3rd May 2024

I was sad to read that Anita Emery, long time Committee member at WECS had recently died. Anita was the wife of the late Cliff Emery and between them they had the small kennel of Neetcliffs collies. The funeral will be held on Wednesday 15th May at 2pm at St. Mary's Church, Field Road, Huish, Episcopi, Langport, TA10 9QR.Followed by refreshments at The Langport Arms Hotel, Langport, TA10 9PD.The family have requested numbers for catering and if you wish to attend, please contact Phil Amos Tele. No. 01278 732569 or email amos994@btinternet.com ASAP.
Also, I had news from Margaret Shipp to let us know that their travelling companion, Paul Ross, (Samshernik) had a heart attack last Sunday and was taken to Bristol Hospital. He has received treatment and all being well it is hoped by the time you read this he may well be home and taking life easy. I am sure a card or message will do much to help his recovery, please contact either Margaret or Rob Shipp.
Following posts both seen and read on social media (may I remind all of you to be kind and not post anything against KC Rules etc), I have to remind some of the ruling concerning the WITH-HOLDING of awards. It would appear that many are not up to date.
The ruling clearly states: from the F1 (20) Show Regulation booklet
An award may be withheld if in the opinion of the judge there is lack of sufficient merit. The judge must mark on the judging slips that the award has been so withheld. The judge is not entitled to withhold an award for any other reason. When a judge withholds a third award for want of merit, the subsequent awards in that class must also be withheld.
This statement applies to ALL classes, regardless of a Qualifier or KCSB Entry class it is the prerogative of the Kennel Club to decide on Crufts qualifications or KCSB Numbers and NOT the Judge
As such it could be viewed as the judge is “protecting” the breed as ideally, only specimens as close to the Breed Standard should be awarded placings.
WELKS, supposedly the first outdoor show of the year, was actually held inside due to the re-seeding of the ground by the 3 Cos show ground – which came as a bit of a shock to those who were not aware of the changes
A first-time judge for our breed was Billy Henderson from Portadown, Co Down and he had received an entry of 36 dogs and 45 bitches and following this, emerged some new names to be added to our list of winners.
Heading the gentlemen was the blue merle of Christine & Noel Collins and I understand Noel was present to see this as Triburle Bluebolero, who won from Post Graduate won his class and the DCC. Sired by Fridens Xtra Chance to Salsina, out of Rowlands Blaithin Deas at Triburle, who is, in fact a grand-daughter of Christine’s own Choco Pops du Domaine des Emeraudes at Triburle who did a fair bit of winning in his show days. Born in April 2022 and has been collecting a few classes recently and this is his first big card and I understand a first CC for a Triburle blue
Taking the RDCC was the winner of Open, No More Heroes du Clos de Sea-Wind JW for Rob & Margaret Shipp. Still on 2 CC’s and fair few RCC wins. Bred in France by the Mervant family he is sired by Desperado du Clos de Sea-Wind out of I’m A Barbie Girl du Bois des Amazones and he was born in October 2017.
Other class winners were: Lynmack Starman at Lemivee (Veteran); Sweetmints What a Buzz at Gataj (MP); Avonfair Aloysius (PD); Brilyn Worth The Wait (JD); Gataj Turn Back Time JW (Yearling); Barrenclough Diamond Dawn at Myjacks (Limit)
Class winners for the ladies included: Ch Beldones La Vita Bella for Hanvale, Veteran; Thistlewing Gold Mist, MPuppy; Aaronwell Abel Mabel took Puppy; Beldones California won Junior;  There was no winner of Yearling as all prizes were withheld. Post Grad went to Avonfair A Million Lovesong; Ladnar Izadorable won Limit and Open went to Artzaiak Strawberry Rose for Salsina.
BCC, her first was Aaronwell Able Mabel, a sable sired by Ch Brilyn Intoxicated out of Riverside Song Desiderata at Aaronwell, for breeder John Congdon and often by partner Sue Hawkins
The RBCC was the Open winner, Artzaiak Strawberry Rose for Salsina, who already holds a CC which was won at Midland CC. Sired by Juicy Couture of Lowlands Green Valley out of Artzaiak Secondhand Rose and bred in Spain by Jose Arumbaru Duran.
BOB went to the sable bitch puppy , who was also BPIB, and BVIB to Ch Beldones La Vita Bella for Hanvale.
Sue Bird judged the Pastoral Group, Marion Sargeant did the puppy group and Veterans were judged by Steve Atkinson.
Although we, as a breed had no placings, a lovely message from Sue Hawkins confirmed that she was short-listed in her puppy group with her charge still on her toes after a very long day
Finally, I did notice that on social media, apart from the comments regarding the with-holding issue, some other comments concerning the day. Before we all become keyboard contributors, please pause and think. As some comments can and do have an effect on not only the winners but also to newcomers to the breed. Surely our aim as a breed is to encourage not deter all. There are a couple of well-known quotes that should be remembered:
Win with humility, lose with grace and do both with dignity, also do remember you will always take the best dog home with you

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com