Firstly, I would like to thank the committee of Northumberland & Durham Collie Club for their invitation to judge their first Open Show of the year.

The club has a close place in my heart, they hosted the first seminar I attended, as a young and eager to learn exhibitor, almost 20 years ago. I have competed at many of their well run shows, as well as having life long friendships with some of those still serving on the committee - it was truly an honour for me to return as the individual who determined the days winners.

Secondly, I would like to thank my wonderful stewards, the day ran at ease and I felt we had a good ring report, which makes the experience all the more enjoyable.

Lastly, to the exhibitors who both entered and attended the day, accepting my decisions in a sporting and graceful manner, Thank you.

Minor puppy Dog (3,3)

1 Boyle, Barranclough Moon Magic
Young SW boy who was somewhat unsettled today. He has a clean head, correct eye, giving sweet expression, highlighted with good ear carriage. Well boned and shapely, with good reach of neck and length of back. Moved well for age, with tight rear angulation.

2 Boyle, Arklethill Malachi
8 month old boy, attending his first show today. His head is balance, with correct wedge and ear carriage. He has a striking outline, well arched neck, correct length of back, good bend in stifle finished with a long, well set tail. Well presented.

3 Gibson, Dipdown Bilbo Baggins

Puppy Dog (5,3)

1 McCann, Oakland Blue Style Du Clos Seawind at Zolkhan (Imp Fra)
BM just short of 12 months, overall he is well balanced and of good make and shape. His head type is beautiful, sweet and well placed eye, good ear carriage and under jaw. Well broken and clean coloured coat, which was well presented. He moved well, I just wished he could have had more gusto, to finish off the picture, which inevitably cost him BPIS, but pleased to award him BPD, RBD.

2 Boyle, Barrenclough Moon Magic

3 Gibson, Dipdown Bilbo Baggins

Junior Dog (no entries)

Yearling Dog (2,1)

1 Boyle, Barrenclough Heart of Gold JW
Shaded sable of 14 months, very attentive to handler. He has a balanced head type, consistent with this kennel, sweet almond eye, using his ears constantly. I would prefer more neck and length in back and more thorough grooming. He moved with pace and has strong rear angulation.

Novice Dog (1,1)

1 Boyle, Barranclough Moon Magic

Post Graduate Dog (1,1)

4 Boyle, Barranclough Heart of Gold JW

Limit Dog (5,2)

1 Brooker, Corisian French Connection
Lovely SW Male, still relatively young, but maturing well for age. His head is balanced, although in profile, can look deep in stop, when handled it is correct, clean wedge and sweet eye, perfectly placed & well used ears. He has a pleasing outline, good reach of neck and length of back, slight rise over the loin. Presented and handled well, pleased to award him BD & BOS

2 French, Samhaven Name That Tune at Breckamore
Lovely male, he just wasn’t happy in his environment today, which is unfortunate. He has a good head to handle, masculine yet soft in expression, correct wedge and well filled and moulded foreface and good underjaw. Overall, he has a superb shape, front and rear angulation correct, which is shown on the move. Would like to see him in full coat and happy within himself, as I’m sure he would portray an impressive dog.

3 Dodsworth, Rosschell Will I Am at Libanel

Open Dog (3,2)

1 Brand, Ronansprey Ronan Kisses
Good sized tri colour Male, presented with a jet black, well groomed coat. His head is correct in mould, his eye is sweet, although I would prefer it to be set more obliquely. Very attentive to handler and covered the floor well on the move.

Minor Puppy Bitch (3,3)

1 Jones & Blackburn, Erjon Evolving Star
SW bitch, just under 9 months of age of lovely make and shape. She has a well balanced head, with nice, well placed eye, to give sweet expression. She caught my eye for her overall balance and once settled in the class, showed this off in her movement, striding out, holding topline and carrying her long tail correctly. Was pleased to award her BPB and BPIS at what I was later told, was her first show - congratulations.

2 Iley, Arklehill Delilah
A SW with a beautiful outline, arched neck, length of back and turn in stifle, which was easy to assess by precision in the grooming. She has a correct wedge head, flat skull and neatly placed ears, I would prefer eye slightly more obliquely set to finish off the picture. Moved well for age, very attentive to handler, schooled to perfection.

3 Gibson, Dipdown Picture Perfect

Puppy Bitch (3,1)

1 Bella & Turner, Camanna Cocomotion
An 11 month old tri with jet black coat. Her head is easy to handle, correct wedge and flat skull, neat ears and pretty eye. Overall, she is very well balanced, from nose to tail, her top line flowed - arched neck into good shoulders, firm turn in stifle and well let down back pasterns. She is attentive to handler, just a happy girl who needs to settle herself, to show off her attributes.

2 Gibson, Dipdown Picture Perfect
Tri puppy with gleaming black coat, and rich tan. Her first show today, lacked in ring confidence, but hopefully this will come with time. Clean wedge and correct ear setting, would prefer more definitive stop and more obliquely set eye. Good shape, reluctant on the move.

Junior Bitch (3,1)

1 Bella & Turner, Camanna Cocomotion

2 Boyle, Barranclough Golden Linnet
A petite, pretty SW bitch, with a sweet expression. Overall, I would prefer more of her, length of back and height, but with that said, she has good angulation and covered the ring well.

Yearling Bitch (3,1)

1 Mitchell, Scottlyme Qkissagram for Avonfair
SW bitch of almost 2 years, very well balanced and easy on the eye. Her head is clean to handle, no exaggerations, correct wedge, stop and moulded muzzle, good ear carriage and obliquely set eye. She moves well, holding her topline and stops to stand all square, attentive to handler - schooled to perfection.

2 Boyle, Barrenclough Golden Linnet

Novice Bitch (No Entries)

Post Graduate Bitch (7,2)

1 Brooker, Telforth Sweet Dreams to Corisian JW
Although this 5.5 year old bitch is heavier in head than what would normally appeal to me, there is a lot to like. Her eye is very sweet, ears correctly placed and used constantly. She is well balanced in make and shape, strong arched neck, good topline, with slight rise over loin, neat back pasterns and uses them well to cover the ground with power and pace. Presented beautifully.

2 Jones & Blackburn, Erjon Esmay
Tri bitch who is balanced overall. She has a head of correct pattern, moulded foreface, flat skull and clean wedge with almond eye and neat ears. Her outline is good, well angled stifle and moved well. I really liked this bitch, just lacked the furninishings of 1.

3 Boyle, Barrenclough Golden Linnet

Limit Bitch (4,4)

1 Sibbald, Telforth Little Mix
A quality bitch on all fronts. She is petite in package but truly balanced and structurally sound, which is highlighted even more so in her movement. Her head is correct, no coarseness, sweet eye, neat ear placement, good under-jaw, giving the ‘collie smile’ and desired feminine expression I was looking for. She is no showing fool, but I’m sure if she was, she would have many a higher accolade to her collection. BB & BIS - well done and thank you for bringing her.

2 Brand, Ronansprey Rumour Has It Sh.CM
A lovely BM, that I have had the pleasure of judging before, now almost 6 years of age. She has matured beautifully on all counts - her head his balanced, constructed correctly and moved well. As always, presented immaculately.

3 Boyle, Barrenclough Golden Charm at Westoak

Open Bitch (3,1)

1 Mitchell, Ch Caronlea Celtic By Design for Avonfair
Tri colour bitch, who is very similar in make and shape to Limit winner. She holds herself with class and charisma, showing off outline to its best, for her 8 years she can still certainly work the ring! She moved effortlessly, striding out with power and grace, very well deserving of RBP and RBIS.

2 Fox, Alanita Winter Jazzmine
Beautiful, shapely bitch of good size, who stands to attention with handler. Her head properties are good and ears used constantly, I would just prefer a slightly softer expression. She moved with ease around the ring, her fresh coat groomed to perfection.

Veteran Bitch (3,2)

1 Sibbald, Lynmead Amalie Love Is Blue at Telforth
What a pretty little ‘pocket rocket’ this girl is! BM of clear colour and broken colour, in great condition. Her head is ideal, balanced, moulded and sweet. Wonderful topline, which is held on the move. Hard to believe she is over 7 years of age, moving around the ring like she is in her peak. Pushed hard for top honours.

L Ritchie (Walker) Starlenga