Hazel Hunt obituary

To many the name of Hazel Hunt (nee Collins) will resonate as being one of the stalwarts of our Breed, but many of you who have only recently been active may not be aware of the Influence, Knowledge and helpfulness of Hazel.
One of our more respected owner/breeder and judge that this breed has been fortunate in having. I for one, amongst many, will recall with fondness the contribution she made to the breed.
Her affix, originally was Rifflesee but due to an oversight, it had to be changed to the more recent version of Rifflesea of which many will recognise and will become a Protected Kennel Name for posterity
There are not enough pages to elaborate on her vast and many achievements which have been listed in previous publications both at home and abroad but only to say the collie world has lost an icon and will be the poorer for this as Hazel, who was in her 98th year, died in her sleep in a care home where she had been for a few years, she would have celebrated her birthday on February 4th and to all who knew her, we have lost so much knowledge and experience so I hope you will accept this, and other tributes to Hazel.
Hazel judged at nearly every club and general Ch show during her career and was well received abroad too. This also included an appointment in 1969 for Crufts where her winners were Ch Danvis Camanna Golden Sensation and Cheryldene Blue Lilac with both reserve CC’s being awarded to Susan and Shane of Skellvale. Later on, in 2001, she judged with Rainier Vuorinen from Finland and BOB was the exceptionally well-known blue merle record holder, Ch Phreelancer Phrosty Moon Over Corydon
Her kennel, started in the early 1950 period, was based on the Ladypark Lines of Phil Grey and produced winner after winner, so much so that many kennels including Dunsinane, Rokeby and Glenmist to name a few based their foundation stock on Rifflesee bred collies. Hazel moved with the times and as new lines emerged she was never one to “throw the baby out with the bath water” and if it worked, great, if not, she moved to another line. In all, there were numerous Champions holding the Rifflesee/Rifflesea name and many winners for others in the breed.  Always health conscious the majority of her stock were tested under the schemes available at the time remembering we are talking of the early 1960 period.
Not only was she a font of knowledge, she passed this on to those who were like-minded and also wrote a few books on the breed, the most popular being The Rough Collie, An Owner’s Companion and copies of this are still available and probably many sitting on your shelf as you read this.
Hazel’s administrative skills were put to use early in her career as she was a Founder Member of the new West of England Collie Society formed in 1949 and in 1953 took over the position of Club Secretary. The WECS was very dear to Hazel and along with CCW when breed rotation affected both clubs they worked together, along with the RCBC to return CC’s to both clubs.
More recently, although it was some time back in 1987, an association with the di Cambiano kennel of Maria-Teresa Garabelli resulted in the importation of a particular blue merle male. He was Int Ch and UK Ch Incredibly Blu di Cambiano and he was campaigned by Hazel to his title and a few discerning breeders made use of his stay in the UK.  In 2018,  his son, Int Ch Extraordinary Blu do Cambiano, Piaf, to his friends started a similar journey and also went to visit Hazel with his son and handler, Valerie Geddes. I understand that this made Hazel’s day and there are photos to show how delighted Hazel was to meet Blu Blu offspring
The late Pam Cornish (nee Derrick) was just one recipient of Hazel’s kindness and knowledge and with her help, Pam worked through from Committee member at WECS to being invited to be a partner in the Rifflesea affix and a judge.
Other tributes to Hazel will be published shortly

The funeral will be held at Canford Crematorium, Canford Lane, Westbury on Trym, Bristol, BS9 3PQ , at 12 noon on Thursday 15th. February.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com