Southern English Springer
Spaniel Society
We will be holding our
50th Anniversary Breed Championship Show
and
Open Show
on
Sunday 13th July
at the
The Dobermann Club Training & Showground
Hertford Road, Digswell, Herts AL6 0BU
Championship Show Judge Jo Cunliffe (Fallenleaf)
Having been brought up in a farming family, I was always fortunate that dogs and ponies always featured in our lives. Life took over and my chosen career as a Nurse determined that neither were feasible hobbies, although my love and interest for both never waned. Scroll forward more years that I care to recall, careers changed direction several times and I married my husband Geoff, who had a working Springer Spaniel, Benji. Benji sadly left us very suddenly, we were devastated and made enquiries to find another Springer. My search led me to Bracken, aka Prowseman Air of Mystery, joining us. We were assured she was good enough to show, we applied for our affix of Fallenleaf, this is where we were married at Lake Tahoe, California, by the side of Fallenleaf Lake, under a huge fir tree . . . seemed fitting for the chosen affix … and the rest they say is history.
Bracken had a good degree of successes, gaining a RCC, her Stud Book Number and her Irish Champion title, together we learned so much . . . I am grateful for everything she taught me . . . more often hampered by me as a very inexperienced handler, but we all need to start somewhere and by this time I was totally hooked.
I’ve been extremely fortunate over the last 30 years, I have shared my life (and sofa) with some wonderful Springers, each one special in their own way … some have had more successes than others but all of them gained their Stud Book Numbers.
Together we attained CCs and RCCs, UK and Irish Champions and more recently, adding Belgium Veteran Champion to the trophy cabinet.
I am extremely grateful to those who have helped me thus far with my successes, commiserated with my defeats and educated me on how to get the best out of my dog. I even think I’ve just about got this handling lark cracked, but I do believe you never ever stop learning.
Life sometimes takes over so although not as active in the ring as I would like, I still enjoy the local shows, the occasional Championship Show and now venturing further afield.
My current team are both veterans, one is semi-retired whilst the other is storming into veteran like a puppy. I now show frequently in Ireland and more recently ventured to Brussels, which was an amazing experience …. I’m sure we’ll add more stamps to our collective passports. And who knows, in the future, hopefully adding to the team.
In addition to my dogs and showing, my other passion is travel and myself and Geoff enjoy our vacations. I am fascinated by the paranormal and ghost hunting and love visiting old graveyards on some of our travels. I am very fortunate that I can combine my passion for showing with my love of travel covering many hundreds of miles over the year with friends with similar interests.
I am extremely grateful to the club for this wonderful invitation and am looking forward immensely to judging your beautiful Springer Spaniels. In advance, I thank you for bringing your dogs for my assessment – most of all, I am sure we will have a wonderful day.
Open Show Judge Ruth Lewis (Valasarch)
I have owned or been owned by Irish setters since the mid 1980's and began showing in breed and Junior Handling classes with great success. My first judging appointment was in 1989 whilst I was still a teenager.
I thoroughly enjoy judging, especially Gundogs and I award CCs in Irish Setters.
I have been involved and admired your lovely breed for quite few years but did not actually judged them until 2016.
My eldest daughter co-owned and helped to show my close friends English Springer Spaniels. I also handled them on many occasions.
I feel honoured to be invited to judge your breed club Open Show and thank the officers and committee.
I look forward to judging your beautiful dogs.
The Southern & Northern English Springer Spaniel Societies
are holding an
A3 Hands-on Assessment
on
Sunday 13th July 2025
at
The Dobermann Training Club Showground
Hertford Road
Digswell
HERTFORDSHIRE
AL6 0BU
Candidates to arrive by 2.00pm
The assessment will follow on from our Championship and Open shows.
Candidates to have judged 115 ESS or a minimum of 90 ESS with future appointments
Cost £15 per person
Please contact Mrs Judi Whitworth for an application form
Telephone 07581342745 or email judiwhitworth1@outlook.com
