Meadowleigh Turn Back Time

Owner : MEADOWLEIGH LABRADORS Breed : Labrador Retriever
Location : Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire
Birthdate : 8th January 2021
Colour : Chocolate
Health Tested ⓘ

Welcome to our latest addition, chocolate Esme who arrived safely with her sister Maisie and five chocolate brothers on January 8th 2021 followed by one black brother Barney...4 hours later!

Her sire is GB Sh Ch/Irish Sh Ch Naiken Elite Envoy aka 'Envy' (AI) JW & Irish Junior Champion.
Envy' is a SHOW CHAMPION and at the time of writing, he has been awarded his IRISH SHOW CHAMPION status as well as an incredible 14th CC.

Congratulations to a stunning dog with fabulous movement and a the most lovely biddable temperament.

Esme's mum is our 'Nessa'...Meadowleigh Black In Style who is our very special girl because her father is the late famed chocolate Champion.. Meadowleigh Brown Sugar SWGC (Show Working Gundog Certificate) aka Wes, who we bred ...

Nessa has been awarded her KC STUD BOOK NUMBER.
Wes's mother's memory ..'Ruby' chocolate Meadowleigh Mariella, lives on in Esme, who is her GG Grandaughter 💕

We have had some super show results since Esme first made her debut in the ring...She first qualified for Crufts 2022 at 6.5 months by winning a quality Minor Puppy Bitch Class at Paignton Championship Show in August 2021 which was a great thrill.
She has continued to qualify for Crufts in big classes at the top level for 22/23 & 24

In her first year, in August 22, Esme was Very Highly Commended at the Labrador Club of Wales Champ Show despite behaving like a box of frogs by continuing to stick her tongue out when the judge only wanted to check her teeth!

She also won another fab 2nd place Crufts qualifier in October, in a big class of lovely older puppies, at the Gundog Society of Wales Championship Show.
In between, she has been awarded Best Puppy in Breed top spots at Open Shows with a Gundog Puppy Group 2 and Group 3 placings.

Esme is an exuberant character, as bright as a button, just loves everyone and other dogs.
She sneaks up onto the sofa when we are not looking and like Nessa, her mum, she loves retrieving cushions!

At the tender age of 10 months, there were no big hikes or gallops but just enjoyment, exploring the fields and lanes around us...mostly in the company of Martin and myself and also with her late Great Grandma 'Roma"...M Romantica, who was at that time, approaching 11 years and always very good natured and tolerant.
She seemed to have a nice calming effect on Esme's teasing antics.

So very sadly, Roma passed over to Rainbow Bridge on February 6th 2024 and she is hugely missed but her legacy will live on in daughter Maya, Gdaughter Nessa & GGdaughter Esme
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Please watch this space for further news and updates..

It's now June 24 & since our last update, Esme has continued to settle & win well in her classes at all her Open & Championship shows.
In fact, she has never been unplaced!

She was awarded her KC STUD BOOK NUMBER at WELKS Championship show in APRIL THIS YEAR which is hugely gratifying as she is now qualified for Crufts for 'Life'
Being awarded a Kennel Club SBN (only in certain classes) represents an acknowledgement from the judge of a stamp of quality for your dog.

Here are just a few of Esme's show critiques mentioned above...
There are now too many to mention & we are delighted with her endearing ways, good nature & wisdom & with how she has matured into a beautiful example of the breed.

PAIGNTON CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW - August 2021
Nicely constructed chocolate with a balanced outline. Attractive feminine head with an intelligent expression.
Correct ears set and a nice flow of neck into the withers.
Good forehand construction with strong bone. Mature body for her tender age. Moved well on balanced lines.
Jim Richardson (Judge)
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SALISBURY & DISTRICT CANINE SOCIETY
October 2021
A lovely well proportioned chocolate bitch with a lovely head and correct eye colour. Good neck into level topline and otter tail, good angulations and stifle, she stood well and was shown in good coat. Moved out well.
BEST PUPPY - Julie Wallace - Judge
(Tiaja Labradors)
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POOLE CANINE CLUB PREMIER OPEN SHOW - 26th September 2021
7 month old young chocolate bitch with a feminine head and broad skull, neck muscular and clean, forequarters straight with good bone, deep chest, good spring of rib, typical otter shaped tail, angles correct front and rear, she moved well. Super temperament and sure to have a bright future.
BEST PUPPY & PUPPY GROUP 3
Roger Perkins - Judge
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The following report was from our Group Judge at Poole on the day - Mrs JANE EYEINGTON (Meadowdale)

A well balanced 7 month old chocolate bitch, she has strength and bone but not overdone. Shapely yet workmanlike in her outline with good width to the backskull, toning eye and strength to her foreface. Strong and muscular neck, well laid shoulders, deep in body with the desired barrel rib, wide quarters, which she put to good use on the move,showing to be positive and true. Presented with a good double coat.
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GUNDOG SOCIETY OF WALES CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW - 13th October 2021

I liked this choc very much, just preferred the head on my winner. She is very nicely put together, has correct eye colour and pigment complimenting her super double coat that has the correct feel to it.
She has a clean neck with good front angulation, compact body, level topline with good tail carriage, moved steadily & free
Ginette Oulton - Judge
(Oulsmi Labradors)

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At 12 months exactly & at Esme's final show in a Puppy Class, she won at
the WEST OF ENGLAND LABRADOR RETRIEVER OPEN on 8th January 22
Our Breed Judge, Elaine Grummitt (Manorwell) awarded her 1st & wrote:

'A well made chocolate with good pigmentation, excellent forechest and shoulder placement, well sprung ribs for a puppy, a strong level topline and the correct turn of stifle.
Lovely tight feet and in super coat.
Moved very well
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March 27th 22, took us to Bridgewater & District Open Show where there were 19 entries and Martyn Sanders
(Castellcoch) was our Judge.
We were delighted when Esme won a very worthy Junior Class and was awarded Best of Breed over her mum, Nessa who had won the Open Class!
Nessa went Reserve Best of Breed.
Very well done to Mum & Daughter and thank you to Becca Mills for handling Esme in the challenge.

Judges Critique:
Meadowleigh Turn Back Time
Chocolate, correct for overall breed type, feminine in head which has correct proportions. Eye colour and pigment correct with good dentition. Good strength in neck which flows into a clean front assembly. Plenty in rib which is well sprung & which leads to a firm loin.
Top line & tailset good which leads to a well set otter tail.
She stands on strong bone & compact feet. Presented in sparkling form with the desired double coat whilst using herself to good advantage on the move out & back.
BEST OF BREED
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