2021 REVIEW

2021 was yet another year that some would prefer not to recall but for others it signified quite a few milestones – let me try to explain.
We started the New Year still under Covid rules and restrictions. For many, the loss of numerous family, friends and stalwarts of our breed made it very poignant and getting to the end of another year was not easy.

 People were beginning to wonder if our hobby, as such, would ever recover. There were those who took advantage of the situation and prices for puppies increased to those never seen before and there became a shortage of dogs, not just our breed, but others too.

We were still having “On-Line” shows, with “Virtual CC’s” being awarded by some groups but our only weekly dog paper, Our Dogs, also organised On Line shows too, which were very well supported and winners included Dora Richter (Scottlyme in Belgium) who gained not only a BIS back in December 2020 with her photo of Ch Scottlyme I’m Your Man, from Group Judge Gary Gray and BIS from non-other than Mt Tony Allcock MBE, KC Chairman. Dora, along with a few UK exhibitors, also submitted photos and won places. Some of her wins were: 2nd in Pastoral Group with Ch Scottlyme Demoiselle, Taking 1st, 3rd and 4th in a Veteran class, numerous Puppy places and Virtual Grand Challenge Certificates with 2 other of her dogs’ photos. That must have made up for her, along with many of us here in the UK being unable to actually participate in a REAL dog show.

Also via social media, many came together on Thursday evenings and joined in live transmissions from the “Bunker” at the OD offices with Vince Hogan (and a few others) for updates on all things canine and as the saying became “what could go wrong?” Wi-Fi connections were lost or intermittent which only made the companionship of like minded dog folk even more fun as some wonderful prizes were on offer, donated by many organisations that were unable to attend actual shows. To Vince and company, thanks so much as you kept many of us “sane”, to a degree!

Also into our vocabulary were words we had not come across on a regular basis, such as “Teams, Zoom, Skype and Messenger Chat” All these media systems were used by many forward thinking clubs to keep everyone up to date with the changes in our dog world. Changes there were, as after 25 years of service, the Rough Collie Breed Council had to find a new Secretary as Duna Jones, who had worked tirelessly for the RCBC stood down along with the current Chairman, David Crapper. A vote was put out to all the Clubs/Delegates and the RCBC now has Miranda Blake as Secretary and Carole Smedley as Chairman. A few breed clubs also had changes to their Officers and Committee, including the British, as Duna also stood down from her position as Secretary, as did Cate Arrowsmith of London & Provincial and Irene Green of Ayrshire. We wish all the new incumbents good luck in their new roles.

More changes were announced, by the KC, towards the end of the year, concerning Stud Book Bands for 2022, implementation from 1st January 2022 and effective until 31/12/2025 with revision in 2026. Also included in this press release were the New Judging Tiers and numbers required for all judges either going through the “Traditional Route” or via the JEP route before awarding a CC.

Dealing with the Stud Book Bands firstly, our breed can now obtain a KCSB by winning 1st/2nd or 3rd from the Open Class, 1st in Limit with the addition of 2nd and 3rd places as we are now listed in Stud Book Band E (moved from D)

This means perhaps many more deserving collies could easier obtain their KCSB, with, of course the winning of a Reserve CC and a Challenge Certificate included as previously!

Now to the Judging Tiers.  Collies (Rough) are classed in Tier 4. The numbers required for the Traditional Route are now 120, present and judged. Those who choose to go through via the JEP need only 60 dogs, present and judged. Along with all the requirements of attendance at Seminars/BAD/Stewarding etc which hopefully, will give those judges a much more rounded Breed Education/Knowledge.

There is a complete list of those occasions that judging numbers “can or cannot be used”  If in doubt please check with your Breed Club or BEC or contact the KC direct on sass@thekennelclub.org.uk   Both systems will be running in “Tandem” for a while so those partially through the Traditional Route will have little to concern themselves about whilst those going via the JEP will have the advantage of knowing they have completed various aspects covering most aspects of the Show World.
Our Breed BEC (Breed Education Co-Coordinator) Carole Smedley was also busy during this time, collating many new applications for those wishing to progress to judging via the JEP (Judges Education Programme) and it is good news that a few of our Breed Clubs are planning to hold BAD/MCE  (Breed Appreciation Days and Multi-Choice Examination) for 2022. It is also a KC requirement that ALL CLUBS hold one every 2 years, (these can be held jointly) and clubs are encouraged to organise such events.

One casualty of the year was Crufts and one has to feel for all concerned, be it exhibitor, officials or judges as some may never get the chance again to officiate and some dogs, well deserving of their qualifications have missed out.

It was not too long before the evenings got longer and murmurings were abounding concerning holding shows, albeit under strict rules and regulations. The first General Championship show was held by Southern Counties at Newbury and our first Club show was at East Anglian Collie Association at Littleport, and what a boost it was to all. On behalf of us all, great thanks were offered to these societies for taking the “plunge” and organising events.

In all, by the year end (which currently did not look promising) there were a total of 33 Championships shows held with 47 judges officiating. Of these 47, just 1 judged twice in the year, and there were 11 new names to be added to our ever growing list of approved Judges. A few were “Breed Specialists” but the majority were those, with an interest in our breed, but Roughs were not their first breed. It will be interesting to see how many of these gain second appointments as currently we do have over 220 previously approved judges and many many more still waiting in the wings for their appointments.

The result of these shows was quite interesting with varied entries, ranging from low  40’s to 130 but also at many shows there were slightly more absentees than before which was understandable in the circumstances. Quite a few Clubs decided to hold 2 Ch shows (using up their 2020 CC allocation) and also a few joined in with a general Ch show but in many cases, although in theory it appeared to be a good idea, in practice, although the overall entry was slightly higher than normal, it did make an extremely long day, especially for those with a long journey home. However, for a few, having 2 sets of CC’s in one day was very rewarding as quite a few awards were repeated at the end of both show days!

We ended 2021 with 18 new champions! Quite a record considering many exhibitors must have spent much time and money travelling all around the countryside to attend.

Melissa Lockyer won the first CC of the year, had a truly memorable year making up not only her first ever Champion (along with a 2nd) but also ended the year by winning the last major award of the RBCC – one year I am sure she and all at Gataj will recall fondly!

A few collies, returned to the show ring,  hunting for  that final and qualifying CC to give them access to the “Upper House” including: Beldones Blue Echo for Brian and Odile;  Mejola Fate & Fortune for Jo White; Peblu Gold Desire for Grenville Francis and Tiganlea Tone Down for John & Caroline Tipper.
There were a few collies who gained their titles by winning all 3 CC’s (and a few more) in 2021: Ladnar Mustriharder for Sue & Dave Randall, Oakland’s Blue Style du Clos de Sea-Wind at Zolkhan for Michelle McCann, Paradise Girl du Clos de Sea-Wind for Gataj for Melissa Lockyer, Samhaven Ballahanna Banjo for Alison Grainger, Skabona The Gambler at Chelborn for Vanessa Cronk, Int Ch Tiganlea Make Good Time for Monika Bardos (handled by John Tipper, her co breeder with wife Caroline) and Tiganlea Turning Blue, also for John & Caroline.

Those collies that had won in previous years and gained a new title include:
Brooklynson Jayne Russell of Oakestelle, who took 2 more during the year, for Marianne Benton. Miranda Blake won with Corydon Trump The Lot at 2 shows. Simon & Hannah annexed a further 2 with Hanvale Polly Shelby. Valerie Geddes also won 2 more with Ingledene Mercury Rising, whilst Jo Hodges won 5 CC’s with now Ch Jopium Love Heart JW ShCm. Taking 3 more and her title was Saganan Blue Diamond for Kate Arrowsmith and Gwen Beadon and Melissa Lockyer won 2 more with Takhisis Hopes and Dreams for Gataj.

Other new dual CC winners included: Jayne Llewellyn and her Artzaiak Selena de Salsina, Serenlas Obsession won for Stefani Flower as did Tiganlea Too Good To Be True for John & Caroline Tipper.

John Congdon continued to campaign his Ch Jugband Blues du Clos de Sea-Wind via Aaronwell to take a further 2 CCs in the year as did Karen McDevitt from Northern Ireland who won one with Caronlea Lukin’ Black. John & Caroline Tipper, breeders of Ch Tiganlea Tinkerbelle at Revdvicki, also won a further CC to add to her collection.

Single CC winners were: Brooklynson El Dorado for Marianne Benton; Vanessa Cronk with Chelborn Wish List; Duna Jones & Josh Blackburn with both Erjon Ebony Jewels and Erjon Evolving Star. Karafaye Scotch Blend at Thistlewing won his 2nd for Brenda Welsh; Ladnar Inkspot won for Dave & Sue Randall. Jayne Llewellyn took a single CC with Salsina Share The Love and Think of Me Prince of Sunlight at Gataj also won for Melissa Lockyer.
Quite a few collies managed to bring back home just a RCC, in dogs there was: Afterglow Invocation, Ballahanna All Bets Off, Barrenclough Diamond Dawn at Myjacks, Camanna Chasing Clouds Over Mejola, Camanna Clearwater and Camanna Codename. Chelborn That’ll Do, Corisian French Connection, Hanvale Arthur Shelby with Damos, Hawkfield’s Return to Sender To Joshren at Daliyhaa. Starlenga All That Jazz from Aaronwell, Tiganlea Task Master at Trenic and Tiganlea Twist and Turn. In all 13 males.

There were 18 ladies also winning, including Amalie Loves To Sizzle, Ch Antoc Soul Diva, Beldones Enable, Call Me A Dreamer In Blue for Ileyda Della Verde Scozia, Chantique Cinderella at Starlenga,  Erjon Exclusively Special, Gataj Girl’s Best Friend, Gillyflower Delle Buca Della Fate, Ingledene Sno Angel, Jopium Loves To Sparkle with Meryctin, Ladnar Inkheart, Lillyway Lemonade Blush, Samhaven Sister Sara with Ballahanna, Serenlas Heaven In Blu, Telforth Sweet Dreams to Corisian, Thistlewing Celtic Soul for Karafaye, Tiganlea Twinkling Star and Wicani Enraptured.

Melissa Lockyer, as mentioned previously had the thrill of making up her first Champion in the morning, with Paradise Girl du Clos de Sea-Wind at Gataj, bred in France and then in the afternoon made up her 2nd Champion in Takhisis Hopes and Dreams at Gataj, bred by Sophie Wray Ramsden, both times with BOB!. She also won a CC’ with Think of Me Prince of Sunlight at Gataj and her own home-bred Gataj Girl’s Best Friend took at RCC. Her wins of BPIB with both, Gataj Out of The Woods and Gataj Good Time Girl resulted in many BPIS at Club shows; along with a RBPIS All Breeds and her Gataj Out of The Woods taking a Pastoral Puppy Group 4 at all breed Ch show.

Now to our top winners for 2021, calculated purely on the number of CC’s, RCC BOB won and heading the ladies for top winning bitch is Ch Jopium Love Heart for Jo Hodges, who annexed not only 5 CC’s, along with 4 BOB and 4 RCC wins including 3 Rcc’s all won in Ireland to go with the 2 CC’s she won previously, bringing her total to 7CC’s.

Now to the Male, top winners: In dogs, Vanessa Cronk and her tricolour, Int Ch & Ch Skabona The Gambler at Chelborn (Imp Sweden) won 6 CC’s, 1 single RCC and 5 BOB, followed home by the sable, Ch Samhaven Ballahanna Banjo for Alison Grainger. He won 5 CC’s, a RCC and 4 BOB including 3 CC’s at the Irish weekend!

Foreign bred collies had another successful year in the UK show ring; mainly from the Clos de Sea-Wind kennel with a new Champion blue boy in Oakland’s Blue Style du Clos de Seawind at Zolkhan winning 3 CC’s and 2 rccs for Michelle McCann.  Paradise Girl du Clos de Sea-Wind at Gataj for Melissa with 3 CC’s and 2 reserves and finally, Ch Jugband Blues du Clos de Sea-Wind via Aaronwell for John Congdon, who won a further 2 CC’s and 4 reserves.
Other winners from abroad included Jayne Llewellyn and her Artzaiak Selena de Salsina from Spain winning 2 CC’s and a reserve, Gillyflower Delle Buca Della Fate from Italy for Rob & Margaret Shipp winning a RCC and another Italian raider was Call Me A Dreamer In Blue for Ileyda Della Verde Scozia for Daphne Iley who also won a reserve.

Ch Skabona The Gambler from Sweden won for Vanessa Cronk. Whilst raiders from both North and Southern Ireland took trips over on the ferry and also won. Grenville Francis made up  Peblu Gold Desire (1CC);  Liam Kelly and Samhaven Sister Sara with Ballahanna, although bred by Alison in the UK, won 2 rcc along with kennel mates Ballahanna All Bets Off (1rcc) and his brother, now based in England Ch Samhaven Ballahanna Banjo for Alison Grainger. Karen McDevitt won a CC with her Ch Caronlea Lukin ‘Black based in Northern Ireland, whilst Tom Wall in joint ownership of Alan Walsh, brought the tricolour, Hawkfield’s Return To Sender To Joshren at Daliyhaa, originally bred in Finland by Satu Haviniken, over to win a reserve CC.
Back in the UK, in alphabetical order, the following kennels also won with more than one collie.  The Beldones kennel of Brian and Odile made up a new blue boy in Ch Beldones Blue Echo and also annexed a reserve CC with Beldones Enable.

Although not currently exhibiting, the Brooklynson kennel of Steve & Alison Barret were responsible for 3 CC wins, all owned by Marianne Benton who made up Brooklynson Jayne Russell of Oakestelle and her partnership with Nick & Anne Smith with Brooklynson El Dorado also won a CC and a reserve.
Although they did not manage a “Big Green Card” in 2021, the Camanna kennel of Anne Hassock produced reserve CC winners for Jo White and Camanna Chasing Clouds Over Mejola; Camanna Clearwater and her own Camanna Codename.

Not content with owning Ch Skabona The Gambler at Chelborn, Vanessa Cronk also had winners in Chelborn Wish List who won a CC and the reserve CC winning Chelborn That’ll Do and, I think, was the only kennel to win both the Dog and Bitch CC, thus completing the double.

Duna Jones and Josh Blackburn certainly had some celebrating to do in 2021, as a house move, a new addition to the family and Josh handed out his first ever set of CC’s. Their own Erjon Ebony Jewels won a CC from puppy; Erjon Evolving Star collected a CC and 3 reserves as did Erjon Exclusively Special who brought home a reserve. Simon and Hannah Walder made up their first owner bred champion in Hanvale Polly Shelby who won 2 CC’s whilst her litter brother, Hanvale Arthur Shelby with Damos collected a reserve. Val & John Geddes had a quiet 2021, making up Ch Ingledene Mercury Rising who won 2 CC’s and 2 reserves whilst Ingledene Sno Angel won a reserve. Jo Hodges won 5 CC’s and 4 reserves with Ch Jopium Love Heart JW ShCm and her daughter, Jopium Loves to Sparkle with Meryctin also won a reserve. Lorraine Quince and Brenda Welsh have the Karafaye and Thistlewing collies and between them Thistlewing Celtic Soul for Karafaye who won a reserve CC and Karafaye Scotch Blend at Thistlewing won his 2nd CC. Ladnar collies brought back a new Champion in the tri boy, Ladnar Mustriharder, a CC with Ladnar Inkspot, whilst her dam, Ladnar Inkheart won a reserve CC. Jayne Llewellyn had a CC with Salsina Share the Love to go with the 2 CC’s and a reserve for her Artzaiak Selena de Salsina. Alison Grainger took time out from collecting CC’s with her St Bernard’s to show Samhaven Ballahanna Banjo to 5 CC’s whilst Samhaven Sister Sara for Ballahanna won 2 reserve CC’s for Liam Kelly, who also bred Banjo and his brother, Ballahanna All Bets Off who won a reserve, to his brother in Ireland. Stefani Flower had a good year, winning 2 CC’s with the veteran lady, Serenlas Obsession and her young blue girl, Serenlas Heaven In Blu, who brought home a reserve CC for her small kennel. The Scottish based Starlenga kennel had winners in both Chantique Cinderella at Starlenga and Starlenga All That Jazz for Aaronwell who won 3 reserve CC’s for John Congdon. Angela and Keith Harvey had 2 reserve CC winners for Wicani, in Wicani Enraptured and Afterglow Invocation who returned to the kennel, being bred by Jason Lynn. John and Caroline Tipper appeared to spend much of the show year travelling up and down motorways, selecting great places to stay overnight, when needed, and ended the year with 10 CC’s, 3 new champions, and 9 reserve CC wins and attended nearly every show available. Their Champions included, Ch Tiganlea Tone Down, a tricolour who won his final CC for his title. Int Ch/Hungarian Ch Tiganlea Make Good Time, although bred by them was in the ownership of good friend Monika Bardos in Hungary and she had 3 challenge certificates and 2 reserves. Another bred by them but always shown by John was Ch Tiganlea Tinkerbelle, now a Veteran who won a CC (her 12th) and a reserve for owner Rev Vikki Burrows. All their remaining winners included the first blue merle male to hold a title for the kennel in Ch Tiganlea Turning Blue who won 3 CC’s (2 in one day) and 3 reserves. Tiganlea Too Good To Be True also has 2 CC’s. Others winning just a reserve were: Tiganlea Task Master at Trenic, Tiganlea Twinkling Star and Tiganlea Twist and Turn. So, on this calculation, Tiganlea are Top Breeders for 2021.

Now to Top Stud Dog, based only on the number of progeny gaining CC’s, Ch status and reserve CC only.
Those in contention are, alphabetically, Ch Beldones Double Diamond, Erjon Ebony Joker, Erjon Excelebration, Honky Tonk Man of River Tweed, Jopium Stole My Heart at Lingwell, One Extraordinary Blu di Cambiano, Ch Samhaven Sound Track, Stonehaven Pride Golden Touch at Salsina, Ch Tiganlea Tone Down and Ch Tiganlea Too Good To Be Forgotten.

Brian and Odile have not had the best of show years, as suddenly losing their head kennel girl, Dawn, precluded them from attending as many shows as they would have preferred. Ch Beldones Double Diamond, (a sable by Eskimo des Beldones ex Diamond Dream des Beldones) sired the dual CC winning (now Ch) Hanvale Polly Shelby and her RCC winning brother, Hanvale Arthur Shelby with Damos, he also sired the reserve CC winning Gataj Girl’s Best Friend. Also at Beldones was Honky Tonk Man of River Tweed (another sable, Ch Samhaven Toast Marster ex Evanescent Love of River Tweed). He sired the dual CC winner, also now a Ch, in Takhisis Hopes and Dreams for Gataj along with Samhaven Sister Sara for Ballahanna who won 2 reserve CC’s.  However they did make up Ch Beldones Blue Echo, (Ch Samhaven On The Crest ex Salsina Black Lace at Beldones) who in turn sired the CC winning Ladnar Inkspot. Duna and Josh had 2 boys in their kennel siring winners, firstly Erjon Excelebration (Erjon Eyeopener ex Erjon Edged In Gold) who sired the CC winning Erjon Evolving Star who annexed a CC and 3 reserve CC’s. Along with Camanna Codename who also won 2 reserves. The other boy was Ch Erjon Ebony Joker whose 2 reserve CC winning offspring are:  Camanna Chasing Clouds Over Mejola and Erjon Exclusively Special.

Since moving to Scotland, attending shows for Jo Hodges now involves a much longer journey but Jopium Stole My Heart for Lingwell (Jopium Heart and Soul ex Jopium Velvet Touch) sired Ch Jopium Love Heart JW ShCm, winner of 5 CC’s and 4 reserves and also Lillyway Lemonade Blush.

Alison Grainger had a good year with both her Roughs and St Bernard’s, but her Ch Samhaven Sound Track (Ch Samhaven Justin Time ex Ch Samhaven Wired for Sound) sired Ch Samhaven Ballahanna Banjo, winner of 5 CC’s and 1 reserve whilst his brother Ballahanna All Bets Off took a single rcc. Jayne & Carl Llewellyn had quite a good year, as their Stonehaven Pride Golden Touch at Salsina (Scottlyme Midas Touch ex Born To Be PS I Love You) sired their Artzaiak Selena de Salsina who won 2 CC’s and a reserve and also the CC winning Salsina Share The Love. Ch Tiganlea Too Good To Be Forgotten (Ch Chantique Huggy Bear for Tiganlea ex Tiganlea Girl Talk) sired a new UK champion in Int Ch/Hung Ch Tiganlea Make Good Time, who won 3 CC’s and 2 reserves and Tiganlea Too Good To Be True who won just the 2 challenge certificates. Ch Tiganlea Tone Down (Two Tone for Tiganlea ex Hazelnut des Vergers de Iacchos), who won not only his Ch title, is also the sire of Ch Tiganlea Turning Blue, winner of 3 CC’s and 3 reserves but also Tiganlea Task Master at Trenic who won a single reserve CC. Bred by Maria-Teresa Garabelli, in Italy, Int Ch/Ch One Extraordinary Blu di Cambiano (Ch Steadwyn Blue Legend ex Ch Hitparade Blu di Cambiano) owned by Gianpaulo Falletto who now has him back home, but not before he sired a few litters before leaving these shores. With a total of 5 CC’s and a 3 reserves, his offspring included 2 new champions in Ch Ingledene Mercury Risin’ winner of 2 CC’s and 2 reserves, Ch Ladnar Mustriharder winner of 3 CC’s and the reserve CC winning Serenlas Heaven In Blu.

The Top Brood Bitch is a clear win for John & Caroline Tipper’s Hazelnut des Vergers de Iacchos (Imp France) Sired by Ch Tiganlea Best of Times at Rayawna ex Ella’s Song du Clos de Montamer, as she is the dam of the new Ch male, Tiganlea Tone Down, Tiganlea Too Good To Be True, litter sister, Ch & Int/Hung Champion Tiganlea Make Good Time and Ch Tiganlea Tinkerbelle at Revdvicki. She is the dam of a total of 4 different collies, winning a total of 7 CC’s and 3 reserve CC’s.
I have not recorded any BPIB or Veteran In Breed wins here, so apologies to all concerned but the Ladypark Trophy presented at the British will confirm their final positions. Perhaps someone would like to present a similar trophy for our Veterans as many of them have won both CC’s and RCC wins.

Apologies for anyone I have missed out – do let me know and I will rectify later.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)