1st December 2023

I start this set of notes with a heartfelt thanks from Marianne Benton who writes, following the death of husband Bob: “I would like to thank everyone for the lovely cards and the three breed clubs and show friends for those amazing flowers, Thanks all for their messages via Facebook and personal messenger and those collie folk that came and supported me at my husband’s funeral. I have overwhelmed by all the goodness of collie folk in the past few weeks and it’s made me so humble”
News of the Collie Association Ch Show, held at Coventry where a good entry for both breeds was received for judges, Mr Frank Kane, Hirontower, Jayne Llewellyn, Salsina and Richard Kinsey, Kitarn, who were officiating over an entry of 112 roughs and 19 smooths with Pat Wilkinson, Altricia doing BIS.
This was Frank Kane’s second appointment for our breed, having judged both sexes at Darlington 2016 and Jayne had previously judged at CCW in 2011 Bitches and Dogs at LCC in 2016
There were about 50 males and 58 females entered but as usual, some of both sexes were absent. Judging started at 10.00 for males and half an hour later for the ladies and by all accounts a very pleasant day for those who attended. There were celebration cakes for all, including for those members who gained a Ch title with their charges during 2023. A groaning raffle table and beautifully decorated rings all added to the atmosphere and the hard-working committee had all under control along with the many specials donated by new show sponsors, Walker and Drake.

Veteran went to Ch Brooklynson El Dorado ShCEx for Marianne Benton from a good entry of 8. Minor Puppy followed with a new winner for Melissa and Ultimate Result du Clos de Sea-Wind at Gataj (Imp Fra). Corydon Christopher and John Blake won Puppy. Another winner, Gataj Turn Back Time for Melissa took Junior.  Corydon The Baron won Yearling for Miranda. Novice went to Phreelancer Phinal Salute and Dr & Mrs Vescan. Luminous Moon Over Lenosann took Graduate for the Vogans. Ladnar Dreamchaser won PG for Sue Howard, Val Newton and Ann Patterson. Thistlewing Smokey Quarts and Brenda Welsh travelled down and won Mid-Limit. Limit went to Gwen and her Marvalan Spirit of Rock (Imp Pol) whilst Charlene Turner and Chantique Magical Mystery took a strong Open class of 10 handled as usual by Louis.
Now to the ladies, Sue Beare and Jemspark Maid In Secret won Veteran,  MP went to Beldones Velvet Eyes for Brian and Odile. Skabona If I Saw You In Heaven(Imp Swe) and Vanessa Cronk won Puppy. Val Tame and her Gataj Time After Time took Junior. Tremaro Kind of Magic won Yearling for Rob & Margaret Shipp. Gill Whittaker won Novice with Siluto Blueberry Mist.
Lynway Sun Blossom Through Gerian in the ownership of Gee McEntee took Graduate and Starlenga She’s All That for Beloreen, owned by Murray and Bellamy. Julie Edwards and her Paulara Lucy In The Sky for Elshajo won Mid Limit. Sue Randall handled her and Dave’s Ladnar Inkspot to win Limit whilst Hannah Walder won Open with her Ch Hanvale Polly Shelby.
Now to the CC’s, with all dogs gathered, the Dog CC, his 7th went to the Veteran, Ch Brooklynson El Dorado and Marianne, which must have been a tonic for her. After deliberation the RDCC winner was eventually the Open winner, Chantique Magical Mystery. BPD to Corydon Christopher.
Pedro is a sable, sired by Shep’s Moondance with Jaysur out of Ch Brooklynson Miley Cyrus and has collected quite a few large green cards already this year. Chantique Magical Mystery, another sable is sired by Ch Magical Moon of Lowlands Green Valley out of Chantique Bewitched, bred by Andre & Chantal and already has 2CC’s to his name including Crufts 2022. Best Puppy Dog, John Blake’s sable, Corydon Christopher is sired by  Ch Corydon The Ringleader out of his Corydon Clarissa and celebrates his first birthday next month.  BVD was Pedro.
Bitch CC followed, with a 2nd CC going to Sue Randall and Ladnar Inkspot, repeating her win of the CC back here in 2021. Brian was called in for the RBCC and this went to Beldones Magical Bliss with BPB being awarded to Skabona If I saw You In Heaven.
Ladnar Inkspot or Dottie at home is a tricolour, born in March 2020 and sired by Ch Beldones Blue Echo out of the late Ch Ladnar Inkheart. RBCC, Beldones Touch of Class already has a few good wins under her belt including 2CC’s both won this year. The blue puppy bitch was Skabona If I Saw You In Heaven for Chelborn celebrates her birthday early next year and was bred in Sweden by Bo & Natalia Skalin. Sired by Int Ch Rising Light of Scotland Yard out of Skabona Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door
Best of Breed Rough was awarded, by, I think. on the decision of the Referee, Pat Wilkinson to the tri bitch, who had been awarded her 1st CC by daughter Tracy. Reserve BOB went to Beldones Touch of Class, BVIB to Pedro and BPIB to Vanessa and her blue.
The smooths, judged by Richard Kinsey had BOB in Wynele Strike I Rich for Lewarne as their representative, along with Koczkdon Serenity as BVIB and Lizoni The Drifter as BPIB
Finally, BIS, judged by Pat went to Sue Randall and Ladnar Inkspot, RBIS and BOSIS to the tricolour smooth, and BVIS was also the smooth but Vanessa Cronk and her blue took BPIS.
Just to end on another positive note, in Switzerland, Oakley collies and their import, Corydon La Grand Dame, who annexed the final award to become not only at Champion but wrote her history for Corydon by becoming their 100th Champion at both home and abroad. Muffin as she is known is sired by Corydon Pol Roger out of Mejola Famous Attraction For Corydon and she is a tricolour owned by Francoise Thibaud.
Finally, just before celebrating her 1st birthday, Roughrigg Ragnfrid and Joan Barr went to Perthshire CC where she ended her puppy career with BPIB, 2nd in Graduate and then Pastoral Puppy G4 from judge Katrina Rettie (Glenfound)

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com