COLLIE ASSOCIATION OPEN SHOW #2 – 6 JULY 2025
BEST IN SHOW
Judge – Bev White

Thanks to the officers and committee for the honour of judging the In Show awards at this friendly show. Despite having all four seasons thrown at us during the course of the day, everyone was cheerful, and the dogs did not seem to mind one bit, even during the thunderstorm!
My thanks to the two judges, Mrs. Large and Ms. Collino, for sending through some beautiful collies for me to judge.

Best in Show (show 2) was the Rough Collie, Hawkins’ and Foy’s Beldones Ivory Star. Recently elevated to the upper house and deservedly so. I was also told that he had won the BIS award at show 1 today under Mrs. Hateley. A great day for him.  I found him to be so well constructed under his beautifully presented coat and this, together with being in great physical condition, enabled him to power round the ring, with reach and drive, keeping a steady topline and low tail carriage. Standing he appealed for elegance, having a lovely reach of neck, good length of back and long tail, correctly set on.  Good bone and substance despite being only 18 months old. His head is so well balanced – no receding back skull here. Correctly placed stop, decent underjaw, and clean, moulded foreface. He has the desired collie expression with correctly shaped and placed eyes and ears, well set on and tipped correctly.  A really lovely male – well done.

Reserve BIS was Seager’s eye-catching Smooth Collie Blamorder Magic Maker with Freejack.  For me, this young male excels in head and expression. One of the best I have seen for a good while. A beautifully balanced head – very masculine but with no trace of coarseness. Ears are correctly set and well used. Correctly placed stop, dark eyes that are obliquely set, dark and almond shaped, giving a beautiful expression. Excels in underjaw and clean moulded foreface, not overdone at all. He has a lovely reach of neck leading to good front angulation, good bone, and substance for his age (2 and a half). I would prefer him to have slightly less length of leg as this makes his outline rather too square and therefore lacking the desired proportions. Maybe as he matures and drops into himself, this will improve. He excels in movement and temperament. A really lovely dog, deserving of this award, which I see he also achieved in show 1.  Congratulations.

Best puppy in show was the Rough Collie, Chantique The Witcher, owner bred by Mr. and Mrs. Scott. A very promising ten month old male with super construction and very sound movement. Beautiful head and expression, well used ears, and correctly placed stop. His head is clean and well balanced. Lovely reach of neck and good length of back. Long tail, correctly carried. I think he will have a bright future ahead of him if he continues to mature along these lines. I see he also won BPIS at show 1 – congratulations!

Reserve BPIS was Lusty’s Manordeifi Hijacked by Blamorder. Giving away a lot in age to the winner, being only just 6 months old. Nevertheless, he shows great promise with great construction, correct body proportions and a steady temperament. His head is developing along the right lines and his expression is appealing. Very loose still on the move but I see no reason why he should not develop in the right direction given time.

Best Veteran in Show was Cowling’s Smooth Collie, Koczkodan Serenity. Such a lovely, elegant outline on this almost 9 year old. Crested neck leading to correct length of back and lovely rounded hindquarters. Correct angulation front and rear, super bone. Balanced head with very appealing expression thanks to lovely dark eyes, a touch rounded now but correctly placed. Good stop, well set on and used ears. In excellent condition and moving effortlessly around the ring.

RBVIS was the evergreen Ch Brooklynson Jane Russell of Oakestelle, owned by Ms. Benton. Her condition and movement belie her 10 and a half years. Steps out like a dog half her age. Lovely, elegant outline with super reach of neck, good length of back and long tail carried low. Her head is balanced, perfect dentition. This award was quite difficult as both girls well deserved it.  The expression and ear set of the smooth appealed more. Another who won the same award at show 1! Congratulations.

Bev White (judge)