The NEFRA Shared Venue Show, comprising both the Championship Show and Open Show, was held on 3rd May 2026 at Thirsk Mart, Yorkshire, and proved to be a thoroughly enjoyable and successful day. The event showcased the friendly, welcoming atmosphere that makes NEFRA gatherings so special, with members and visitors coming together to support the Association and enjoy two well-run shows at a shared venue.
Results from both the Championship Show and Open Show are available on the Fosse Data website, with links shared below.
- Open Show: https://www.fossedata.co.uk/show-results/northern-england-flatcoated-retriever-association-open-show-may-2026.aspx
- Championship Show: https://www.fossedata.co.uk/show-results/northern-england-flatcoated-retriever-association-championship-show-may-2026.aspx
Please note that one result does not appear on Fosse Data: Best Baby Puppy at the Championship Show was awarded to the dog Huyton’s Hightyne Hypasonic Missile, catalogue number 43. Baby puppy classes were very kindly sponsored by Eddy Harrison. The shows were sponsored by Hoddy’s Dog Food
Thank you to our judges, Helen Osborne-Brown and Carol Moore, and to everyone who attended and supported our double show. A special thank you also goes to Harry, who took thousands of photographs over the course of the day.
This event also marked the first NEFRA show involvement for our new Honorary Show Secretary, Gill Smitherman. Gill worked hard behind the scenes to support the smooth running of the day, and her contribution was very much appreciated. We are delighted to welcome her into the role and look forward to working with her at many future NEFRA events.
The NEFRA shop was a busy focal point throughout the day.
Although homemade cakes weren’t available on this occasion, a great deal of hard work had gone on behind the scenes to prepare a tempting range of homemade dog treats, all created with Flatcoated Retrievers in mind. Options included cranberry and apple, parsley and mint for fresh breath, calming ginger and camomile, carrot and apple, antioxidant-rich blueberry and banana, sweet potato chews, and tuna with oregano and thyme. All treats were oat based, hypoallergenic and preservative free, and with limited supplies available they sold very quickly. Every penny raised will help to support NEFRA in its many activities, and thank you to everyone who stopped by and treated their dogs.
Our new NEFRA badges were also available at the show, priced at £4 each, and were very well received.
Anne Haley was also present at the show and was happy to chat throughout the day about all things working. Whether attendees were just starting out with training or considering entering a working test, Anne offered friendly, practical guidance and encouragement. Many found it a relaxed and approachable introduction to working activities, and it may well have opened the door to new and exciting opportunities for both handlers and their dogs. 🐾
Championship Show
Championship Show – Top Results
Best in Show: Sh Ch Windyhollows Ragged Robin JW (Mr E W, Mrs P J and Miss N E Colson)
Reserve Best in Show: Hopevalley Morning Xanadu JW (Mrs M E Romeo-Dieste)
Best Opposite Sex in Show: Hopevalley Morning Xanadu JW (Mrs M E Romeo-Dieste)
Best Puppy in Show: Levliann Tit for Tat (Mrs L Varty-Lindsay)
Best Veteran in Show: Blacktoft Dancing On Ice with Windyhollows (AI) (Mrs P J and Ms H M Colson and Fox)
Best Liver in Show: Murphy’s Treat (Miss E Shepherdson)
Best Special Working in Show: Secret Blue Dress Basteta for Gemswin JW Sgwc (Imp Lt) (Mrs G and Mrs B Jacobs and Reynolds)
Reserve Dog CC: Ronevorg Dark Angel at Lussac JW SGWC ShCEx OSW (Mrs S May)
Reserve Bitch CC: Rainesgift Fair Play (Miss H M Watson)
Best Baby Puppy in Show: Huyton’s Hightyne Hypasonic Missile
Open Show
Open Show – Top Results
Best in Show: Hopevalley Morning Xanadu JW (Mrs M E Romeo-Dieste)
Reserve Best in Show: Levliann Big Bang (Mrs L Varty-Lindsay)
Best Opposite Sex in Show: Levliann Big Bang (Mrs L Varty-Lindsay)
Best Puppy in Show: Culcrieff’s Ferntower Glen of Wetnoses (Mr D E J and Mrs M A Salt)
Best Veteran in Show: Everblack Booze Cruise at Dexanluc (Mr M and Mrs P Mullins)
Best Liver in Show: Murphy’s Treat (Miss E Shepherdson)
Best Working in Show: Kimberfield in Love Again (Mrs R Richards)
Reserve Best Dog: Everblack Booze Cruise at Dexanluc (Mr M and Mrs P Mullins)
Reserve Best Bitch: Satinbaze Tea for Two with Shelkaru (Mrs J Pacey)
Brace: 1st – Mrs J A McQuade
Open Show – Judge’s Critiques
I was delighted to receive the invitation from the Committee of NEFRA to judge today and having been looking forward to it for sometime I can say my day certainly lived up to expectations with such happy and exuberant dogs and their equally pleasant owners. My thanks to the Committee for such a lovely day and to my hard working stewards Kathryn and Michele for keeping everything running so smoothly.
For me a gundog always needs to have correct feet as open toes can be susceptible to damage so this is something I was quite keen on, I also noticed a number of tails that were carried well above the level of the back which did spoil the outline a bit. That said I was extremely pleased with both of my line ups and especially my eventual top winners.
MPuppy Bitch (3)
1st Hototo’s Edge of Glory (Miss C J Chambers) Well built 8 month full of fun, she has a feminine expression from a bright, well shaped eye and smart ear. She has lovely bone and substance for her age with a promising outline and tight feet. On the move she was settled and true.
2nd Levliann Tit for Tat (Mrs L Varty-Lindsay) Precocious 6 month with such a cheeky look to her, loved her head with a good length of muzzle and tidy well set ear. Her forequarters are developing nicely with good bone. She is a touch longer in body at the moment but she is such a baby things are bound to change in time.
3rd Braemist Chase The Moonbeam over Eskwinds (Mr K D & Mrs S J Rees)
Puppy Bitch (2)
1st Hoedun Does It Matter (Mr P Dunnett) 10 month bitch with a nicely moulded head, she has a sweet expression and was using her ears really well. Smaller framed than some but she has a lovely outline, clean through the neck and shoulders with a strong topline and good width to her stifle giving ground covering movement with plenty of forward reach
2nd Levliann Tit for Tat (Mrs L Varty-Lindsay) (repeat)
Junior Bitch (8, 1abs)
1st Seaheart Frida at Gloi JW (Ms E J & Dr L Walker & Roberts) Eye catching 17 month bitch with size and substance. She has a pretty head with a bright, well shaped eye and tidy ears used to advantage. I loved her shape and outline with correct rib under a firm topline, lovely bone and the best of feet. On the move she showed reach and drive, one I considered for top honours
2nd Hopevalley Morning Minuet JW (Mrs D R Markillie) Pushed the winner hard, just not as developed in forechest at the moment. Another beautifully moulded head with a strong jaw and cheeky eye. She flows through the neck to the shoulder and has a firm coupling leading to a well shaped rear giving ground covering movement.
3rd Perrymel Pearl Mist (Mr A P, Mrs H C & Miss M B Osborne-Brown)
Yearling Bitch (5)
1st Pajanbeck Hold My Halo (Mr P & Mrs J & Miss S & Mrs V Egginton & Egginton & Egginton & Davis) Out of the cards in a strong junior class but much more settled here and it showed in the much smoother reach and drive when she moved. She has a balanced head with a well set ear, good bone and tidy feet. She has depth to her chest with correct ribbing. Put down in excellent coat and condition.
2nd Badcall Midwinter Dream at Inchstellie JW (Mrs F Mackessack-Leitch) Very mature girl in body showing depth and power. She has a bright eye of good colour and shape with a strong jaw and broad skull. On the move her strength and drive were clear to see. Another in full coat and shining condition.
3rd Gemswin Wherever I Lay My Hat at Finnashember (Mrs A & Dr I Prior)
Novice Bitch (5)
1st Hoedun Does It Matter (Mr P Dunnett) (repeat)
2nd Maddouse Dimonds R’forever (Mrs J A Mcquade) Well made balanced head with a correct shaped eye of good colour. Firm through the neck with good depth to her rib and enough bone. Moderate in stifle she showed a steady movement
3rd Flanova Black Magic Woman TAF (Miss E M Warren)
Graduate Bitch (6, 1abs)
1st Hopevalley Morning Xanadu JW (Mrs M E Romeo-Dieste) Sometimes you see a dog and you get goose bumps, this was one of those times. Top draw bitch full of class and quality, She has the most beautifully moulded head with bright expressive eyes and tidy ears. All parts of her flowed beautifully together with the correct amount of bone and lovely tight feet. Standing she presented a great picture and when she moved she proved she wasn’t just a looker with strong, clean, driving movement covering the ground with ease. Put down in hard condition with a gleaming coat in a strong line up of bitches I could not look passed her BB and BIS
2nd Satinbaze Tea for Two with Shelkaru (Mrs J Pacey) Elegant bitch with a pretty head and bright well shaped eye. She has a cracking front assembly with the best of shoulders, strong in topline with depth and correct spring of rib. Just the right amount of bone to give the substance that I was looking for. Her well shaped stifles and firmly muscled rear meant she showed power and drive but still being clean and tidy. She pulled it out of the bag in the challenge to take RBB
3rd Ronevorg Queen of Attitude (Mrs J & Mr A Singleton)
Post Graduate Bitch (2)
1st Blacktoft Avelino at Finnashember (Mrs A & Dr I Prior) Honest bitch in fit, hard condition. She is standard sized with correct bone and lovely tight feet, she has a pleasing head with a bright eye and firm underjaw. Good depth to her chest and a short coupling leading to a strong, muscled rear meant she showed excellent, tidy movement
2nd Caci’s The Jewel of June at Inchstellie (Imp Swe) JW (Mrs F Mackessack-Leitch) Feminine bitch with a well shaped eye and ear. She has a deep chest and good bone with a well made rear, moved out well but not quite with the power of my winner
Limit Bitch (9, 1abs)
A very strong class of bitches which is very positive for the breed as these are the producers of the future.
1st Pajanbeck Nine to Five (ai) (Mr P & Mrs J & Miss S & Mrs V Egginton & Egginton & Egginton & Davis) This girl has it all, just the right size and shape with a moulded feminine head set off by a tidy ear. She is balanced in angulation with depth of body and correct rib. Well muscled quarters gave plenty of drive which also brought her into consideration for top honours.
2nd Hototo Pretty Ballerina JW (Miss C J Chambers) Another classy bitch of lovely type with a balanced, pretty head and firm underjaw. She presented a strong outline with pleasing angulation and good bone. Moved clean and steady.
3rd Satinbaze Tranquil Sea (Miss J M Hedges)
Open Bitch (3, 1abs)
1st Sh Ch Hopevalley Morning Wicked (Mrs M E Romeo-Dieste) Stylish bitch in gleaming coat. She has a typey, feminine head and lovely brown eye. Her front assembly is excellent with good layback of shoulder and return of upperarm. Very deep in chest with correct ribbing and a broad rear. On the move she was the full package, handled to great advantage but when it came to the challenge she was just outshone by the younger girls being a tiny bit heavier than my ideal.
2nd Levelmoor Allo Allo avec Rokaness (Mr R G & Mrs V K Burroughs) A different type of bitch to 1st but so well made. She has that cheeky look that just makes you smile with a bright, well shaped eye and tidy ear. Strong in topline with plenty of rib underneath and a short coupling. Steady and clean on the move, just preferred the feet of 1st today.
Veteran Bitch (5)
I love to see these stately ladies having a grand day out and showing the youngsters a thing or two.
1st Hameldowntor Moon River in Manhattan (imp) (Mrs R Richards) Well up to size but so balanced and a joy to watch on the move, she really covered the ground with lots of drive. Beautiful head and eye with a lovely earset. Strong and firm in topline with good bone and tight feet.
2nd Hopevalley Morning Rainbow JW ShCEx OSW VW (Mrs M E Romeo-Dieste) Close up to 1 in a lot of ways with a pleasing shape and angulation on the stand. Soft eye and a tidy ear set her head off nicely. Balanced in size and substance with neat legs and feet which she put to good use on the move.
3rd Blacktoft Dancing On Ice with Windyhollows (ai) (Mrs P J & Ms H M Colson & Fox)
Special Veteran Bitch (0)
Special Liver Bitch (0)
Special Working Bitch (3)
As I expected these girls were presented in tip top condition with plenty of muscle
1st Kimberfield in Love Again (Mrs R Richards) Substantial bitch with a strong, clean outline. Well shaped head with good underjaw, firm through the neck and shoulder with a lovely forechest. Stood on clean legs and good feet, covered the ground smoothly with drive BSW
2nd Skybrook If by Chance (ai) (Ms A & Mrs C Haley & Simons) Another well made bitch in excellent condition. Nicely moulded head with a kind eye. She has a strong topline with plenty of rib underneath it and a well muscled rear. Calm and steady on the move.
3rd Secret Blue Dress Basteta for Gemswin JW Sgwc (Imp Lt) (Mrs G & Mrs B Jacobs & Reynolds)
MPuppy Dog (1)
1st Llantrussa Hawk at Karaholme (Mrs R Tierling) Just 6 months and very much a baby who was having the best of times which is such a pleasure to see. He has a lovely shape standing and a bright, well shaped eye. Despite his enthusiasm he settled to move out with purpose
Puppy Dog (3)
1st Culcrieff’s Ferntower Glen of Wetnoses (Mr D E J & Mrs M A Salt) 11 months of age and maturing on all the right lines. He has a classical head with a dark eye and bright, cheeky expression. Whilst he does need to drop and fill I was impressed with his lovely construction and correct rib with nicely boned legs and tight feet. Once he realised he wasn’t supposed to canter around the ring he moved out smoothly on an even ground covering the ground which earned him BPIS
2nd Flattastic James Sullivan (Mr P A & Mrs J E Mcquillan) Pushed the winner hard but still needs to develop in forechest at the moment. He presented the correct racy outline with lovely bone and neat feet, pleasing rib under a firm topline and strong coupling meant he moved out well with a tidy profile movement.
3rd Zetlandgun Black Jack (Miss Amy Tattersall)
Junior Dog (3)
1st Seaheart Fabian at Dexanluc (Mr M & Mrs P Mullins) Looking at my catalogue after I see he is litter brother to the winner of junior bitch and very much of the same calibre. He is a quality dog shown in marvelous condition with a classy, racy outline. Masculine but kind head with a correct eye. Cracking construction throughout which showed in his lovely, smooth, ground covering movement. He was in consideration when I was looking for my best dog.
2nd Culcrieff’s Ferntower Glen of Wetnoses (Mr D E J & Mrs M A Salt) (repeat)
3rd Zetlandgun Black Jack (Miss Amy Tattersall) Both handler and dog were at their first show, they conducted themselves admirably
Yearling Dog (2, 1abs)
1st Rainesgift Play On Words (Ms C & Mr N Lilly & Reynard) Well built dog with substantial bone just on the right side of being overdone. Masculine in head with a well shaped eye. He is firm and deep in rib with well muscled thighs. A little too interested in the floor in the move but I managed to see enough
Novice (2)
1st Llantrussa Hawk at Karaholme (Mrs R Tierling) (repeat)
2nd Lizzlog The Jolly Friar (Mrs D Barnes) Well up to size with a balanced moulded head and dark eye. Shown in really good coat and condition with a firm topline. A bit too proud of his tail on the move but showed a good profile action.
Graduate Dog (3, 1abs)
1st Hopevalley Morning Magic JW (Miss H Bright) Buoyant, enthusiastic young dog with a strong, racy outline. He has an excellent, well balanced head with a strong underjaw. Firm moderate neck flows well into a lovely front assembly. Very well balanced on the stand just a little too energetic on the move which made him look a touch untidy but when he settled he certainly moved with style.
2nd Lizzlog The Jolly Friar (Mrs D Barnes) (repeat)
Post Graduate Dog (1)
1st Levliann Big Bang (Mrs L Varty-Lindsay) I must applaude the young handler of this boy, she certainly got the very best out of him.
I loved his classic well moulded head with a bright, correctly shaped eye and smart, tidy ear used to advantage. He has a cracking outline showing strength without lumber. Balanced angulation with correct ribbing and lovely bone and tight feet. On the move he covered the ground smoothly, at one with his handler, clean and true in all directions. BD RBIS
Limit Dog (5, 1abs)
1st Gloi Dubh Kristofer Robin JW (Ms E J & Dr L Walker & Roberts) Balanced dog of correct size and in great condition. He has a masculine, moulded head with good underjaw and a bright well shaped eye. Powerful but smooth through the neck and shoulders leading to a firm topline with neat coupling and moderate well muscled rear. He moved out well showing a great profile action.
2nd Pajanbeck Think of Me (ai) (Mr P & Mrs J & Miss S & Mrs V Egginton & Egginton & Egginton & Davis) Upstanding, enthusiastic dog with a strong head and brown eye. He is of good size and substance with clean bone and a strong topline. He moved out much more settled than I expected giving a tidy performance.
3rd Blacktoft Brindisi by Buckleyhill (Mrs H J & Mr I M Buckley)
Open Dog (2)
1st I Know Him So Well at Rokaness JW (Mr R G & Mrs V K Burroughs) Stronger headed dog with a powerful underjaw and bright brown eye. Pleasing through the neck and shoulder with plenty of forechest and correct ribbing. Firm coupling and balanced rear gave strength on the move showing a lovely profile action.
2nd Seaheart Daegan at Dexanluc (Mr M & Mrs P Mullins) Classic head on this boy with lovely moulding and a well set ear. He has depth and spring of rib with matching angulation front and rear. Not quite as tidy on the move as my winner today and a little too proud of his tail.
Veteran Dog (4)
Another class of wonderful veterans showing the longevity of the breed
1st Everblack Booze Cruise at Dexanluc (Mr M & Mrs P Mullins) I loved this boys shape and outline, he has a beautifully moulded classic headpiece so well balanced with a bright eye and tidy ear. His front assembly was a joy to run my hands over just flowing from one part to the next and this carried on over the rest of him. On the move he showed lovely reach and true groundcovering action. RBD BVIS
2nd Ch Woodfinch Masquerade (Mr D & Mrs R Bellamy) Very eye catching dog put down in fabulous condition but just a little less lithesome than my winner. A little more masculine in head than my personal preference but he has a lovely eye and firm underjaw. He has strength and power throughout with a classy outline that is firm and well coupled with a well muscled rear put to good use on the move.
3rd Wistaston Precious Love (ai) (Ms G Fabretti)
Special Veteran Dog (1)
1st Stranfaer Get over It JW (Mr D & Mrs K Joyce) 10 years old and still showing how it should be done. He has lost his topline a tiny bit but that does not detract from his excellent angulation and tidy bone. On the move he certainly didn’t look his years really powering around the ring.
Special Liver Dog (1)
1st Murphy’s Treat (Miss E Shepherdson) This boy was quite distracted today which did affect his overall appearance as he seemed to lose his shape. He has a long, lean head with a bright eye. Firm in topline which promised strength to his movement but his distraction did affect how he covered the ground
Special Working Dog (0)
Brace (3, 1abs)
1st Mrs J A Mcquade
2nd Mrs M E Romeo-Dieste
Judge Carol Moore (Gadhelic)
