Firstly, I am sure you will all wish to congratulate on of our younger handlers on their great win over the weekend. Joanne Leese has a son, Henry, who has taken like a “duck to water” to handling with his charge, known at home as Toby, but is in fact Essenjay Fields of Gold for Firesaga.   Henry and Toby took 1st place in the 6 – 11-year Junior Handling Association (Pastoral) group, held at NWPBDS and thus qualified for the handling finals. His critique, by the judge is good, just a few pointers for him to improve and as a breed, we should all be encouraging new people. Well done to you both.

Many congratulations to Hanvale Ralph Lauren and his "new to the show ring" owners, Steve, who started out purely as the Chauffer to wife Almy and son Harrison Toogood He won BOB, BPG1 finally Best In Show at Dorset County Canine Society Show, the day following NWPB, the judges concerned were Steve Broadhead (Breed, who also judged 5 classes of Shetland Sheepdogs); Debbie Fenn for Group and finally Jenny Miller who gave him BIS. Well done to all concerned and great to be able to write up a good win for our breed.
More news from Alex Mills, who went to the recent Vale of Clwyd Open show. Judging all Breeds/Group and BIS was Russell Mosedale and from an entry of just 5 collies (details sent very kindly by Denis Beardsworth (Maysinder), Hanvale Edina Monsoon at Lemivee annexed BOB, PG1 and RBIS. Other winners here included Essenjay Heartbreaker who was BPIB and Sue Hawkins with Brilyn Shows The Difference who won Open. As you can imagine, Alex is thrilled as it is not long since she gained a RBPIS.
National Working & Pastoral Breeds is classed as a “Sub-Group” Ch show and schedules nearly all the RKC breeds in both the Pastoral and Working Groups. Held as usual at Malvern, in reasonable weather, our breed had another first-time judge (6th so far this year with more to come) in Ms Allyson King, based in Derbyshire.
The entry was a good 86 but as usual the normal amount of absentees were recorded but at the end of the day, as far as I can find, apart from the Puppy Group short-listing and a very creditable 4th place in the Special Beginners Group, and 3rd in the Puppy Stakes, we do have another new Champion to add to our listing and another 1st time CC winner along with a delighted owner letting me know that the last points for a JW were gained on the day.
Our new Champion is the first to gain a title under the new ruling issued by the RKC, so her owner, Vanessa Cronk informs me. This is Skabona If I Saw you in Heaven for Chelborn, bred in Sweden by Natalia Skalin (who also celebrated some good wins, abroad, on the same day), known at home as Erica, she has won nearly all her entered classes, her 2nd CC today along with previous wins of 6 RCC’s all since her 2024 debut at Manchester this year . Sired by Rising Light Scotland Yard (Ch Skabona The Gambler at Chelborn ex Rising Light New Made Kiss) out of Skabona Knocking On Heaven’s Door (Ch Chelborn Kiss’n’Tell ex Impressive Lady Fantazija) She was handled by Isaac again today for Vanessa and won from Limit. Taking the RBCC was Aaronwell Able Mabel, handled by I think, John Tipper but owned by John Congdon / Sue Hawkins and I think  Sue who also won Open with their dual CC winning Riverside Song Desiderata at Aaronwell.  Best Puppy bitch was Gataj Exotic Girl, who also went BPIB and short-listed in the puppy group by Mel Raymond. Other class winners for the ladies, included:  Lorraine Morey and Brookynut Pepperoncini; Jo Hodges with Unusual Beauty Des Coquettes de Don Juan at Jopium; Brilyn Shows the Difference for Sue Hawkins; Di Ware won PG with Millubie Essence of Magic at Wassail and Rob Shipp won Veteran with his and Margaret’s Ch Gillyflower Della Buca Delle Fate.
Now to the boys, taking a first CC was Jo Hodges and her tricolour boy, Jopium Love on The Rocks. He won this from Limit. Sired by Jopium Danny Boy at Lingwell ex Jopium Loves to Sparkle with Meryctin and he was born in Oct 2022.
Again, the breed’s latest Ch (made up at the previous show) annexed the RDCC in the form of Ch Alfsden He Lives In You for owners Jan Milligan and Nigel Marley. His details were published previously. Winning MP was Sue Harris and Geosamka Loves to Love; Jo White won both PD and Junior with Mejola Top Gun who then was also entered in the Puppy Stakes and won 3rd  place (with Prize Money) under Kevin Young. . A lovely phone call from the “Toogood” family to let me know that having won Yearling and Spl Beginners’ D/B that their Hanvale Ralph Lauren now has his JW although he had been beaten in a previous class and was not in the challenge. Jill Kelly won Graduate with Pelido Invictus; Vanessa won PG with Chelborn’s Gambling List and Marianne won Veteran with Ch Brooklynson El Dorado.
BOB went to Jo and her tri boy, BPIB to Melissa, Best Veteran to Rob & Margaret with Gillyflower and Best Spl Beginners to Ralph Lauren who gained 4th place from Lynne Salt (Woodlyn)

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com