Three Counties Championship Show
4th June 2026 – Rough Collies
Thanks to Three Counties for inviting me to judge their CH show. A special thanks to Kay & Alex, my stewards, who were a pleasure to work with. I know times are hard, but I thank everyone who entered & travelled on a Thursday.
My main concern for our breed is the lack of quality & nos in depth, especially males. There seems to be quite a difference in type at the moment & not many young people active for the future. Overall temperaments & movement were OK. Some could do with a Hollywood smile & some had short, receding back skulls. I was pleased with my main winners.
120. Collie (Rough) – Puppy Dog
Entries: 5 Absentees: 2
1ST 256 – As Desas Du Domaine Des Emeraudes (Mr B & Mrs O Hawkins & Foy)
Tri boy with a nice expression. Would like ears a bit tighter & a bit more length in head. Time will tell. Good bone & length of back, moved well enough, just needs to tighten up & mature on. Will be interesting to see how he develops. BPD.
2ND 289 – Chelborn Look at Me (Mrs S E Thorne)
Blue boy, an upstanding dog with a nice colour & outline & reach of neck. Good ears & expression, needs to clean out in stop. Good length of back, needs to tighten up in movement. Again, time will tell with young males.
3RD 269 – Artiste Nocturne Du Domaine Des Emeraudes at Gataj (Imp Fra) (Mrs M A Lockyer)
121. Collie (Rough) – Junior Dog
Entries: 1 Absentees: 0
1ST 273 – Gataj Just Like Jesse James (Mrs M A Lockyer)
This sable boy might not be the biggest jack in the box at 14 months, but he is so well balanced. Size isn’t everything. Has a clean, balanced head with nice arched neck, super expression, ears on top, lovely balanced outline. Moves so true front & back with drive. Reasonable bone & substance for age, super outgoing temperament, presented well. CC & was on his toes for BOB. I watched him in the group & he didn’t let our breed down and I’m sure he will get even better as he matures. Well done & a pleasure to judge.
122. Collie (Rough) – Graduate Dog
Entries: 3 Absentees: 1
1ST 283 – Ladnar Call My Name JW (Mr D A & Mrs S P Randall)
This upstanding blue boy has caught my eye from ringside many times. He has a lovely outline, shape & neck, pleasing head planes, super bone & nice colour. He covers the ground well. Being hypercritical, would like his ears a tad tighter to enhance his expression, but presentation & showmanship excellent and I’m sure his time will come.
2ND 272 – Gataj I Got You Babe (Mrs M A Lockyer)
Sable boy, nice overall shape & make, bit reluctant to show himself off. Nice expression, moved OK.
123. Collie (Rough) – Post Graduate Dog
Entries: 2 Absentees: 0
1ST 277 – Roughrigg Rags'n'riches (Mrs M & Mr J Mccarte)
Rich sable dog, great outline & shape, nice expression, ears bang on top, slightly cheeky. Moved out well, good drive front & rear, presented well.
2ND 287 – Ballahanna Ballad Singer at Glenbowdene (Miss S M Telford)
Sable dog with a nice head & expression, strong bone. Would like a bit more neck & length of back. Moved well enough.
124. Collie (Rough) – Limit Dog
Entries: 3 Absentees: 0
1ST 290 – Hanvale Ralph Lauren JW (Mr H & Mrs A Toogood)
This shaded sable boy has caught my attention a few times. Upstanding male with a sweet but masculine expression, full rounded muzzle, ears on top, lovely reach of neck into good shoulders & length of back. Solid bone, neat feet, lovely outgoing temperament, kept his tail down pretty well. Presented & shown well. Like him a lot. RCC, well done, good luck with him.
2ND 249 – Didek Once in A Blue Moon (Mr D & Mrs D Farthing)
Blue of nice clear colour, make & shape. Moved out OK, not quite head & expression of first.
3RD 254 – Geosamka Loves to Love at Ithilien (Mrs S Harris)
125. Collie (Rough) – Open Dog
Entries: 6 Absentees: 2
1ST 259 – Ch Beldones Ivory Star (Mr B & Mrs O Hawkins & Foy)
There is no doubt in the quality of this top-winning sable dog. His make & shape is great, moves out true back & front & covers the ground with ease & drive. His head handles well with lovely expression. He didn’t seem to be on his toes today showing-wise. Maybe a summer cruise might perk him up.
2ND 293 – Paulara Blaze of Glory (Mrs C Turner)
This sable boy has a lovely expression & well-filled muzzle. Would like tighter ear carriage, which would enhance his head. Good length of back, moved out OK.
3RD 244 – Chelborn That'll Do (Mrs V Cronk)
126. Collie (Rough) – Veteran Dog
Entries: 1 Absentees: 0
1ST 288 – Brilyn Born to Run for Glenbowdene (Miss S M Telford)
This sable boy reminds me of dogs from yesteryear. Lovely sweet expression, well-rounded muzzle, neat ears, masculine male with good length of body, strong bones, neat feet. Covered the ground well for his age, showed & presented well. BVD & BV, well done. Thanks for bringing him.
127. Collie (Rough) – Minor Puppy Bitch
Entries: 3 Absentees: 0
1ST 278 – Sweetmint's Yasmin at Roughrigg (Imp Nor) (Mrs M & Mr J Mccarte)
This very cheeky, outgoing sable bitch has the most melting expression, ears bang up on top, clean head, super reach of neck, lovely body shape, good length of back, neat feet. Moved out well when her handler could keep her on four feet, but I like a woman with character. I’m sure her handler needs the exercise! Well done, BPB & BPIB.
2ND 300 – Takhisis Lady Is A Tramp (Mrs S L Wray-Ramsden)
6-month raw tri baby, 1st show I think. Has a nice make & shape, head handled well, moved well for 1st show. Just a bit raw at the moment, time is on her side.
3RD 274 – Gataj Miss Sparkles (Mrs M A Lockyer)
128. Collie (Rough) – Puppy Bitch
Entries: 2 Absentees: 1
1ST 246 – Chelborn Blue Me Away (Mrs V L & Mr I Cronk & Preddy)
Another forward madam, blue bitch who has a beautiful colour. Her head is refined and needs to clear out in stop, ears bang up on top, sweet eye, super reach of neck and good length of back, neat feet & moderate bone. Covered the ground well. Again, another that just needs time.
129. Collie (Rough) – Junior Bitch
Entries: 3 Absentees: 1
1ST 264 – Geosamka Summer (Miss K Johnston)
This sable girl is well put together, sweet expression, nice head planes, tight ears, good length-to-height ratio, nice length of back. Moved out well, just needs to tighten up & a bit fidgety at times standing.
2ND 284 – Tremaro Fantasy (Mr Rp & Mrs Ma Shipp)
Similar remarks to this girl, just needs a bit of time.
130. Collie (Rough) – Graduate Bitch
Entries: 6 Absentees: 2
1ST 275 – Vichy Vuitton of Dirty Booties at Gataj (Imp Deu) (Mrs M A Lockyer)
Quality sable bitch, nice overall make & shape, sweet expression, head planes, neat ears. Moved out front & back, well presented nicely.
2ND 257 – Beldones Caribbean Girl (Mr B & Mrs O Hawkins & Foy)
Sable bitch, good overall make & shape, not quite expression of first.
3RD 241 – Wicani Dulcibella Gyda Maysinder (Mr D & Mrs M Beardsworth)
131. Collie (Rough) – Post Graduate Bitch
Entries: 8 Absentees: 0
1ST 267 – Salsina Mystic Rose (C & J Llewellyn)
Sable bitch with a lot to like about her. Lovely shape, nice head & expression, could use her ears better. Moved well, just lost interest at times. Good bone, substance, coat, presented well.
2ND 270 – Gataj All That Glitters (Mrs M A Lockyer)
Glitter she did, but not as much as 1st. Sound bitch who presents a lovely picture, moved out well.
3RD 247 – Gataj Someone You Loved to Melayla (Mrs S A Daley)
132. Collie (Rough) – Limit Bitch
Entries: 10 Absentees: 4
1ST 286 – Gataj Time After Time at Rahlissa (Mrs Vm Tame)
Another sable bitch I have admired from ringside & didn’t disappoint on going over her. Clean head, feminine expression, good ears & reachy neck flowing into good front & super length of back. Moved effortlessly round the ring. Lovely girl, RCC, well done.
2ND 260 – Jopium Follow My Heart JW (Miss J Hodges)
This is another quality bitch who I like a lot. Her head clean, soft expression, ears on top, lovely body shape, moved out well. Just felt 1st had the edge coming to me on the move today. Lovely girl.
3RD 265 – Sea Dreamer's Gracy Love at Geosamka (Imp Nld) (Miss K Johnston)
133. Collie (Rough) – Open Bitch
Entries: 5 Absentees: 2
1ST 295 – Millubie Essence of Magic at Wassail (Imp Srb) (D Ware)
Well, she certainly has that piece of magic about her. This beautiful tri bitch with her clean feminine head & expression, lovely foreface, clean stop, ears bang on top. She has the most arched neck flowing into good front & back. She moved & performed for the boss perfectly. Standing, she screams femininity, “look at me”, right up my street. Honoured to award her third and crowning CC. In the challenge at the end of the day, just felt young dog was up on his toes for the group.
2ND 245 – Ch Skabona If I Saw You in Heaven for Chelborn JW (Imp Swe) (Mrs V Cronk)
Another quality blue bitch of a super clear colour. Her make & shape is lovely, moved effortlessly round the ring with drive & purpose. Just lost out on personal preference on head to first, but can’t be ignored.
3RD 268 – Starlenga Nina Simone (C & J Llewellyn)
134. Collie (Rough) – Veteran Bitch
Entries: 3 Absentees: 0
1ST 276 – Santaloly's Sky Amidalas VW ShCEx (Mrs H Lyall)
This 11-year-old sable bitch defies her age. Moved effortlessly round the ring for her handler, who has obviously given her all the love and care she needs. So well presented by her owner, a credit to you. BVB. Just lost out on expression for BV. Thank you for bringing her.
2ND 250 – Carristina Summer Rhapsody (Ms L B Gautrey)
Another oldie enjoying her day out, lovely.
3RD 248 – Aldreen Illusion in Blue for Didek (Mr D & Mrs D Farthing)
Robin Blaikie – Kourika |
