Sunday 17th November 2024 Southern English Setter Society Suntop Memorial Awards   It was an honour to be invited to judge the memorial award classes and to have the chance to assess so many beautifully presented dogs. Winter venues are always challenging; the rings were an excellent size but I have seen several of the dogs move better on earlier occasions than they did on the day. With some nice quality across the entry, movement was often a deciding factor. I was pleased with my winners and found things to like in every dog. Thank you to the committee, the exhibitors and my stewards for a lovely day.   SY (9, 1abs) 1. Stewart & Quenby's Tattersett Stolen Silver. Blue belton male of 23 months, with a clean outline and no hint of exaggeration. Well balanced head, lean with oval skull and kind expression. Muscular neck, slightly arched at crest. His front is well constructed, elbows well let down and close to body, with enough bone and well arched toes. Short level back, with sufficient spring of rib. Well balanced, with muscular hindquarters and good width of thigh. Needs some time to develop the body and coat which some of his classmates already possess. I preferred his tail set and his precision on the move today. True fore and aft with correct head carriage, using his tail well. One I shall watch with interest. 2. Sykes' Sharnyx Springtime At Daraquist. Quality orange bitch, of 19 months, who pushed hard for the top spot. Beautifully balanced head with oval skull, well defined stop and moderately deep, fairly square muzzle. Oval eyes with good pigment, giving the softest expression. She has good width between her shoulder blades, correct rounded bone and tidy feet. Good spring of rib and deep in back rib, holding a strong topline. Well constructed and balanced, showing good reach and drive on the move. A very promising young lady, in good coat. 3. Taylor's Wansleydale Honey Bee. Tri bitch of nearly 15 months, very smartly presented and well handled. Lean head with low ears and well defined occiput, set on a clean neck. Straight forelegs with good bone and lovely feet. Good spring of rib and well ribbed up. Long from hip to hock, with good bend of stifle. Correctly set tail, used well on the move. Not the maturity of the top two places, but with lots of potential. O (12, 3abs) 1. Wilson's Ravensett Giovanni. Elegant, 6 year old orange belton dog, in beautiful coat and muscular condition. Well balanced head with oval skull and low set ears. I preferred his dark, oval eyes and gentle expression. Muscular neck, slightly arched at crest, with clean throat. Straight forelegs, good bone and tidy feet. Well sprung ribs, with a short, level back and correctly set tail. His front and rear angulation is well balanced, with good bend of stifle. Once he got into stride, he moved with good reach and drive. I judged him as a yearling and my previous critique stated that he needed to tighten up in front when coming towards. He has developed along all the right lines and his front movement won him the class today, in excellent company. 2. Cook's Pernickety Quiddity. 2 year old, dark orange male, in lovely coat and my preference for overall size. He is a rangier type to the 1st, with good bone and very mature for his age. Masculine head, with low set ears and well defined occiput. His elbows are well let down, with short, strong pasterns and well arched toes. Nice quality through his body, with good forechest, correct spring of rib and muscular loin. His quarters are well angulated and balanced. I loved his driving hind movement, with free movement of the hock, but would prefer to see him run on a looser lead when moving towards. 3. Tucker's Mariglen Night Wish For Walshaw. Attractively marked, 3 year old blue belton male. Masculine head with low set ears and moderately deep, fairly square muzzle. Muscular neck, slightly arched at crest. Straight forelegs, strong, rounded bone and well arched toes. Enough depth in brisket, with well sprung ribs and short, strong coupling. Long from hip to hock, with good bend of stifle. In lovely coat and condition. Moved well, carrying a level topline, with correct tail action. Eleanor Bryant (Phenset)