Judging critiques
Critique for the SCOA Supported shows at the Missouri Rhineland Kennel Club shows.
June 4, 2016
First, I would like to thank the Saluki Club if America for asking me to judge sweepstakes at the supported shows in St Louis. I am honored and truly appreciate the opportunity.
Next, I was overwhelmed by the lovely entry! Thank you to all the exhibitors that traveled and entered. The salukis were wonderful and it was a great honor. I was impressed with the general quality of the entries and feel our future is in good hands.
I would also like to thank my ring steward, Sonnie. She was amazing, kept things moving and was truly a tremendous help.
My Best in Sweeps winner caught my eye as soon as he walked into the ring. Sound, well balanced and in excellent condition. A smooth mover - he never put a foot wrong and it was a pleasure to put my hands on him.
Best of Opposite was an adorable 6-9 month puppy girl! She came into the ring confident and happy. What a pleasure! She handled herself well for such a young pup and was sound going around. Nice light gait and showed like a seasoned CH.
Thank you all again for the entries. The puppies were a pleasure and I will look forward to following their wins and accomplishments as they mature.
The veterans have a special place in my heart. There is something about the older generation that I love. Having a 15 year old myself, I can appreciate these grande ladies & gentlemen.
My Best in Veteran Sweeps went to a nice tri smooth from the 7-10 year class. Smooth mover in fine condition. My kind of dog! Curvy outline and well balanced.
Best of Opposite in Veteran Sweeps was awarded, with pleasure, to a lovely over 12 year, red feathered bitch. In great condition and a sound mover. You don't want to say, "for her age" but she has grown old gracefully.
I would be happy to have any of my winners in my own backyard! Thank you again for the opportunity! It was my pleasure.
Stephanie Gamble
June 4, 2016
First, I would like to thank the Saluki Club if America for asking me to judge sweepstakes at the supported shows in St Louis. I am honored and truly appreciate the opportunity.
Next, I was overwhelmed by the lovely entry! Thank you to all the exhibitors that traveled and entered. The salukis were wonderful and it was a great honor. I was impressed with the general quality of the entries and feel our future is in good hands.
I would also like to thank my ring steward, Sonnie. She was amazing, kept things moving and was truly a tremendous help.
My Best in Sweeps winner caught my eye as soon as he walked into the ring. Sound, well balanced and in excellent condition. A smooth mover - he never put a foot wrong and it was a pleasure to put my hands on him.
Best of Opposite was an adorable 6-9 month puppy girl! She came into the ring confident and happy. What a pleasure! She handled herself well for such a young pup and was sound going around. Nice light gait and showed like a seasoned CH.
Thank you all again for the entries. The puppies were a pleasure and I will look forward to following their wins and accomplishments as they mature.
The veterans have a special place in my heart. There is something about the older generation that I love. Having a 15 year old myself, I can appreciate these grande ladies & gentlemen.
My Best in Veteran Sweeps went to a nice tri smooth from the 7-10 year class. Smooth mover in fine condition. My kind of dog! Curvy outline and well balanced.
Best of Opposite in Veteran Sweeps was awarded, with pleasure, to a lovely over 12 year, red feathered bitch. In great condition and a sound mover. You don't want to say, "for her age" but she has grown old gracefully.
I would be happy to have any of my winners in my own backyard! Thank you again for the opportunity! It was my pleasure.
Stephanie Gamble
Saluki Club of America Sweepstakes held in conjunction with Missouri Valley Kennel Club on June 5, 2016
I would like to thank the Sweepstakes Committee for asking me and putting up with my occasional lapses of memory about which day I was to actually judge. I also want to thank them for the gift basket which was filled with a seemingly endless array of items. My thanks also to the excellent steward (Irene?) whose last name I have forgotten. She kept me on track and made the experience much more enjoyable.
I was greatly honored and humbled by the number of entries that I judged. Once started, I enjoyed the opportunity to assess an entry with such great quality.
Puppy Sweepstakes.
I found the exhibits to be in very nice condition – well muscled while not being coarse. Mostly I saw good layback of shoulder and when gaiting there was good reach without much tendency to hackney or flap. And the side action was ground covering without being heavy. Some moved a little too close in the rear and some crossed pasterns in the front, but I think that a little more time and maturity will remedy some of this. A few did not exhibit a sufficient depth of brisket but that too could change with more time and maturity. While still obviously saluki heads, there were heads that I felt were not as wedge-shaped as I prefer (that is, they were narrow – not ‘moderately wide between the ears’). I saw mostly good toplines. Several of the males were heavy boned and even at these ages the dogs were pushing the upper limits in size.
9-12 Month Dog
1. Sanhurst Skywalker. A little more finished looking to my eye. This tri has nice angulation with the slight arch over the loin and tuck-up that make for the typical saluki outline. His gait was smooth and even with good reach and drive. He was well muscled with good bone. Although he was a little longer in the loin than I prefer, in total he was the better dog on this day.
2. Owl Ridge Gunslinger. This red sable was a very happy mover and had a very nice outline. He was more restricted in his front movement than the winner of the class.
3. Appalachia Hajji ZaimShahjiih. A nice outline and good movement. He is slightly finer boned than the 1st and 2nd place dogs.
4. Owl Ridge Sundance Kid. Had a nice outline. On this day his movement was still very puppyish – more loose and flippy than the other 3.
12-18 Month Dog
1. KrimzynKumamia Kareem MaladAtLahhabeh. His light powerful gait caught my eye. A little larger than I like, his attitude today and overall impression was greater than the sum of his parts. Had a little better depth to his chest than the number 2 dog with a nice shoulder set.This tri smooth has balanced angulation front and rear.
2. Elessars Scorpion OdiEtAmoSilvershadow. A very well put together dog. Very good shoulder and rear angulation. His gait was a little choppy as he was not cooperating. This tri has a very pleasing outline.
3. Yamadan Tariq Arabesque. This red smooth boy did not present as well as the number 1 and 2 dogs. While his gait was better than the number 2 dog on this day, it did not compensate for the better total picture of the 2nd place boy. Had nice, well-balanced angulation and a pleasing outline.
4. Caristeda Formal Attire Windrush. Another with a pleasing and typical outline. He is well balanced front and rear and has a very nice neck set. His movement was light. Going away he was a little narrow in his rear movement. Not quite as finished as the top 3. He needs a little more maturity in order to present himself better.
6-9 Month Bitch
1. AlshiraOonaghFae of Windrush. Very typey red sable bitch. Well angulated front and rear. For the most part very smooth movement with nice reach and drive. Occasionally the front movement would be a little loose and flippy. This should correct itself as she matures. Good head with a sweet expression.
9-12 Month Bitch
1. Shahanshah Mirage. This small red bitch has a very nice outline. She is short coupled and has a strong topline. She gaited well, exhibiting smooth movement with good reach and drive. Still a little puppyish in appearance but is in excellent condition. She has moderate angulation both front and rear. I would prefer a bit more tuck-up but that is nit-picking.
2. Owl Ridge Born to Be Wild. This red girl has moderate angulation both front and rear. She was a happy mover on the day with light movement that exhibited nice reach and drive. She had good tuck-up. She compared well to the 1st place bitch but to my eye her total impression was not as impressive.
3. Appalachia-Hajji’s Forget About the Paycheck. Another with smooth, easy movement with good reach and drive. This grizzle bitch presented a nice outline. Her topline was not as strong as those placing 1st and 2nd.
4. Canapus Imperia. Another short bodied bitch with a good outline and strong topline. This fawn sable’s movement was looser compared to the 1st -3rd place bitches.
12-18 Month Bitch
1. Elessar’s Chicago Fire OdietAmoSilvershadow. An outgoing bitch that presents very pleasing side movement with good reach and drive (when she settles down). She occasionally crossed-over in front but this wasmore a result of her excitement than construction. This chocolate bitch has a very nice head. She is well angulated front and rear. She was not quite as deep in the chest as I would like. Overall she was greater than the sum of her parts.
2. Windrush Opus One. A very typey short bodied bitch. This tri bitch was in very good condition with good, balanced angulation front and rear. Did exhibit some smooth movement with very nice reach and drive but this was interrupted frequently by her high jinks. In many respects she is equal to the 1st place bitch.
3. Tezzy Av ViljeOgVe. This smooth cream (light red parti?) had balanced movement. She is a little straight in the front which restricted her reach when moving. Has good muscling, especially in the thigh. A nice outline with good topline.
4. Elessars the Black List OdietAmoSilvershadow. Very typey bitch with a nice head and pleasing expression. This tri moved well but her reach was also slightly restricted and was choppy at times.
Best in Sweepstakes Shahanshah Mirage.
Best of Opposite Sex to Best in Sweepstakes KrimzynKumamia Kareem MaladAtLahhabeh
Veteran Sweepstakes
I found the exhibits to be maintaining really good condition and most still had strong toplines. They are a credit to their owners. They demonstrated the continuing quality we see as our salukis age.
7-10 Year Dog
1. GCH Scimitars AvariAAjahJager. A well balanced dog with nice reach and drive. A light mover in very good condition. This tri had a very pleasing expression on a nice head. He was a little longer in the body than I normally prefer. He has a very nice outline.
2. GCH KyzylKumTemujin. A short bodied, well-muscled black parti. Has a nice head with a strong underjaw. Well balanced with a very nice outline. His front movement was slightly restricted and it was this that ultimately resulted in his placement.
10-12 Year Dog
1. GCH DC Karob Parmenides al Elea SC FCH. Showed light, almost effortless, movement. A masculine, strongly built dog in excellent condition. Has a nice tuck-up and a very nice outline. This grizzle also has a nice deep chest. His overall appearance and condition were better than the others in the class.
2. GCH Smooth ‘N Swank JC. Another light mover although he elbowed out some. This smooth tri is slighter in build than the 1st place dog, but equally masculine. Well balanced front and rear with a nice outline.
3. GCH Caristeda Alexander the Great CD AX AXJ DF RAE SC. This tri was in excellent condition. He has nice side movement. A masculine dog with a very nice expression. He is a little longer in the loin than I prefer.
4. RamijMufasaIbnAmani JC. A nice masculine red dog. He was not as relaxed as the others and moved more stiffly as a result. He is short coupled and has a nice outline.
7-10 Year Bitch
1. GCH Owl Ridge Outlaw. This dark red sable bitch was very moderate with a good outline. As with all of the veterans she was in very good condition. She has a pleasing head with a nice expression. She moves lightly and has nice reach and drive. She is moderately angulated and balanced front and rear.
2. GCH Blue Nile Special Promise. An easy mover with nice reach and drive, she did cross-over coming and going. A moderate, well-balanced bitch.
10-12 Year Bitch
1. ChNefisaJahira Tribute. This light red (almost cream) sabled bitch still has a very good outline. She is well-balanced front and rear. She has maintained her muscling and moves well.
12+ Year Bitch
1. Ch. Scenario KarobetTazi. A very nice outline with a deep chest and good tuckup. Slightly long in the loin and straighter in the front than I like. She has maintained a good topline, especially when moving. Her gait was restricted in front, almost a prance. Not as balanced front and rear as I like. This red sable bitch does not look her age.
Best in Veteran Sweepstakes GCH Owl Ridge Outlaw
Best of Opposite Sex to Best in Veteran Sweepstakes GCH Scimitars AvariAAjahJager
I would like to thank the Sweepstakes Committee for asking me and putting up with my occasional lapses of memory about which day I was to actually judge. I also want to thank them for the gift basket which was filled with a seemingly endless array of items. My thanks also to the excellent steward (Irene?) whose last name I have forgotten. She kept me on track and made the experience much more enjoyable.
I was greatly honored and humbled by the number of entries that I judged. Once started, I enjoyed the opportunity to assess an entry with such great quality.
Puppy Sweepstakes.
I found the exhibits to be in very nice condition – well muscled while not being coarse. Mostly I saw good layback of shoulder and when gaiting there was good reach without much tendency to hackney or flap. And the side action was ground covering without being heavy. Some moved a little too close in the rear and some crossed pasterns in the front, but I think that a little more time and maturity will remedy some of this. A few did not exhibit a sufficient depth of brisket but that too could change with more time and maturity. While still obviously saluki heads, there were heads that I felt were not as wedge-shaped as I prefer (that is, they were narrow – not ‘moderately wide between the ears’). I saw mostly good toplines. Several of the males were heavy boned and even at these ages the dogs were pushing the upper limits in size.
9-12 Month Dog
1. Sanhurst Skywalker. A little more finished looking to my eye. This tri has nice angulation with the slight arch over the loin and tuck-up that make for the typical saluki outline. His gait was smooth and even with good reach and drive. He was well muscled with good bone. Although he was a little longer in the loin than I prefer, in total he was the better dog on this day.
2. Owl Ridge Gunslinger. This red sable was a very happy mover and had a very nice outline. He was more restricted in his front movement than the winner of the class.
3. Appalachia Hajji ZaimShahjiih. A nice outline and good movement. He is slightly finer boned than the 1st and 2nd place dogs.
4. Owl Ridge Sundance Kid. Had a nice outline. On this day his movement was still very puppyish – more loose and flippy than the other 3.
12-18 Month Dog
1. KrimzynKumamia Kareem MaladAtLahhabeh. His light powerful gait caught my eye. A little larger than I like, his attitude today and overall impression was greater than the sum of his parts. Had a little better depth to his chest than the number 2 dog with a nice shoulder set.This tri smooth has balanced angulation front and rear.
2. Elessars Scorpion OdiEtAmoSilvershadow. A very well put together dog. Very good shoulder and rear angulation. His gait was a little choppy as he was not cooperating. This tri has a very pleasing outline.
3. Yamadan Tariq Arabesque. This red smooth boy did not present as well as the number 1 and 2 dogs. While his gait was better than the number 2 dog on this day, it did not compensate for the better total picture of the 2nd place boy. Had nice, well-balanced angulation and a pleasing outline.
4. Caristeda Formal Attire Windrush. Another with a pleasing and typical outline. He is well balanced front and rear and has a very nice neck set. His movement was light. Going away he was a little narrow in his rear movement. Not quite as finished as the top 3. He needs a little more maturity in order to present himself better.
6-9 Month Bitch
1. AlshiraOonaghFae of Windrush. Very typey red sable bitch. Well angulated front and rear. For the most part very smooth movement with nice reach and drive. Occasionally the front movement would be a little loose and flippy. This should correct itself as she matures. Good head with a sweet expression.
9-12 Month Bitch
1. Shahanshah Mirage. This small red bitch has a very nice outline. She is short coupled and has a strong topline. She gaited well, exhibiting smooth movement with good reach and drive. Still a little puppyish in appearance but is in excellent condition. She has moderate angulation both front and rear. I would prefer a bit more tuck-up but that is nit-picking.
2. Owl Ridge Born to Be Wild. This red girl has moderate angulation both front and rear. She was a happy mover on the day with light movement that exhibited nice reach and drive. She had good tuck-up. She compared well to the 1st place bitch but to my eye her total impression was not as impressive.
3. Appalachia-Hajji’s Forget About the Paycheck. Another with smooth, easy movement with good reach and drive. This grizzle bitch presented a nice outline. Her topline was not as strong as those placing 1st and 2nd.
4. Canapus Imperia. Another short bodied bitch with a good outline and strong topline. This fawn sable’s movement was looser compared to the 1st -3rd place bitches.
12-18 Month Bitch
1. Elessar’s Chicago Fire OdietAmoSilvershadow. An outgoing bitch that presents very pleasing side movement with good reach and drive (when she settles down). She occasionally crossed-over in front but this wasmore a result of her excitement than construction. This chocolate bitch has a very nice head. She is well angulated front and rear. She was not quite as deep in the chest as I would like. Overall she was greater than the sum of her parts.
2. Windrush Opus One. A very typey short bodied bitch. This tri bitch was in very good condition with good, balanced angulation front and rear. Did exhibit some smooth movement with very nice reach and drive but this was interrupted frequently by her high jinks. In many respects she is equal to the 1st place bitch.
3. Tezzy Av ViljeOgVe. This smooth cream (light red parti?) had balanced movement. She is a little straight in the front which restricted her reach when moving. Has good muscling, especially in the thigh. A nice outline with good topline.
4. Elessars the Black List OdietAmoSilvershadow. Very typey bitch with a nice head and pleasing expression. This tri moved well but her reach was also slightly restricted and was choppy at times.
Best in Sweepstakes Shahanshah Mirage.
Best of Opposite Sex to Best in Sweepstakes KrimzynKumamia Kareem MaladAtLahhabeh
Veteran Sweepstakes
I found the exhibits to be maintaining really good condition and most still had strong toplines. They are a credit to their owners. They demonstrated the continuing quality we see as our salukis age.
7-10 Year Dog
1. GCH Scimitars AvariAAjahJager. A well balanced dog with nice reach and drive. A light mover in very good condition. This tri had a very pleasing expression on a nice head. He was a little longer in the body than I normally prefer. He has a very nice outline.
2. GCH KyzylKumTemujin. A short bodied, well-muscled black parti. Has a nice head with a strong underjaw. Well balanced with a very nice outline. His front movement was slightly restricted and it was this that ultimately resulted in his placement.
10-12 Year Dog
1. GCH DC Karob Parmenides al Elea SC FCH. Showed light, almost effortless, movement. A masculine, strongly built dog in excellent condition. Has a nice tuck-up and a very nice outline. This grizzle also has a nice deep chest. His overall appearance and condition were better than the others in the class.
2. GCH Smooth ‘N Swank JC. Another light mover although he elbowed out some. This smooth tri is slighter in build than the 1st place dog, but equally masculine. Well balanced front and rear with a nice outline.
3. GCH Caristeda Alexander the Great CD AX AXJ DF RAE SC. This tri was in excellent condition. He has nice side movement. A masculine dog with a very nice expression. He is a little longer in the loin than I prefer.
4. RamijMufasaIbnAmani JC. A nice masculine red dog. He was not as relaxed as the others and moved more stiffly as a result. He is short coupled and has a nice outline.
7-10 Year Bitch
1. GCH Owl Ridge Outlaw. This dark red sable bitch was very moderate with a good outline. As with all of the veterans she was in very good condition. She has a pleasing head with a nice expression. She moves lightly and has nice reach and drive. She is moderately angulated and balanced front and rear.
2. GCH Blue Nile Special Promise. An easy mover with nice reach and drive, she did cross-over coming and going. A moderate, well-balanced bitch.
10-12 Year Bitch
1. ChNefisaJahira Tribute. This light red (almost cream) sabled bitch still has a very good outline. She is well-balanced front and rear. She has maintained her muscling and moves well.
12+ Year Bitch
1. Ch. Scenario KarobetTazi. A very nice outline with a deep chest and good tuckup. Slightly long in the loin and straighter in the front than I like. She has maintained a good topline, especially when moving. Her gait was restricted in front, almost a prance. Not as balanced front and rear as I like. This red sable bitch does not look her age.
Best in Veteran Sweepstakes GCH Owl Ridge Outlaw
Best of Opposite Sex to Best in Veteran Sweepstakes GCH Scimitars AvariAAjahJager