Chime, as she was affectionately known, recently passed away after a very brief and sudden illness, just short of her fourteenth birthday. Her last outing in the ring was at the BGSC championship show last year under Meriel Hathaway, where she trotted around the ring gracefully at the age of thirteen taking Best Vintage in Show.
Pete & Chris Sandiford imported Chime after looking at some of her progeny in the USA and being offered the dam instead! Although she didn’t make her debut in this country until almost six years old she was the first ever American bred Gordon Setter to gain both U.S. and U.K. titles. She was also the first ever bitch from either country to do so. Chime qualified twice for the Pedigree Masterfoods Veteran Stakes Final.
She had only one litter after being imported. A Chime daughter (Sh Ch & Am Ch Hernwood California Girl) gained fifteen CCs, several BOBs, and a championship show Group 1 and Group 4. Her daughter also qualified twice for the Pedigree Masterfoods Champion Stakes Final taking the Runner Up spot one year behind a dog destined to go onto Crufts BIS. Two other dogs from this litter have been campaigned successfully one also gaining a Group 4. However, it is the legacy Chime leaves that will perhaps over the years become a more poignant reminder of her superb conformation, temperament and enthusiasm for the show ring.
A Chime grandson (Hernwood Talladega Racer) already has one CC, BOB and Group 1. Another grandson (Hernwood Diamond Rock) has one CC, BOB and a Group 2. Both these boys were also the first Gordon Setters to qualify for the Pro Plan Pup of the Year Finals 2009. A granddaughter has one CC from the BGSC championship show (Hernwood Indi Girl at Togipoto). Another granddaughter (Hernwood Magic Formula) has been exported back to the U.S. where she has already gained two four point majors, one BOB and a Group 2. More remarkable still is these four are all from the same litter! Another Chime granddaughter (Hernwood Diamond Rose) has a CC and several RCCs.
The fondest memory, and one that will endure for Pete & Chris, is overhearing someone ringside at one show remark “that is the best moving Gordon Setter I have ever seen”. As they walked away, as no one knew who they were, out of curiosity an exhibitor tracked them down some twenty yards from the ring to enquire who they were. “I’m your Crufts Best in Show judge this year” was the reply. A fitting tribute indeed to a truly remarkable Gordon Setter.
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