Firstly, my very best wishes for a complete recovery to Birgit Hayward, for whom I was substituting. Due to an over-run in our allotted ring, a completely new ring was hastily assembled on the concrete outside the hall, where we enjoyed the fresh air and sunshine – even if the breeze sometimes played havoc with ears! Many thanks to my two excellent stewards, Messrs. Coddington and Ruston, who were pulled from their respective rings and kept everything running like clockwork. It was a pleasure to judge so many sound and happy Smooths, many of whom greeted me with wags and smiles.

JD 1 Wallis’ Freejack First Knight At Norfield. Attractive tri. with a nicely moulded head and well-placed eyes, giving intelligent expression. Moved out well, keeping his topline. 2 Moores’ Manordeifi Storm Breaker. Another nice tri youngster, with good conformation. Head well balanced, ears a bit erratic. Moved with drive, but a bit proud of his tail today. 3 Purvey’s Freejack Royal Knight.

PGD 1 Fort’s Shulune Lord Haldir. Richly coloured sable at the in-between stage. Good head planes with flat skull and nicely moulded foreface, eye a shade light but does not spoil his expression. A bit gangly on the move, but should improve with maturity. 2 Winter and Unwin’s Sturtmoor Alexavier Odessy At Snowtrekker. Well made tri with a lovely tight jacket. Needs to flatten in skull. Moved out well.

LD (4,1) 1 Wallis’ Norfield Soul Mate. Very attractive and richly coloured sable who presents a balanced and impressive outline, being very soundly put together with a particularly good front. Good head planes, nicely placed eyes and neat ears give a pleasant expression.  Moved with drive. I liked him a lot. Res CC. 2 Moores’ Manordeifi Solar Eclipse. 5 year old tri who wasn’t keen to help his handler. Strongly built, with a pleasant head. He carries rather a thick ruff and persisted in standing with his head stuck forward, which accentuated it. Moved as his conformation suggested. 3 Purvey’s Freejack The Highlander.

OD (3,1) 1 Lister’s Ch.Eridor I’m Mr Blu At Newarp (Imp). At  two and a half, this young blue is already well grown, having a splendidly firm and well developed body with strong bones and neat feet.  His head is balanced with a flat skull and well filled foreface. He has neat ears which he uses constantly and his nicely shaped and set eyes give a kind expression. He moves firmly and steadily with a long driving stride, keeping his topline and carrying his tail correctly. Should be a force to be reckoned with in the breed for years to come. CC and BOB. 2 Forbes’ Pelghart Paint It Black At Willowhurst. Not yet two, this very nice youngster has all the makings, being well put together  with a pleasant head and expression and a lovely tight jacket. Looked immature compared with the winner.

PB (2,1) 1 Moores’ Manordeifi Penny Blue. Stood alone and was the only puppy present. A very pretty 11 months blue whose colour is clearing. She is nicely made and very feminine with a balanced head and nice eye placement. When under control her ears are neat and give her an intelligent and enquiring expression. Moved OK once she settled. BPIB.

JB (4,1) 1 Gay’s Manordeifi Sapphire Mist At Yagane. Just out of puppy, this blue lass has some ‘filling out’ to do. She is well put together and uses herself well but looks very immature. Head is balanced with pleasant eyes and neat ears. Moved with drive. One for the future when her colour clears. 2 Purvey’s Freejack A Touch Of Magic. Blue whose colouring is lovely. Not quite the head properties or expression of the winner. 3 Moores’ Manordeifi Silverdora.

PGB (4,1) 1 Robinson’s Dawcher Dream Searcher. 2 year old tri who excels in overall balance having a strong and firm body with lovely shoulder placement, good reach of neck and particularly firm quarters. For me, she is top size, although some of her rivals appeared taller. She has a very nice head, with flat skull, super eye placement and neat ears, giving a kind and intelligent expression. Moved out well, with a light and purposeful stride. I will watch her progress with interest and was pleased to award her her 1st CC. 2 Gidding’s Foxearth Gold Filigree. Very  pretty sable, whose almost perfect head profile reminded me a lot of her dam. Used herself well but is immature in body. Time is on her side. Moved well but needs to control her tail. 3 Coates’ Starlight Spirit At Pencloda.

LB (4,1) 1 Hills’ Devern Fait A Compli. Really black tri with excellent conformation, well balanced head with nice flat skull. Her perfect ear carriage and lovely eye placement give a pleasing expression. Moved with a light, firm stride. Res CC. 2 Fort’s Shulune Lady Of Lorien. Richly coloured sable with good head properties, having a flat skull and well moulded foreface. Eye a little light. Neat ears. Moved well. 3 Moores’ Manordeifi Silver Dawn. JW.

OB (5,1) 1 Gay’s Hilltarn Kiri At Yagane Sh. CM. At almost 7, this merle has a beautifully mature outlook. Excellent conformation, balanced head and good eye placement giving pleasing expression. Perfect for size and excelling in movement with a light firm and driving stride. Her heavy black marking pegged her back. 2 Sewell’s Ch. Foxearth Farris Via Lewerne. Lovely deep black, with splendid conformation, balanced head and neat ears. Looked a picture standing and moved very well. Just too tall for me. 3 Hills’ Ch. Devern Blue Silhouette.

Barbara Blake