31st May 2024

Firstly, many apologies to Chantal and Andre Scott, as I obviously had not checked records when I stated that their lovely sable lady who won the CC at the recent Scottish Collie Ch Show, that this was, in fact her 2nd CC. The first coming from John Catliff at London Collie and Ayra, as Chantique Déjà vu is known at home now has 2 CC’s and about 4 Rcc wins to her name.

Now Bank Holiday weekend and many of the usual suspects had packed their bags, checked their passports, some had groomed dogs and all set off for their annual visit to the famous ENE Collie exhibition, held in France. Hopefully I will have a complete report on the event but only to say that one of the judges was our own Brian Hawkins. More news later

Others who stayed in the UK travelled to Bath, Yorkshire and Scotland for a Ch show or 2 Club Open shows.
At Bath, where the show ground and organisation is second to none, one of my favourite and more local shows it was good to see a local person centre stage although judging had to wait as we were second in the ring.

We had another first-time judge, Russell Jones, perhaps known better for his top winning OES under the Quemerford affix.
From an entry of 24 males and 36 ladies, we ended the day with 2 new gentleman taking top honours, a new first time CC winner and another who collected yet another RCC to add to her wins.

The first class was Veteran with another fairly local exhibitor, Ann Page bringing our her now 11-year-old Lynmead Amalie Let Me Go, know to all as Harry to win. Melissa won MP with Salsina’s Red Hot Crush with Gataj, Jo White took both Puppy and Junior with Maverick, Alia Mejola Top Gun. Trevor Perrot stood alone in Yearling with his Gataj Lightning Flash who was then beaten in Novice by Hanvale Ralph Lauren for Mr & Mrs Toogoog. Sue Howard and Ladnar Dreamchaser won PG for her and Val Newton & Ann Paterson. Vanessa won Limit with Chelborn’s Gambling List and Open was also won by her with Chelborn That’ll Do. The mixed Special Beginners class was won by Hanvale Edina Monsoon with little brother Hanvale Ralph Lauren in 2nd.
The CC went to Maverick, Mejola Top Gun, who is a sable, owned and bred by Jo White. Sired by Corydon The Ringmaster out of Mejola Special Reserve and he was born in July 2023. Taking the RDCC was another youngster, Salsina’s Red Hot Crush with Gataj for Melissa.

Sue Beare won Veteran with her Jemspark Maid In Secret; Stefani Flower won MP with Serenlas Truly Scrumptious whilst Hanvale Edina Monsoon at Lemivee won Puppy for Alex Mills. Junior went to Vanessa and Skabona If I Saw You In Heaven or Chelborn.
Novice went to Alexis Swain and A Touch of Blaze for Lexcol and Di Ware came back out with her Millubie Essence of Magic at Wassail to win PG and won Limit with her Wassail Call The Midwife handled by Jake Walsh. Open went to Melissa and Gataj Good Time Girl
The CC, her first following a couple of RBCC wins went to Vanessa and Skabona If I saw You In Heaven, handled by Isaac Preddy in the class and CC challenge, although Vanessa did take her into the group.

Melissa won the RBCC, her Keeley, Gataj Good Time Girl now has 2 CC’s and 5 Rcc wins to her name.

BOB went to Vanessa, Best Puppy to Maverick and Best Veteran to Harry, although he was not able to represent us in the group as taking stuff back to the car, Ann and her husband discovered a very, very flat tyre and subsequently had to wait for recovery. Another suffering car issues were Julie Growcott and Linda Gautrey who had experienced issues down to the show and very nearly got it fixed but did leave the showground fairly late and tired.

I did notice, and also offer thanks to Sophie Wray-Ramsden that having been transferred to Open, from Novice, with her Takhisis Daggers at Dawn (Monty_ for which he was over qualified), Sophie contacted the Secretary and stayed in her AGE class, puppy, and was also transferred to Open where he actually gained his KCSB No, although he did win a Green Star prior to entries closing.

If only people would try and understand the definition of classes, read the rules, as I pointed out last week, this is now becoming far too frequent!

Next day, Saturday, saw the Yorkshire Collie Club Open show and so nice to hear that fairly local exhibitor, Angela Harvey (Wicani) was feeling better and was able to attend and show her dogs
The judge for this event was Jo Denton, who has the Brackenhaye Smooth Collies whilst the judge for the smooth class was Sue Hawkins (Brilyn) and SAC classes were Steven Webb (Shadowpark) with Rod Slater BIS

The entry was just 39 roughs and 9 smooths but well filled SAC classes for both Rough and Smooth, judged by Stephen had the following class winners: Shulune Imperial Inkheart with Casatentola took P D/B; Post Grad was Siluto Blueberry Mist and Open to one of the breed’s latest Champion, Phreelancer Chill Phactor for Elshajo.

Taking BD was non-other than Pedro & Marianne Benton who won Veteran, with Angela’s Afterglow Invocation in reserve. BPD was Takhisis Daggers at Dawn. In bitches, topping the charts was the Graduate winner, Denis & Mary Beardsworth and Maysinder Sapphire Reign with GB CH Serenlas Angel of Casatentola for Georgina Howard.
BOB and BIS went to Marianne & Pedro, although he had to challenge Angela Harvey and Wicani Enraptured for BVIS. BPIS was between Sophie and Monty and Di Collino’s Imaginist My Fair Lady.

If I receive a marked catalogue, obviously I will fill in a few missing details but at the time of writing this is not to hand

The following day, Ayrshire Collie held their club Open show with Ann French, Breckamore Smooth Collies in charge with a similar entry of 37 as YCC with 11 males and 19 ladies present. Many thanks to Morag McCarte, secretary who sent down a full copy of the show catalogue, this is very much appreciated Thank you

The first class was a mixed Veteran, with the only entrant being Wilmaranna Out of the Blue for Cathbri and Cathy Proctor who was obviously BVD. Puppy dog followed with Starlenga All About Majic for Corisian and Jo Brooker winning, beating Michelle Mitchell and Avonfair Aloysius who then went on to win Junior. Crawford Taylor won PG with Thistlewing Fire Dancer at Bryany. Jo Hodges won the next class with Jopium Love On The Rocks and Thistlewing Smokey Quarts took Limit and Jo handled Corisian Parisian Magic to win Open and BD. RBD went to Jo and her tri boy.
Minor Puppy Bitch went to Thistlewing Gold Mist and Puppy and Junior went to Jo Hodges with her blue lady, Unusual Beauty des Coquettes de Don Juan at Jopium. Michelle and Avonfair A Million Dreams won Junior, having been 2nd in her previous class. Yearling went to Roughrigg Ragnfrid for Joan Barr. Karen Johnson took Graduate with her sable, Sea Dreamers Gracy Love at Geosamka. PG went to Chantique Sugar Moon for Mary Hobkirk and Michelle won Limit with Avonfair A Million Lovesong. Open was Lorraine Quince and her Thistlewing Celtic Soul for Karafaye who then won BB. RBB was Jo and her blue merle.
BB and BIS went to Lorraine, RBIS and BPIS to Jo and BVIS to Cathy Proctor’s blue boy.

Jackie Pritchard (Santaviga) judged some well filled SAC classes with her winners being: Avonfair A Million Dreams; Opernball at Intermittent Lake and Thistlewing Celtic Soul for Karafaye
Other class winners were: Special Tri or Blue with Oakley Ice Queen at Karafaye and Puppy Walk class went to Roughrigg Rags N Riches.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com