Kennel Barecho’s 20th Anniversary Jubilee Show  1989 - 2009 Thursday 16th July 2009

I was thrilled to be asked to judge at this special event. It is no secret that I am an admirer of Helene and Davids’ springers so it was a great opportunity to see many more of them all in one place!

The weather was kind although there was a torrential downpour of rain early on in the proceedings, but that was soon replaced with bright sunshine for the rest of the day. The event was well organised with lots of good food available and so many prizes! There was an Agility course set out and Springer races held during the lunch break which were very entertaining. David kept busy with the loudspeaker system and we were all impressed with the timing of ‘We Are The Champions’ played during the challenge for Best In Show!!!

The judging was simplified – no ribbons or merit awards – just a case of placing the dogs in order of preference which I was hugely relieved about. However, there were critiques to write on some 60 dogs – quite difficult when you are used to writing only about the class winners!
I saw plenty of beautiful springers throughout the day, in the main of good size and moving well with plenty of enthusiasm even the ‘super veteran oldies’. I didn’t see any round eyes and temperaments were all excellent!

Ch Barecho Class Action

Best Bitch and overall Best In Show, was NORDUCH Barecho One Vision. What a stunning bitch - I loved everything about her! The most exquisite head with dreamy expression, a lovely-sized bitch, neat and petite, plenty of substance but still elegant and totally feminine. Lovely neck, shoulders and upper arm and correspondingly good rear angles. The ultimate 'showgirl' moving with great panache, another with superb extension and drive. I just adored her! Not only is she beautiful, she is clearly an outstanding brood bitch as three of her daughters finished as second, third, and fourth best bitches on the day. She is also the mother of the Best Puppy, Best Intermediate, the Litter class and the Progeny class! Many, many congratulations!

Ch Barecho Class Action Ch Barecho One Vision

Ch Barecho Zimply Zuper 'Best head'

It was great to see so many lovely veterans, divided into two classes, of 7-10 years and the super veteran classes of 10+ years. All were in excellent condition, very sound and so happy. Barecho Krossed Out came out top of the boys, a super elegant black and white boy, moving so stylishly but it was Champion Barecho Zuper Diva who took overall Best Veteran In Show. A fabulous bitch in amazing condition, she has the most wonderful feminine head and the darkest of eyes, compact, free from exaggeration and such an incredible mover, sound, strong and full of confidence. It is almost impossible to believe that this superb ambassador for the Barecho kennel is now eleven years old!!

Barecho Quite A Flyer 'Best Mover' and Best Intermediate

Finally awards for the 'Best Head' and the 'Best Mover' of the day. The first of these went to Champion Barecho Zimply Zuper who has the loveliest of male heads with the darkest eyes and a truly melting expression. Best Mover went to the intermediate winner, Barecho Quite A Flyer, still a youngster needing more body and coat to finish, but he moved so positively and freely, sound from all angles and whose animation and style demanded the top prize in this competition.

It was an honour and a pleasure to judge at the Barecho 20-anniversary show – thank you for the invitation and to everyone for bringing their dogs and supporting this special event. A special thanks to my fantastic steward, Tina Kauppinen who helped me throughout the day and lastly, many congratulations to Helene and David on the celebration of their 20 year jubilee. Here's to the next twenty!!!!!

BEST IN SHOW - Champion Barecho One Vision