23rd January 2026

Here we go, the first General Championship show for 2026, and the first of many “First Time Judges” awarding CC’s to our breed this year.
Currently, as I write, we now have 230 Fully Approved Judges for our breed, plus those still hoping to go through by Grandfather (yes, it is closed but there are names in the pipeline) along with all the L2 candidates, now listed at 113 with 4 standing at L3. However, may I remind you that unless you are now registered on the RKC Find A Judge Database, regardless of your previous achievements, you are now no longer approved to judge at any level!
The judge today was the well-known Secretary of Belfast Ch Show, namely Jackie Stubbs and he had drawn an original entry of 69, but according to Higham there were 17 listed as absent. As I do have the pages, I am unable to say if these were all individual or repeat entries.
Taking his 11th CC was Clovis, starting the year as he ended it, I am sure by now you are all aware of his breeding and he won Open. Although 2nd in Open was not called, the RDCC went to the winner of Puppy, Melissa and Gataj Just Like Jesse James. He is a sable, born last April and he is sired by Ch Gataj Turn Back Time, out of Sweetmints Uptown Girl at Gataj (Imp Nor). He was also BPD.
Colin Bartram won SBD with Ambartr King of The Ring, Melissa won Junior, although alone, with Gataj I Got You Babe (full brother to Jesse James). Julie Edwards and Eleri Bluck took PG with Beldones Mojito. Eileen Pullin had the thrill of winning Limit with Barrenclough Diamond Dawn at Myjacks whilst completing the dog line up was a lovely win for the Jones family, and many thanks for your message, as Brooklynson Black Diamond With Dancol won Veteran.
For the ladies, winning her 2nd CC was Jopium Follow My Heart JW and Jo Hodges. Tilly is sired by Riverside Song Explorer of Hearts out of Jopium Loves To Sparkle at Meryctin. She won her 1st from Howard Ogden last year at Birmingham National.
Taking the RBCC was Salsina Love Me Do For Whitecraigs, in the ownership of Mrs Dawn Clark Kerr and this little lady won SBB, and Post Grad. She is also sired by Riverside Song Explorer of Hearts but out of Salsina Feel My Love and she was born in July 2024.
Di Ware and her Parachute Over to Wassail (Imp Serbia) won Puppy, Beldones Rich Velvet in the hands of Julie Edwards won Junior. Brenda Welsh won Open with Thistlewing Magic Lady whilst Lenosann Black Cherry took VB for Denise and Samantha Vogan.
In the challenge for BOB, this went to Jo. BPIB to Melissa and Jesse James, Best Special Beginners to Dawn and Salsina Love me Do whilst Ann Jones won Best Veteran In Breed with her tri boy. There was no Veteran Group scheduled here but I understand all others attended with little success and a lovely message from Jo Hodges to say that she eventually got back home at midnight having waited for her group but massive congratulations to Michelle Davis and Jake Walsh who won the adult Pastoral group under Debbie Stansbury with their homebred Australian Shepherd, Rosschell Maid To Dream.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com