Best In Show, Judge: Mrs. K. Wilkinson (Otterkin)
So, the best waited today until the very last class to make an appearance in Veteran Bitch. Until I saw her, I had in my mind the outstanding star who had won the previous class as the most likely to be taking this top award, but Betty Boo blew that idea away. I first judged her at the City of Birmingham Ch show in 2009 when she was only 10 months old, but she was an outstanding Border even at that young age (just at the right stage of development for a puppy) and despite giving myself a good talking to in 2009, as I had never awarded a CC to a puppy before, she won the Bitch CC and Best of Breed that day and so was to repeat it here today, now as an 8 and 1/2 year old Veteran. A spine tingling moment for me and no doubt for her owner and for her breeder.
When I judge, for the top awards I want to feel the excitement, of seeing such a good one, in my heart as well as in my head. As I walked around the Veteran bitch class, I was marvelling at how lovely they all were and then, there in the ring, the last one at the end of the line made me pull up sharply. The last one to be gone over on the table in this whole show, was Betty Boo and I melted. She did not disappoint on the table and it was difficult at this moment to maintain my composure as she still has it all and was so beautifully presented in top form. My notes on tape include “She is as perfect now as she was when a puppy.” That otter like head, with those keen dark eyes and good proportions and strong jaw while at the same time being refined, that workmanlike body, lithe and graceful but purposeful. The best of blue and tan jackets with excellent “ticking” and her thick, pliable pelt. She is so easy to span now, as she was as a puppy. From her previous critique, the same comments still apply as she has reached maturity – a lovely straight, narrow front, moving so well both coming and going, moving round the ring like she owned it, which she actually did today. She has the star quality, while being an honest, workmanlike bitch. She has all the necessary essentials for a working terrier, with a good narrow front, lovely shaped rib, carried well back and was easily spanned. She has a good topline and excellent length of body, topped off by a good tail, well set on. Thank you for letting me have the pleasure of going over her again and to see that she fulfilled her early promise, given that I now understand this is her 17th CC – well done!