Gordon Setter Club of Scotland Championship show 3rd May 2026 Nicky Ackerley-Kemp Yennadon

Firstly, I would like to thank the club members for voting for me to undertake this appointment, it is a real honour. The committee and stewards were welcoming and looked after the judges exceptionally well. Both the judge of Championship Show 2 and I were pleased to be able to judge our lovely breed outdoors. I was pleased with the overall quality and quantity of the entry, although it is a pity there are not many puppies at present. Hopefully, more will enter the ring later in the year. The sportsmanship was evident, and it was good to hear applause for all the class placings.

Overall, I found very few exaggerations. I am concerned about upright shoulders creeping in, long hair across a short upper arm does not hide this fault. A judge can tell where the placement is, a short upper arm  and  upright shoulders can lead to reduced extension in front, and often a shorter neck. The setter needs to be balanced to be fit for function, correct front angulation is as critical as rear angulation. Coats were generally good, and colour rich chestnut tan and clear. I found heads to be correctly balanced . forefaces were not too long, and eyes in the main were dark. Gordons need stamina and strength without being coarse, they are an athletic dog who should move with purpose with reach and drive from short straight hocks,  to ensure they can effortlessly cover the ground.  My line ups demonstrated these qualities, it must be said there is more depth of quality in bitches than dogs.

Junior Dog(1)

1st  Rhiwgerrig Caractacus by Melview

Alone but a worthy winner. Nicely proportioned and balanced throughout. Excellent fore chest and front angulation with complimentary rear angulation. Plenty of substance and strong over the loin. Correct head shape, brick on brick, dark eyes, Chiselling on the cheeks and skull. Strong level topline complimented on the move with correct tail carriage . Moved true coming and going. I am sure he has a bright future and considered him for the RCC. One to watch.

Yearling Dog (2)

1st Laurelhach Bugattie at Siochail

Preferred the hind movement of 1. Well balanced, Correct head shape, correct dark eye . Nice shoulder angulations and plenty of width to thigh. Well sprung ribs and slightly deeper in body.

2nd Gailiech Wimpa

Correct head plains and kind expression from dark eyes. I preferred the colour of this dog, a richer clear tan, Good front, maintains correct topline with a level back. Correct tail set. Moved a little close behind today, maybe  because he was having a lot of fun!

Novice dog (1)

1st Herwood Bleu Jelly Baby

Dog and handler new to the sport and both did really well.

Dog of moderate size, workmanlike no exaggerations, Shown in hard condition. Well worth continuing with his show career.

Undergraduate dog

1st  Rhiwgerrig Caractacus by Melview

2nd Gailiech Wimpa

3rd Lignum Money Talks at Bratticus

Graduate dog

1st Rhiwgerrig Caractacus by Melview

2nd Gailiech Wimpa

3rd Lignum Money Talks at Bratticus

Post Graduate dog

1st Ronaldsbill Trail blazer at Bridgemere

A workmanlike dog, shown in hard condition. Excellent front angulation with plenty of fore chest and well laid shoulders, correct length of upper arm. Strong across the loin, and drove well from well developed hind quarters. Strength to second thigh

2nd Lannireach Star Gazer

Nicely presented in good coat. Well balanced head with chiselling, kind expression, and dark eye .  Not the front angulation of 1. Maintains topline on the move, correct tail set.

Mid Limit dog

Nice class of balanced Gordon males of correct size

1st Marlbeck Maldini

Lovely rich chestnut colour, . Correct headpiece. Kind expression Neat feet. Good fore chest and front angulation  Well placed shoulders , sloping well back level topline , strong over the loin.  Shown in hard condition. Moved well when settled. Nothing exaggerated- a sound dog .

2nd  Krisada not in Kansas

Slightly bigger frame. Excellent bone, good front assembly, deep brisket, strong level topline. Good width to thigh.  Correct tail set. Just needs to relax, once he does, he demonstrates sound movement on a loose lead.

3rd Cafoteliena Heart of a Hero JW

Limit dog

1ST Paradise Picking Parsley at Bridgemere

Both these dogs demonstrate good construction and breed type. I preferred the free movement of 1 . He stands well over the ground naturally.  There are no exaggerations .Good front, plenty of fore chest, correct length to upper arm and lay of shoulder. Level back. Width to thigh, second thigh evident Strong straight hocks  Correct tail set,

2nd Liric Just the Ticket

Pushed 1 hard, balanced throughout. Well-constructed shoulders and broad muscular hindquarters , plenty of flat bone. Keen intelligent expression. Moves soundly

Open dog

2 well presented dogs shown in hard condition

1St

ROM/SRB/BIH/FEB CH/SRB/BIH GCH Foresters Northern Light of Darkmoor at Muckhart  JW  (Imp Deu)

All male Gordon setter, with athleticism and without exaggeration. Shown in excellent coat and condition. Well-shaped skull, kind intelligent expression, dark eye. Excellent colour, neat feet. Good length to upper arm nice lay of shoulder, wide flat shoulder blade. Plenty of fore chest , good Spring of rib, strong over the loin. Strong hindquarters, correct length from hip to hock . Evident second thigh .Stifle  strong and short . Moves freely, and correctly RCC

2ND Gailiech Ngalyod

Slightly smaller mould , balanced throughout. Nice chiselled shape to skull, kind expression, Nicely shaped feet,  Moves freely

Champion dog

1st  SH CH Red Admiral by Rubymoon JW

I liked this dogs size and substance. He is well balanced, has a lovely head and expression, very dark eyes. Correct length to neck , good length to upper arm and lay of shoulder, allowing for reach on the move.  Well developed rib cage, strong over the loin. Excellent hind quarters. Correct length from hip to hock. The dog stands over the ground well on straight hocks. Correct croup with pelvis just tending to horizontal allowing for the hind legs to  propel the dog forward with strength and drive .  CC

Veteran dog

1ST   Balnakeil Beinn Corradail of Blairbelles

Well presented, in good coat, a sound moving dog. Nice shape to skull and dark eve. Head a little deep for me . Well-constructed fore and aft with strong topline . Plenty width to stifle. Evident second thigh

2nd  Amscot Brief Encounter

Nice make and shape. Correct tan colouring. Nice head shape. Not the width of thigh of 1 . Moved out well.

 Nice make and shape.

Special Vintage dog

1st Rhum Night  Legend ShCM VW

Lovely boy. Classic head shape . This dog is balanced throughout. Good front angulation matched by a strong rear. Moves well.

2nd Lachmhor Serendipity for Siochall (IMP HRV)

Larger framed boy . Not the front of1. Has a deep chest and well ribbed back . Covers the ground with purpose.

Field Trial dog

1ST Chartan Monkey Puzzle

4 year old male. Alone but a worthy winner. Lovely head and correct tan . Good shoulders, good fore chest. Strong topline, deep chest and correct croup. Lovely class to win, as much effort goes into being eligible for this class.

Baby Puppy Bitch

1st  Balnakeil Creag Nan Damh

My notes say baby puppy with potential. Moved and stood well. Plenty of bone. Good colour. Nice shape to skull, cheeky expression. Deep chest and width to thigh . Moved confidently.

Yearling Bitch

1st Laurelhach Mercedes at Blairbelles JW

Lovely make and shape. Correct tan markings . Moves effortlessly. Nothing overdone . Correct head plains, strong neck and well placed shoulders . Strong across loin, level back Correct tail set.

Novice Bitch

1st Krisada Elixir for Midnight

Nice size and overall balance. Kind expression, and good shape to skull. Strong topline, deep chest. Moved ok

Undergraduate Bitch

1st  Laurelhach Mercedes at Blairbelles JW

2nd Marlbeck Maddalena. Nice make and shape , balanced throughout. Pleasing head with chiselling. Good body proportions. Shown in hard condition

Graduate Bitch.

1st Ardnadam willow Coppice at Macdui

Balanced girl, no exaggerations, shown in  excellent coat and condition. Pretty head with kind expression.  Strong throughout  whilst retaining femininity. Excellent shoulder angulation, deep chest, plenty of fore chest  and spring of rib. Strong across the loin. Moved freely and soundly with reach and drive

2nd  Cafotaleina all eyes on me

Unlucky to meet 1. Well constructed girl, lacks the maturity of 1 at this stage, Slightly longer in foreface. Has a kind eye. Moves soundly  

Post Graduate Bitch

1st Ardnadam Willow Coppice at Macdui

2nd Ardnadam Hazlenut

Sister to 1 and similar remarks apply . Pretty bitch, correct make and shape, strength without coarseness . Strong rear end that she uses to drive. Deep chest, plenty of heart room. Correct shoulder angulation allowing for reach. Not quite so steady on the move as her sister.

3rd Greens Balnakeil Creag Rainich JW

4th Chartan Little Black Dress

VHC Pipruda Jubilee

Limit

1st  Smith’s Myerside Niamh with Clacorick SGWC

1ST and 2 similar type. Both are the correct size and move correctly with drive and purpose . No exaggerations and clean lines. No coarseness

Feminine  head with a kind expression. Level topline . Good angulation to shoulders and width to thigh. Evident second thigh. Excellent topline and tail carriage on the move . This young lady moves effortlessly and covers the ground with style . In profile she demonstrates her sound construction in reach and drive . RCC

2ND Thomas’ Chartan Maple Mayhem

Similar remarks apply, and pushed hard  for 1st slot, I preferred the cleaner shoulder of 1. Well shaped skull and dark eye. Excellent depth and strength . Deep chest and spring of rib, Nice head, alert expression. Short tail set on correctly and used on the move , Free correct movement

3rd Hardy’s Cafotaliena Hello my Love

4th Mosscript Port Ellen

Open

1st Roberts SH CH Moonglade Lily Mae Magic

Another quality compact   girl.   Balanced head with chiselling on the cheek and  skull ,dark eyes, low earset. Well angulated in front, Lovely strong slightly arched neck  Strong across the  loin, good spring to rib, level topline  and strong rear. Width to thigh and correct stifle. Shown in full coat and hard condition . Moves correctly covering the ground with ease.  Pleased to award her  the CC

2nd Halls Clohass Diamond By Melview

Nice bitch, Pretty head. Good front and depth to chest, strong correctly angulated rear. No exaggerations. Correct topline and tail set. Lacked the purpose of 1 on the move today .

Veteran

1st Hardy’s Cottonstones Evergreen with Cafotaliena

A lovely girl, good colour, balanced throughout. Lovely well shaped head . Nice shoulder placement , and rear angulation. Moved correctly and with style

Special vintage

1st Harrisons Paradise Final Fling

10 year old girl who epitomises the Gordon ability to mature slowly and with style!

Presented in full coat and moved correctly with purpose. Lovely chestnut tan Pretty head and expression . Balanced skull with chiselling. Excellent forechest, and strong rear.. Lovely short tail  Drives from short straight hocks. Pushed hard for top honours. Pleased to award BVIS

2nd Thomas’ Chartan Treacle Tart JW

Another well made Veteran with strength and substance and moves well belying her age. Feminine pretty head . Good construction  

3rd Smiths’ Clacorick Scottish Lilt

Res Mosscript Strathisla

Field Trial

1st Thomas’ Chartan Maple Mayhem  Best Field Trial in Show.

2nd Thomas’ Chartan Little Black Dress

Nice dark eyes and kind expression, Well constructed , good front and strong rear. Plenty of heart room, and strong loin. Drives from strong straight hocks.  

Brace

1ST Mr H and Mrs M Miller

Well matched pair in excellent condition and moved in tune with each other and the handler!

2ND Miss N and Miss C Hardy

3RD Mr W Smith and Mrs B Smith

Team

1st Mr H and Mrs M Miller

Great effort, 3 nice dogs all in great condition. A very game handler!