14th March 2025

Crufts, love it or hate it, is the highlight  in the show calendar and often produces some marvellous memories for many. This year there were a few changes and for only the second time in 50+ years I was unable to attend. Both times were due to illness of a dog and to those who are aware, we are still waiting the outcome of numerous scans and tests
At the end of the day, both CC winners were repeating previous success with other dogs, so, obviously for them Crufts would be deemed a “Lucky” show
I was fortunate to make an entry and also purchased the On-Line Catalogue produced by Fosse Data and my grateful thanks to Fosse, and I am sure I speak for many “stay-at-home” folk who were able to access not only the full classification but also to see the class results as they happened. Maybe this is the way forward in the UK, as when abroad, this has been the “norm” for some years.
Back to the show, and there was a change of Halls for our breed, from our established Hall 1, to Hall 2, however for those in associated breeds this did mean a quick sprint through the crowds to exhibit in both halls.
With judging at a sensible hour, 10am and 10.30, all assembled for the two judges, Phil Amos and Sheila Telford who between them had drawn an entry of 88 males and 109 ladies.
Phil Amos holds the Elsamos affix and is so very well known as Chairman of the West of England Collie Society. Although not currently active in the show ring, his small kennel has produced some quite influential collies including Ch Elsamos Star Traveller, E. Starflash and Ch Elsamos Starmaker at Mallicot to name just 3.
The first class, Veteran was well filled with 13 gentleman present and this was won by Int Hun/Ser/Hr/Be Ch Stonehaven Pride Hard Rock, a sable, owned by Bernadette Peresne Csokona. Interesting to note, that only one UK bred dog was placed of the five selected.
Minor Puppy had just the 1 entry, Aqualita Majestic in the names of Hazel and daughter Isobel Allsopp. Puppy followed with 4 entries and taking this was Roughrigg Life of Riley at Hanvale for Hannah and Simon Walder. Junior, a well filled class of 9 was won by Beldones Ivory Star for Brian & Odile. Yearling had 14 entered and family “Brooker” annexed this with Starlenga All About Majic for Corisian. Nancy Houlihan had the thrill of winning PG with her blue merle, Kourika Frosted Ice. Usual Suspects of River Tweed and Miss F Veyrunes took the Limit Class of 20 with just 2 absent.
Open Dog, a class of 16 with 3 missing went to Paulara No Where Man for Charlene Turner, handled by a very smartly dressed Luis. Having been placed Reserve in Veteran, Lynda Boyle piloted Barrenclough Heart of Gold to win the Good Citizen Class.

Now to the CC, and although listed without a Ch title in the catalogue, a 4th CC was awarded to Luis and Ch Paulara No Where Man. He is a tricolour who won his first CC at West of England CS from Gee McEntee in 2022, his 2nd from Val Brown in 2023 at Lancs & Cheshire and his crown from the late Terry McGowan at Border Union in the same year. Sired by Monsolana Bounty Taste for Aaronwell out of Camanna Cocomotion and was born in February 2020. Charlene & Luis previously won the CC with Chantique Magical Mystery in 2022 from Merv Casling.
Winning the RDCC was the Veteran sable, Int Hun/Ser/Hr/Be Ch Stonehaven Pride Hard Rock, sired by Riverside Song Rock My World out of Stonehaven Pride Gentle Touch. BPD was Roughrigg Life of Riley at Hanvale, sired by Hanvale Arthur Shelby out of the recent CC winning, Roughrigg Remember Me.
Veteran was the first class for Sheila Telford, with 18 entered, although a few were missing and repeating her win of 2024, was the blue lady, Beloreen Starlight. MP had Salsina Love Me Do who had travelled down from Scotland for Dawn Clarke-Kerr. Puppy Bitch was a full class of 10 and winning this was Tremaro Million Dollar Baby. Brian & Odile won Junior with Beldones Classic Touch with 11 present. Simon & Hannah won Yearling with their latest winner, Hanvale Patsy Stone. A class of 31 with 6 missing was headed by Rob & Margaret Shipp with Tremaro Kind of Magic. Melissa Lockyear headed the Limit class with her sable, Gataj All That Sparkles. Open went to Liam Kelly and Samhaven Sister Sara for Ballahanna who had won BPIS from Sheila as a baby. The last class of the day went to Stacy Steven and Cambrogan Blowin’ A Hoolie AW.
The CC, her first went to Tremaro Kind of Magic, sired by Ch Magical Moon of Lowlands Green Valley for Chantique out of Perfect Decision de Clos de Seawind and was born in April 2022, handled by Rob Shipp and jointly owned with wife Margaret. Rob & Margaret won the BCC with Prince of Sunlight Naomi at Tremaro from Sue Hawkins in 2017.
Samhaven Sister Sara for Ballahanna took back the RBCC, bred by Alison Grainger and owned by Liam Kelly, she is sired by Honky Tonk Man of River Tweed out of Samhaven From the Top Drawer.
BPB was the daughter of the CC winning bitch, Tremaro Million Dollar Baby who is sired by Very Special Agent Silvestre at Gataj with Beloreen Starlight (Monsolana Bluestar from Aaronwell out of Bahatiview Bizarre) taking BVB and she was born March 2018
Both judges agreed on BOB and this went to the sable bitch. Best Veteran went to the dog, with BPIB going to Roughrigg Life of Riley at Hanvale.
During the 4 days of Crufts, thanks must go the Midland Collie Club who, along with many helpers, set up, decorated and manned the Discover Dogs stand with some of those on show to the general public also “strutting their stuff” in the breed rings with some excellent results and showing the versatility of our breed.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com