Collie Club of Wales Championship Show
18th August 2024
Judge: Bev White

Huge thanks to the Collie Club of Wales for the honour of judging the In-Show awards at today’s show. Such a lovely atmosphere around the rings and it was good to catch up with so many folks.
I was asked to step in to referee in a couple of the Rough Collie decisions before stepping up to judge the final awards. All three judges, Messrs Staniland and Iley and Mrs Russell, sent through some very pleasing collies, and it was a pleasure to have the opportunity to decide between them.

Best in Show: Hawkins and Foy’s Beldones Just for Fun at Starlenga
Reserve Best in Show: Beeney’s Coneypark Golden Brown
Best Opposite Sex in Show: Hassock’s Cammana Cellmate
Best Puppy in Show: Lockyer’s Gataj Lewis Capaldi
Best Veteran in Show: Lusty’s Ch Blamorder Ice Cream Dream

The contest for Best in Show was between the rough collie, Hawkins and Foy’s Beldones Just for Fun at Starlenga, recently returned to the home kennel and how fortuitous was that?  I awarded her BoB over the young male rough collie Hassock’s Camanna Cellmate. For me it was her elegant outline and free and easy movement that swung that award her way.  When it came to BIS, she was up against a favourite smooth collie, Beeney’s Coneypark Golden Brown. In construction, they are both very similar: both have the sweeping collie lines I look for – the rough girl’s coat was groomed so it enhanced her outline rather than hiding it, lovely reach of neck, correct length of back and well ribbed. Both had super front construction and good bend of stifle. Both were strong on their rear quarters and neither cow hocked. Tails on both were long. When I asked them to move, they went equally as well as each other, positive movement, covering the ground easily holding their toplines. So, the final decision was made on head and expression and the rough scored here. Her head is clean with a defined not deep stop, ears correctly placed, beautifully moulded foreface and good underjaw.   Her expression is exquisite thanks to her dark, obliquely set eyes and it was this factor that tipped it in her favour.

Reserve Best in Show was the smooth collie who out moved the rough collie, Cellmate, who took Best Opposite Sex in Show.

Best Puppy in Show was the rough collie, Lockyer’s Gataj Lewis Capaldi. Having been called in to decide between him and his litter sister, G Exotic Girl, for best puppy in breed, I was smitten by these very promising pups who must surely have a bright future – like two peas in a pod. Both well-constructed and put down to perfection as usual from the kennel. It was difficult to split them in the breed ring, but I felt that Lewis had the better length of head today, giving greater elegance and his eye was also more obliquely set. Both moved well. When it came to the best puppy in show contest, the smooth collie was one I have judged recently at Lancashire & Cheshire CC, Lusty’s Blamorder Dare to Dream, who has now entered the teenage stage I feel and on the day was rather on the leg and flying her ears.  No doubt she will settle in time and regain her balance.  The nod therefore went to Lewis who was the more complete picture today.

The contest for Best Veteran in Show was between two old favourites – although neither really showing signs of being a veteran.  Shipp’s Ch Gillyflower Della Buca Delle Fate retains all the qualities that deservedly gave her that champion title however, she could not match the movement of Lusty’s Ch Blamorder Ice Cream Dream, to whom I recently awarded a CC and who continues to take top awards at championship level, and deservedly so. When I last judged her, I believe I said the only thing that could be improved was her colour which has darkened with age, but that is such a minor, cosmetic point and this is a collie who has working capabilities in spades.

Congratulations to all the winners today.

Bev White (judge)