirit

Six months black good dentition pleasing balanced outline strong bone tight feet level top-line well sprung ribcage. A sounder mover at present than the brother below in my opinion curls developing nicely at this young age firm and well covered across the loin for a puppy.

2 – MILLICHAMP & MILLER – Foxriever Sea Shadow

Six months liver litter mate to above with a better balanced and more appealing head at present in my view more confident with good relaxed tail action strong bone close dense curling coat developing. Front knuckles need to settle not so positive in rear action as the winner on the day.

PD (3,0)
1 – CLACK & BATLLE-HUNTER – Krisbos Leonidas With Molokain (IKC)

Eight months liver pleasing wedge shaped head with lovely strong lengthy muzzle full nostrils super dentition head well balanced at this age plenty of body substance on display notable on a youngster deep at the loins. Elegant outline straight true solid front with breastbone prominent good bone tight feet sound on the move with plenty of forward reach and rear drive on display impressive dense tight coat curls for a puppy, BP congratulations.

2 – SUTTON & WHITEHEAD & WHITEHEAD – Foxriever Immortal Spirit

3 – MILLICHAMP & MILLER – Foxriever Sea Shadow

JD (2,0)
1 – STEPHENS – Brightmeadow Rumour Has It JW

Fifteen months very promising black lovely soft mellow expression on wedge shaped head eyes well set and coloured solid strong well boned front good depth of body well balanced outline. Firm top-line held well on the move broad short and strong across the loins powerful muscled hindquarters with deep second thighs developing. Excellent mass of tight curls form occiput to tail very sound and true on the move effortless profile action. I now read and note both sired by one of the best curlies the breed has ever seen in my opinion with their dam being the super sound liver bitch RCC winner in the entry today.

2 – EDWORTHY & EDWORTHY – Brightmeadow Man Of Steel

Fifteen months litter brother to above liver masculine balanced wedged shaped head correct stop powerful muzzle full nostrils eyes set wide. Strong straight bone running through pasterns good depth of brisket with super tight curls for a liver. Pleasing construction throughout with slight tuck up on display tending to pace on times on the day but two lovely young promising dogs.

PGD (4,1)
1 – HUCKLE – Foxriever Storm Cloud

Two years four months black his head balance and character is a great virtue delightful breed expression and intelligent character outstanding shoulder placement and strong clean neck well set with slight arch straight true front with good bone and firm feet. Balanced depth of brisket to length of leg slight tuck up exceptional hindquarter muscling with deep second thighs pleasing head and tail carriage though tail slightly low set I considered.

2 – DICK – Firecurl Excalibur

Eighteen months liver tail rather short in length slight bare coat patches in places on the day but all carried on a very well angulated exhibit with typical breed balance and overall outline most appealing wedge shaped masculine head and intelligent expression deep bodied and the best mover in the class sound and true front and rear with flowing effortless profile action. Super solid straight well boned front which I preferred to the winner with pleasing confident temperament on show. Sired by my VD winner I now note.

3 – EMERY – Foxriever Midsummer Magic At Thunderguard

LD (4,1)
1 – SUTTON & WHITEHEAD & WHITEHEAD – Foxriever Grey Ghost

Two years four months litter brother to PG winner liver with thick dense well formed curls super masculine head parallel planes strong long muzzle full nostrils strong underjaw correct stop attractive intelligent expression. Good bone and feet a sound true mover well knitted together tail well set and carried deep short and powerful across the loins nicely fully rounded muscled hindquarters with deep second thighs.

2 – STEPHENS – Ravenho Looks Like Trouble For Brightmeadow

Two years seven months black grand breed type I note again his sire presented in very fit muscled condition powerful and deep across the loins though I considered not quite as tight on the move as the winner on the day. Good depth of brisket well sprung ribcage well ribbed back exceptional quality of curls tight and thick well textured.

3 – TARELLI – Firecurl Some Like It Hot At Tarockwood (ai)

OD (5,0)
1 – SOLOMON & SOLOMON – Sh Ch Foxriever Mystic Marvel At Elkysar

Four years ten months strong upstanding black dog well up to size delightfully elegant breed outline standing well over the ground correct length of leg to depth of body super strong arched neck powerful and graceful build solid mature substance overall with truly outstanding hindquarter muscling on lengthy hindlegs with moderately turned stifles and deep second thighs. So balanced and attractive moving in profile action with powerful effortless strides though his rear movement on the day for me prevented him taking BOB over the bitch. Masculine wedge shaped head strong underjaw wide full prominent nostrils correct stop eyes well placed coloured shaped and set intelligent bright expression. Presented in super gleaming coat condition well textured a mass of dense close curls on his substantial frame strong and deep across the loins. He possesses an added touch of quality and breed essence to his presence in a very good class of dogs any judge would be delighted to assess. He took the CC in the company of several very worthy exhibits, congratulations.

2 – EDWORTHY – Maycourt Heartbreaker

Four years two months another grand curly brimming with breed character and type upstanding with plenty of leg length to body depth super steady aloof temperament excellent dentition strong teeth masculine strong wedge shaped head full wide nostrils strong underjaw powerfully arched neck well set to shoulders. Good depth of brisket reaching well back correct shape and spring of lengthy ribcage another exhibit with truly exceptional hindquarter muscle finish giving strength to his overall stature presenting as a lovely well rounded typical masculine outline. A mass of thick close lying body curls covering every area required such a credit to the breed most deserving of top honours and unlucky to meet the winner on the day, RCC congratulations.

3 – STUBBS – Brightmeadow Take Your Time At Densdale

VD (1,0)
1 – TARELLI – Hunters Pride Jurajska Gwiazda At Tarockwood (Imp Pol)

Seven years two months black very well angulated throughout balanced outline masculine presence pleasing for size with lovely breed character virtues. Excellent shaped lengthy ribbing and spring strong over the loins with balanced depth of body to length of length in most impressive condition for a veteran. Excels in strong wedge shaped head proportions with pleasing eye colour shape and set full nostrils slight stop strong underjaw intelligent soft expression. A sound mover coat dense with well formed curls though I considered rather soft to the touch on the day. Delighted to award him BV congratulations

SBD (1,0)
1 – EMERY – Foxriever Midsummer Magic At Thunderguard

Two and a half years a dog on the bigger side but balanced overall muzzle and skull pleasingly shaped and well developed though looking rather tense in the ring so needs to relax to give of his best. The best of strong bone on show tight thick padded feet ribcage well sprung reaching back presented in lovely solid body condition his movement could have been better on the day but he remained a worthy BSBD, congratulations.

MPB (3,0)
1 – WHITEHEAD & WHITEHEAD – Foxriever Sea Fyre

Six months black litter sister to MPD winner excellent overall angulation level top-line pleasing for breed type and outline good bone and feet. The best mover in the class on the day in my opinion, promising, BPB congratulations. This litter sired by my dog CC winner I now note.

2 – WHITEHEAD & WHITEHEAD – Foxriever Rogue’s Quest

Litter sister to winner the same positive construction carrying a bit more depth of body at present than the first placed but not so confident and forward in the ring at present attractive curls in place for a raw youngster. Elegant outline pleasing reach of neck into well placed shoulders like all in this class needs time to settle and grow in awareness of what is expected from them as they mature.

3 – SOLOMON & SOLOMON – Foxriever Sacred Spirit at Elkysar

PB (2,0)
1 – WHITEHEAD & WHITEHEAD – Foxriever Sea Fyre

2 – WHITEHEAD & WHITEHEAD – Foxriever Rogue’s Quest

JB (3,0)
1 – HARRISON – Brightmeadow Never Can Say

Fifteen months black litter sister JD winner elegant well built outline with strong neck of pleasing length well sprung ribcage reaching back firm loin good bone and tight feet. Well constructed overall typical top-line solid straight front possessing a muzzle I preferred to that of the second placed though not initially her determined action but eventually sorted herself out and moved better.

2 – STEPHENS – Brightmeadow Come On Eileen

Fifteen months black litter sister to the winner super straight front good depth of brisket with slight tuck up impressive coat condition and tight curls well angulated throughout a powerful driving mover.

3 – WHITEHEAD & WHITEHEAD – Foxriever Sea Fyre

PGB (7,2)
1 – MOSKOWITZ – Ravenho Mochara Cadeaux

Two years seven months litter sister to second in LD class typical black bitch splendid dense tight coat covering body correctly elegant outline very good overall construction and balance. Pleasingly presented and sound on the move.

2 – CLAYTON – Firecurl Ace

Eighteen months liver more scope to her outline than the winner typical in all respects well sprung ribcage muzzle strong and lengthy full large nostrils with firm underjaw. Solid straight true front with balanced depth of brisket to leg length.

3 – EVANS – Rowancurl Beachcomber

LB (7,0)
1 – STEPHENS – Brightmeadow Who’s That Girl

Rising five and a half years liver super sound mover with determined forward reach and decisive rear drive positive front and rear moving straight and true. Very good angulation and balance overall level top-line firm front with prominent breast-bone in all these regards one of the best in the entry. Typical wedge shaped head with attractive eye colour shape and set her movement won the placing and the eventual award, RCC congratulations.

2 – CLAYTON – Firecurl Georgie Porgie

Rising six years liver most typical pleasing for size and substance excellent body finish powerful across the loins well sprung ribcage reaching well back. Powerful muscled hindquarters with deep second thighs wedge shaped head balanced in proportion skull to muzzle slight stop and skull to muzzle on parallel lines with nostrils full and wide. Sound mover but for me not in the best of coat condition on the day.

3 – PERKINS – Maycourt Miss Sweetness At Tengore

OB (5,1)
1 – CLACK & EDDERY – Molokain Hocus Pocus

Two years seven months black strongly built along elegant lines beautifully balanced outline self confident and steady nature on display. Typical unexaggerated mature feminine head with intelligent expression dark brown eyes obliquely set on wedge shaped head neat small ears placed correctly. Excellent shoulder angulation plenty of fore-chest on show deep brisket straight strong forelegs with tight thickly padded feet pasterns strong. Solid body substance robust ribbing deep loins powerful and broad level top-line croup well set with tail off the back thick and of good length nicely covered. Hindquarters well set and hocks well let down a breed feminine model frame standing and moving. Bright crisp coat curls thoroughly dense and closely matted from occiput to tail in sparkling condition very well handled and presented the soundest mover in the class with effortless forward reach and drive in profile action. I had no hesitation in awarding her what I understand is the third CC giving her the title & BOB a super breed representative with much more success to follow I am sure, congratulations.

2 – STEPHENS – Sh Ch Ravenho Up Town Girl For Brightmeadow JW

Rising two years eight months this quality black pushed the winner hard but for me not quite as well knitted together on the move on the day and I slightly preferred the head finish on the first bitch otherwise very similar in many respects though the breeding appears dissimilar in the catalogue. Stunning coat condition and curl appearance to match the winners powerful across the loins in outstanding muscled condition throughout. Very good overall construction level firm top-line excellent solid front straight and true the best of bone and round tight well arched toes on thickly padded neat feet. Thick tail of pleasing length effortless parallel movement typical head and tail carriage a truly lovely breed specimen.

3 – PERKINS – Tengore Rubytuesday

SBB (2,0)
1 – MCKENZIE – Ravenho Toulouse Latresco At Beddgelert

Black litter sister to second in OB upstanding of nice size and breed balance excellent full front and fore-chest powerful strong build correct medium length of neck well set to shoulders deep brisket well sprung ribcage and firm across the loins. Typical well proportioned head on correct planes attractive intelligent expression eyes darkly coloured pleasing set and shaped. Balanced and sound on the move, BSB congratulations.

2 – HARRIS – Brightmeadow Wish Come True At Dreamcurl

Fifteen months black litter sister to winner JD class not quite the maturity of the first placed and I considered slight narrow in front on the move in comparison on the day excellent length of leg and depth of body well constructed overall with lovely steady temperament on show. Strongly boned with tight close feet excelling in quality and density of curls she should mature into a very pleasingly typical adult bitch.

Judge – Richard Morris (Lascoed)