4th October 2024

Celebrations all around were held last weekend in Northern Ireland where there were 2 shows, firstly Belfast followed quickly by Irish Collie Club, both Championship shows and both with the same or similar results which I shall elaborate on shortly. With regard to celebrations, John & Caroline Tipper celebrated their wedding anniversary by attending “ a dog show” but with a slight difference as this was marked by the arrival of a bouquet of flowers at the venue for Caroline.
The venue for both shows was the Eikon Centre at Lisburn, with very similar entries for both judges who were Charlotte Hoier from  Denmark who last judged here in the UK at CA back in 2018.
From the original entry of 38 there were 6 marked absent by Fosse Data where the full results can be found. Dog CC, his 1st under UK ruling was Tom Wall who piloted his tricolour, Daliyhaa Master Craftsman to this win although he does hold his title in his home country. Sired by Ch Beldones Blue Echo out of Daliyhaa Isadorable, a daughter of Int Ch Hawkfield’s Return to Sender at Joshren for Daliyhaa who spent time with Tom some time back and he too is a tricolour and did a fair amount of winning before returning home. Hugo, as Master Craftsman is known also won the RDCC at Crufts this year. Taking the RDCC was a sable in the form of Sharon Drewery and Ballahanna Bon Jovi at Elshadene and he won from Veteran and was also declared BVIB. Sired by Geko de Midland Valley out of Samhaven From the Top Drawer and was born in 2016. BPD went to Morag & Jim McCarte with Roughrigg Rags’n’Riches who won the puppy class.
For the ladies, Val Geddes made a trip from Welshpool and stayed with friends who she had not seen for a few years and she was accompanied by her blue bitch, Ch Ingledene Sno Wanda who won Open and the BCC. Interesting to note the last time Charlotte judged she awarded Wanda’s sire, Ch/Int Ch Extraordinary Blu di Cambiano the CC and eventual BIS and today his daughter repeated the day by taking BOB. I am sure by now you are all aware of her breeding. RBCC went to another blue merle, this was Lorraine Quince and her Oakley Ice Queen for Karafaye (Imp Che) who had travelled over from Scotland. Born in 2023, she is sired by Oakley Higher Than Hope, who is a son of Androma Prince Caspian, who also features in the pedigree of another recent RCC winner of Androma Dreamcatcher at Serenlas belonging to Stefani Flower. Her dam is Corydon La Grand Dame, a daughter of Corydon Pol Roger and Mejola Fatal Attraction at Corydon.
Puppy bitch was won by Jolanta Data from Hungary with Afterhero Avantasia and Veteran Bitch was  Mae Melvin & Joan Jopson’s Nithview Country Bumpkin.
At the end of judging BOB fell to Sno Wanda, BVIB to Sharon and her Reserve CC sable boy and BPIB to Morag & Jim with Roughrigg Rags’n’Riches who stayed for  the group judged by Frank Whyte but did not feature but in the Adult group, Val & Wanda were shortlisted by Tom Johnston but progressed no further. However, I did notice that Roughrigg Rant’nRave, owned by Miss M Allen took a good 4th place in the Spl Beginner Stakes judged by Andre Van Den Broeke (Holland).
Irish Collie Judging followed on from the classes at Belfast and here the judge was Paul Battigan, who owns the Roclynn collies. Paul last judged in the UK back in 2021 at Midland Collie. Secretary Grenville sent over a marked catalogue showing just 4 entries missing from the original 38 but is somewhat annoyed and perplexed as at the end of the day, the Club Table, including the Club Logo was removed from the hall! So, who on earth would need to spoil and excellent day and Grenville wishes to thank all exhibitors for supporting the Club with their entries.
The dog CC was a 2nd for Tom Wall and Hugo with the RDCC going to Sharon and Bon Jovi who was also declared BVD. BPD was a repeat with Morag & Jim winning again.
Sno Wanda annexed her 7th CC for Val & John with the RBCC going to the winner of Limit, the Mitchell family with Avonfair A Million Lovesong JW, who is a sable, born in Dec 2021 and sired by Ch Magical Moon of Lowlands Green Valley for Chantique out of Salsina Secret Love of Avonfair. BPB was awarded to the tricolour belonging to Sophie Wray-Ramsden, Takhisis Xtraordinary Lady adding to a good day for Sophie who also won the CC & BOB with Bruce her ASD. BVB went to Nithview Country Bumpkin.
BIS was Sno Wanda, RBIS to Michelle and her RCC sable bitch, BPIS to Jim & Morag and BVIS to Sharon Drewery.
The recent issue of the Breed Health report has been circulated and by now, all clubs and committee should be returning their views on the requirements suggested by the KC. Once I have more information, I can let you all know.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com