3rd October 2025

Recently we have seen 2 Ch shows in Wales, 2 in Scotland and many dual Ch shows in England, this weekend it was the turn of Northern Ireland with 2 shows, Belfast and Irish Collie Club
Before reporting on these, I must however make mention of the fantastic work done by John Blake (Corydon) which has just been published, with grateful thanks. John Blake has spent many hours on this project, which is now available via the Collielife Web Pages (and not to be copied)
For those who can read / understand pedigrees it gives an insight into the importance of Breeding behind dams and how influential some of these dams have been. As many well know, our breed has been divided into Families,  following on from the work completed by the Late Margaret Osborne (Shiel) and later enhanced by the late Dareen Bridge, whose entire collection of collie records and information were lost to us on her death as an “unknown” brother appeared on the scene and felt that all that Dareen had collected was of no use to him living in the USA. Luckily for the breed, John has kept his own records, as I have, (including all the original records compiled by Margaret) and the original intention was , by John, to publish all of this in book form but costs and time came into effect so this has been handed over for many to view.  A quick view will show basic family names and details and I was honoured to see our own Ch Antoc Soul Diva (better known to all as the Houdini Hound) mentioned in her family. Other names which could be recognised also include: Sandiacre, Kourika, Corydon, Chelborn, Jasand, Ambartr, Mejola just to mention a few.
Now back to N. Ireland where a few gathered for the 2 Ch shows, Belfast had yet another first-time judge for Roughs, I have lost count of the number of new judges that Belfast have appointed. This time Mrs L Ratter, based in North Ayrshire was the recipient of 12 male and 17 female entries. Judging, inside, was to commence after S/C Chihuahua classes in another ring. Our judge is quite well known and is approved for the Working Group and only recently came through the Grandfather system for her appointment.
On the day, just 10 males and 12 ladies were present and winning the Dog CC was Morag & Jim McCarte, and news of this win was gratefully received here. Ch Roughrigg Rag’n’Bone Man is a sable, sired by Lynmack Walk All Over You at Roughrigg out of Beldones Fun Games ar Roughrigg and this was his 4th CC although he had collected a few RDCC wins since gaining his title at Ayrshire Collie in 2022. He won the Open class, of 3. Taking the RDCC was the winner of Limit, handled by Jo Hodges, this being Geosamka Loves to Love at Ithilien for Sue Harris. Who is actually away on holiday so Jo offered to take him for her.  He adds this to his existing tally of 1 CC and a couple of reserves, won earlier this year. Sired by Jopium Front Runner at Geosamka out of Sea Dreamers Gracey Love at Geosamka and is bred by Karen Johnston and he won a Limit class of 2. Jake Walsh made an appearance here with Gianpaulo’s tri baby, Verysuper Blak di Cambiano and won BPD although he to was alone. Liam Kelly and Ballahanna Betrayed won Post Grad and Lillyway Lattimer at Nithview took Veteran for Helen Jopson. Now to the ladies, and taking Junior, was another Roughrigg, but this was Grenville Francis and his Roughrigg Rene Russo at Peblu. Roughrigg Rant’nRave won Graduate for Meghan Allen. PG, handled by Jake was the blue, Afterhero Cheeky Angel at Wicani (Imp Hun) for Angela and Keith Harvey. Avonfair Secret Love Letter to Salsina, owned by Carl & Jayne Llewellyn won the limit class of 3 and a full complement of ladies graced the Open class with, according to Fosse, all 7 present! And this went to Vanessa, handling her Chelborn Tell Me Your Wish, now able to claim another Ch for her kennel. As she won her 1st at Bournemouth from Robin Newhouse, her 2nd at Richmond from Marianne Benton, each time handled by Isaac Preddy.  Sired by Ch Skabona The Gambler at Chelborn out of Chelborn That’ll Be A Wish at Shepatin and she was born in July 2022. Winning the RBCC was Avonfair Secret Love Letter to Salsina adding to her CC and RCC wins this year. Sired by Magical Moon of Lowlands Green Valley for Chantique out of Salsina Secret Love Song at Avonfair.
BVB was a nice win for Sharon Drewery with her Evalane Sticky Toffee Lollie at Elshadene, BOB went to Vanessa, BPIB to Gianpaulo’s tri baby and Jake. BVIB to Lillyway Lattimer at Nithview who is sired by Jopium Stole My Heart at Lingwell out of Lillyway Loobylou and bred by Julie Growcott.
In the group, judged by Sally Duffin (who actually had her 1st appointment for Roughs here, back in 2023,) a fantastic boost for our breed when Vanessa gained a G2 place. Well done to all concerned

It was not too long before the ICC show started, the Secretary, is Grenville Francis (Peblu) . Also held inside with a very similar entry to that of Belfast of just 25, made up from 9 dogs and 16 bitches but there were absentees here too. This time the judge was Sophie Wray-Ramsden, on just her 3rd appointment having first judged males at CCW, followed by Blackpool for both sexes back in 2022.
From her entry, her DCC was Tom Wall’s well-known tricolour, Ch Daliyhaa Master Craftsman and this, I think is his 8th CC in total, with 6 coming this year alone. I am sure you all know his breeding but again, sired by Ch Beldones Blue Echo out of Daliyhaa Isadorable.  Taking the RDCC was Liam Kelly and his Ballahanna Betrayed who won from yearling. This is his 2nd such award this year, having taken the RDCC at SKC from Michelle Davis. He is a sable, by Ballahanna All Guns Blazing out of Samhaven Sister Sara with Ballahanna. He won Yearling, beating the only other entrant, Geosamka Loves to Love at Ithilien who was also in this class having been born October 2023.
Post Grad went to Michelle Mitchell and Avonfair Aloysius, alone and with no Limit boys, Open had 3 entries, won by Tom and his tri boy, beating Ch Roughrigg Rag’n’Bone man with the only other entrant, absent.  Best PD  was Gianpaulo’s tri boy, Verysuper Blak di Cambiano as the only one present. Again, Veteran went to Lillyway Lattimer at Nithview.
Now for the ladies, and slighter better numbers here. With no MP or PB, Junior went to Grenville with his Roughrigg Rene Russo at Peblu. The next class (Yearling) was Roughrigg Rant’nRave followed by Afterhero Cheeky Angel at Wicani who won PG. Limit had 3 ladies and topping this was Avonfair Secret Love Letter to Salsina, with Ch Roughrigg Remember Me taking Open and the BCC. This is her 4th CC and she is a later litter siter to the DCC winner at Belfast.
RBCC was Avonfair Secret Love Letter to Salsina, repeating her win earlier in the day. BOB / BIS went to Tom and his tricolour boy, with RBIS to McCarte’s sable Ch Roughrigg Remember Me, BPIS to the tri boy and Best Veteran was Lillyway Lattimer who beat Sharon Drewery and her Belfast winner.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com