19th January 2024

Just in case you missed the announcement concerning the scheduling of “Official Baby Puppy Classes” by our RKC. This recent change to Show Regulations now allows these classes at Breed Club shows . These are for dogs of 4 months and less than 6 months old. It is hoped that it will create more opportunities for training and socialisation in young dogs and could lead to an increase in entries.
The full regulation F(1)26.g is shown below and is available on the RKC website and later in the revised F1 Show Regulation Booklet and also on the Collielife web pages
A Baby Puppy is a dog of four and less than six calendar months of age on the first day of the show.
(a) Baby Puppy classes may be scheduled at any breed club show
(b) Any Variety Baby Puppy classes may be scheduled at any breed club show
(c) Best Baby Puppy in Breed may be declared in each breed from the dogs entered in the Baby Puppy breed classes. There must be no progression to further competition

Therefore, with this in mind, the forward-thinking Committee and Secretary of the Midland Collie Club applied to the RKC and have been granted permission to hold these at their forthcoming Ch show,(February 10th)  although the schedule for this had already been published, but are allowed to convert their previously scheduled Puppy Walk classes to Baby Puppy Classes. The result of this means that these classes will be judged prior to the actual breed classes by Karen Colman-Smith at 10am. All entrants will receive a rosette and a “toy” and the overall winner may be declared as Best Baby Puppy In Show.

The main event of the weekend was the Rough Collie of The Year (RCOTY) hosted as usual by British Collie Club at the Nottingham Belfry. Run on similar lines to the EACA Collie of The Year, this contest is by invitation only to CC winners, RCC winners, Best Veteran In Breed and Best Puppy In Breed at Championship shows throughout the year (2023).  The published judges were Mrs Christina Chapman (Bukris); Mrs Brenda Cooney (Lingwell) and Mrs Caz Waterhouse (Lynmead). However at the last moment, Christina had to be replaced and Mr Keith Derry from Pontefract was appointed as her replacement. The BCC also offers all entrants a named rosette and diploma for all entrants, Commemorative Sashes for RCOTY; Veteran of the Year and Junior of the year plus rosettes for placings 1st to 4th in each section. Along with these awards, BCC donated rosettes to any new Champion, owned by a member who gained their title during 2023 and these were: Ch Paulara No Where Man, Ch Arklethill Delilah at Ileyda JW and Ch Takhisis Dream Weaver. Overall this event was sponsored by Royal Canin, to whom the club offer their grateful thanks.
The day started with the Junior Collie of the Year with 14 entries and 6 absent,  and a nice touch, one Committee Member, who had qualified her dogs for this event, actually entered with a Complimentary entry, although others did not!
It was nearly a clean sweep for the Gataj kennel of Melisa Lockyer with Junior of the year being awarded to Very Special Angel Silvestre at Gataj (Imp Bel) taking the title.  2nd went to Gataj Turn Back Time whilst 3rd went to Gataj All That Sparkles. In 4th place was Sue Hawkins and her Brilyn Shows The Difference.
Veteran of the Year followed, with just 9 entries, and again, a Complimentary entry of Ch Jopium Love Heart JW ShCm was included. Taking the title for 2023 was Telforth Sweet Dreams to Corisian JW for Jo Pat and Emma Brooker, Runner up Veteran was Sue Beare, with Jemspark Maid In Secret. 3rd to Jo White and her Ch Mejola Fate and Fortune ShCEx and in 4th was Gill Whittaker and her Aniesh Misty Blue Moon of Siluto.
Now to the main contest, starting with males, of which Sue Howard, Val Newton and Ann Patterson’s Ladnar Dreamchaser. R/Up went to No More Heroes du Clos de Sea-Wind JW (Imp Fra) for Rob & Margaret Shipp. 3rd was Ch Gataj Struck By Lightning and in 4th Chantique Magical Mystery for Charlene Turner.
For the ladies, heading the list was Jayne & Carl Llewellyn and Artzaiak Selina de Salsina, who won this, I think she already carries her Ch title but was not listed as such. R/U to her was Ch Beldones La Vita Bella for Hanvale JW and Hannah and Simon. In 3rd was Avonfair Secret Love Letter to Salsina, another for Jayne & Carl and in 4th place Dave & Sue Randal with Ladnar Inkspot.
In the “run off” for Rough Collie of the Year, the final 4 were Ch Artzaiak Selina de Salsina, R/U Ch Beldones La Vita Bella, 3rd to Ladnar Dreamchaser and finally No More Heroes du Clos de Sea-Wind.
Having spent much time watching judging, many who were staying over, slipped back to their rooms for a quick change prior to the evening meal and prepared for an evening of celebrations and dancing. For those who took part in both the morning and evening quiz, I am told both  sessions were won by Team Colliewobbles who also included Tracy Wilkinson and friends,  subjects included General Knowledge and Music knowledge – well done to all involved
Finally, a delayed message from Lorraine Quince to advise of a few good wins she had with her Oakley Ice Queen for Karafaye where in late December she took BPIB/BOB from Kaye Whittingham and PG from Bridgette Bodle at Penrith & District Canine Society, then at Paisley & District CS, from Martin Sanders she brought home BPIB/BOB and PG2.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com