Breed Notes
18th March

Another wonderful day for many at the recent Crufts, held on the first day, Thursday with an entry of 81 dogs for Merv Casling (Meranne) and 71 bitches for Miranda Blake (Corydon) An addition to our breed history was made when Miranda stepped into the ring, as Corydon with the Mother, (late Barbara who judged in 1998), Father John who judged in 2003 and today daughter,
Miranda have now judged here
Although the “Lynway” Clarke family have also achieved similar. With Mother, the late Ena (1992), her son the late, Alan in 2003 and then his wife, Doreen in 2017. Also there have been a few “husband and wife” judges, Peter and the late Lisa Burtenshaw (Pelido); Geoff and Pat Mildon
(Geoffdon); Kath and Alan Jeffries (Jefsfire); Joe and Nan Kirk (Cregagh); Sandra and Jack Wigglesworth (Sandiacre); Brian Hawkins, now with the Beldones affix judged in 2006 and Sue Hawkins (Brilyn) had the honour in 2017; Not forgetting Geoff Duffield (Angelfield) and wife, Gwen Beadon (Myriehewe) who judged in 2007 and 2015 respectively. Also along with Mother and Daughter, Aileen Speding and Carole Smedley (Antoc) who have managed 9 appointments across 4 breeds between them.

Again, at the end of the judging, it fell to call upon the Referee as neither judge could agree. This becoming quite the norm, as it happened in 2020 and in 2019, although the major award of BOB was agreed, the referee was still required for other awards. In 2017 their services were also required and on previous occasions too. Maybe it is due to the fact that our breed has had 2 judges appointed who have different views and interpretation of the Breed Standard. I was always taught to judge for the breeds to the CC, then, especially at such a prestigious show as Crufts, judge for the best representative for the Group. After all, it is the awarding of the CC that most arrive for!
Just before the results, many congratulations to one of our most well travelled exhibitors, Stacy Steven (Cambrogan) based in Glasgow. She brought with her 2 collies, both for the breed but the main reason for her attendance was the invitation to be part of David Alcorn’s Rapport Dog Show Training Team with Brooke, Cambrogan Blowin A Hoolie. They were in the Activity Ring in Hall 3, to show many on lookers what is required of a show dog in terms of personality and behavior. Well done to you both for promoting our breed! Brooke can be seen as part of the very very short clip on “YouTube” under Day 1 of Crufts – so get your autograph books ready!

Now to the results, of which I am sure you are all aware of. In bitches it was a 3 rd and crowning CC for Serenlas Obsession. Homebred by Stefani Flower she won the first class of the day, Veteran. Her other CC’s came from Anne Smith (Tentola) at EACA in 2021 and her 2 nd from Nick Smith (husband of Anne) at East of England. She is sired by Ch Ingledene Late Nite Legend out of Serenlas Mayd To
Walk in Sunshine and she was born in October 2013. This is the first Champion for the Serenlas kennel although they have bred a few CC winners and a memorable day for all concerned. Well done

The RBCC went to the winner of Minor Puppy, Mejola Main Event, born in June 2021. A sable, also homebred, owned by Jo White. She is sired by Corydon Winning Factor out of Mejola Main Attraction and she was also BPB. Other class winners included: Ladnar Izadorable, Puppy, for Dave & Sue Randall; Erjon Ebony Jewels (Junior) for Duna Jones and Josh Blackburn; Brian and Odile took Yearling with Beldones Magical Bliss. Post Grad came from Germany, for Mr Ingo Dahne with Izzy Aus Dem Orankegarten.

Mid Limitwas won by Serenlas Heaven In Blu for Stefani; Limit went to Melissa Lockyer and Gataj Girls Best Friend whilst Open was won by Natalia and Bo Skalin from Sweden with Lt Ch Skabona Snow Queen. Finally the last class of the day was Good Citizen with Uffspring Ultravox winning for Miss E Rose.

Now to the Dogs, judged by Merv Casling, (Meranne). He last judged at British Collie in 2020 when he also judged the males. From a lovely Veteran class of 15, Merv’s CC winner from British, Ch/Fr Ch Jugband Blues du Clos De Sea-Wind via Aaronwell and John Congdon won this class. Jive, as he is known at home is sired by Dazzle Blue Legend de la Chapelle aux Arbres out of Eclipse Total du Clos de Sea-Wind, bred in France by Mr & Mrs Mervant he was born in August 2014.

Following class winners were: Kourika You’ll Do For Me with Robin Blaikie; Corisian Parisian Magic for the Brooker family winning Puppy. Junior went Brian and Odile with Beldones Rocket Man.

Yearling was won by Charlene Turner and Chantique Magical Mystery. Post Grad went to Julie Edwards and Starlenga Harry Potter with Elshajo; Jane Spendelow won Mid Limit with Uffspring The Understudy. Melissa piloted her Gataj Struck By Lightning to win Limit and Ch Samhaven Ballahanna Banjo, owned by Alison Grainer but I think, handled by Gwen Beadon. Good Citizen went to Sophie Wray-Ramsden and Takhisis Dream Weaver.

Now to the challenge, and winning his 1 st CC, was Sonny, Chantique Magical Mystery. A sable, owned by Charlene Turner from Whitley Bay. Bred by Andre and Chantal Scott, sired by Ch Magical Moon of Lowlands Green Valley for Chantique out of Chantique Bewitched. He was handled by Charlene’s partner, Luis, Paulara Collies. If memory serves me correctly, this maybe the first major Crufts win for the Chantique kennel, but I am sure that either Andre or Chantal will correct me.

The Reserve CC went to Starlenga Harry Potter, supported by his breeders, the Walker/Ritchie family. He is owned by Julie Edwards and this is his 2 nd reserve CC this year. Sired by Starlenga Dizzy Rascal out of Izzy of Lowlands Green Valley for Corisian and he was born January 2018.

Best Puppy Dog went to Corisian Parisian Magic, who is also sired by Ch Magical Moon, and out of Paris Venise du Bois des Amazones for Corisian JW and owned by Pat, Jo and Emma Brooker, who, I think also travelled down with Luis and Charlene! So a great journey home for all concerned. To Mr Mrs D Thevenin, many congratulations as their Lowlands Green Valley breeding featured in
the main winners.

I arrived at ringside just in time to se the challenge for BOB, having been previously invited by the KC, to lunch (along with Prince Michael of Kent GCVO, who is the President of Crufts) beforepresenting the Trophy to the Pastoral Group Winner, a lovely young Border Collie.

As stated above, neither judge would/could agree and the Referee, Group Judge, Jeff Horswell (Drakesleat) was called. And his choice for BOB fell to Sonny, handled by Luis. Jeff’s services were also called for the remaining awards and at the end of judging, the sable boy was BOB, BPIB went to Jo White and Mejola Main Event and BVIB to John Congdon and Jive leaving the newly crowned Ch
sable bitch to enjoy the thrill of making her up and she is the 1 st New Champion for 2022.

However, before Luis and Sonny appeared in the group, the loan of a jacket and tie were required and a very smart pair represented our breed but did not feature.

Having looked at the marked catalogue, it is quite noticeable that some dogs were missing in their later classes, which, as we all should know, that unless there is a very good reason for absence (Illness or?) this is against KC Ruling and is a reportable offence. Just because you were not placed or not placed high enough in the first class, there is no official reason why you should be absent in your
following class – Please do remember that.

Sadly, I end these notes with the news of the passing of Ann Flint (Highnol). She had not been well for some time and died, in hospital on 11 th March. She had been admitted for surgery some 6 weeks ago but did not make a full recovery and passed in her sleep. To her family, John, Lisa, Stephen and Mark we extend our sympathies. The small Highnol kennel has had some winning roughs and if memory serves me correctly, Ann won the CC back in 1966 with her Corydon Cayoss (Moon Wizard at Corydon ex Corydon Moon Goddess) at Midland Counties. They also had Ch Vonarkle Sent from Heaven to Highnol, who won BOB from Derek Smith and the Group at Blackpool, amongst many winners, all of which are still being campaigned by Lisa.

Sadly, the family are still hoping for the return of the young sable bitch, Star, who has been missing (presumed possibly stolen, as she still had a lead attached), from the Langley Mill, Derbyshire area since February last year do please keep a look out if you see a new collie in your neighborhood, it could be her.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)