Breed Notes
10th March 2023

Very many congratulations to Michelle and Ollie, who now have in their possession the wonderful BCC Silver Challenge Trophy. No doubt along with husband Jim and all, many hours will be spent reflecting on all the previous winners. Enjoy.
As you have gathered, Ch Oakland Blue Style du Clos de Sea-Wind at Zolkhan won BIS, last weekend, along with his 8th CC. Sired by Hot Chocolate du Clos de Sea-Wind out of I Have A Blue Dream du Clos de Sea-Wind he was born in February 2018 and bred by Giles & Jocelyn Mervant in France.
British Collie, always held just before the “Big Event- Crufts” held their Ch show at Coventry. The catalogue entry showed 95 entered but these did include 2 NFC entries and 1 only for the popular and well supported Champions Parade, always a highlight, along with the Ladypark Puppy Trophy presentation
Usually many exhibitors use this show to prepare their exhibits and the overall entry often reflects this fact, however, times are changing and the entry was much smaller than normal for established judges, Christine Collins, John Congdon and Stella Clarke (Astrellita) who had received a good entry of 35 smooths
Christine Collins (Triburle) last took centre stage in 2021 where she judged bitches at N&D. She had 36 males to assess and it was not too long before all her classes were completed as judging started at 10am along with a few absentees.
As is usual at BCC the final awards are completed after all the judging is finished and the Dog CC Challenge included the following winners:
Ch Jopium Stole My Heart for Lingwell and Brenda Cooney who had won Veteran, Open was Ch Oakland Blue Style du Clos de Sea-Wind for Michelle McCann; Beldones Rocket Man for Brian and Odile won Limit. ML was Gataj Out of The Woods for Melissa, Jackie Dix won PG with Barrenclough Diamond Skies and I understand he was handled by Marianne in the challenge. Graduate was won by Shanaburn Country Road and Wilma Brodie.
Gataj Turn Back Time won Puppy, Maiden & Novice whilst Gataj Lightning Flash won MP for Brenda and Trevor Perrott. Christine awarded the CC to Ollie, with 2nd in Open being called in as Ch Roughrigg Rag n Bone Man for Morag & Jim McCarte and took home yet another RCC, I think it is his 7th.  So the major awards, in males found their way back to Scotland from a Welsh judge, officiating in England.
Now to the ladies, John Congdon (Aaronwell) last judged dogs at Lancs & Cheshire last year and he had and entry of 56 bitches, along with absentees too
In his line up, he included, The Veteran lady, Ch Ladnar Inkheart for Dave & Sue Randall, Open was won by Melissa and her Ch Paradise Girl du Clos De Sea-wind for Gataj. Limit went to Mertrisa Cool Love for Val Brown. Jayne Llewellyn, having imported the now Ch Artzaiak Selina de Salsina, then imported her full sister, Artzaiak Second Hand Rose at Salsina (imp Esp) NAF, brought her to the show, her first, and won Mid Limit. Post Grad went to another Salsina, this was Salsina Secret Love Song at Avonfair, listed in the catalogue as being in the ownership of Mr Dougie Mitchell but I understand handled by Michelle.  Beldones Ebony and Ivory won Graduate for Brian and Odile.  Puppy and Novice were won by Riverside Song Wear My Kiss Mertrisa for Val Brown. Gataj Time After Time won Maiden for Val Tame; Junior went to Lynway Sun Blossom through Gerian for Gee McEntee. Minor Puppy went to Starlenga All For It for Wilma Brodie but she missed out in the challenge as she was beaten in another class.
John awarded a first CC to Jayne Llewellyn and her Artziak Second Hand Rose at Salsina, and to refresh your memory, she is sired by Stonehaven Pride Golden Touch at Salsina (Imp Hungary) out of Artzaiak So Charming, bed by J. Arumbaru Duran and born 19th June 2019. Although 2nd in the same class, Starlenga Nina Simone was called in to challenge for the RCC, but this was awarded to Val Brown and her tricolour Mertrisa Cool Love.  Sired by Ch Jopium Cool Dude for Mertrisa out of Riverside Song Tropical Love with Mertrisa (Imp Rom), born in June 2018. Best Puppy Bitch also went to Val with Riverside Song Wear My Kiss Mertrisa, sired by Beldones Napoleon out of Riverside Song Journey of Love from Aaronwell.
Sandra Wigglesworth (Sandiacre) had the honour of deciding BIS and this went to Michelle and Ollie, with RBIS to the Smooth, Coneypark Black Sabbath, and BPIS also went to a smooth, Ann French and her Breckamore Believe It or Not with the rough bitch puppy taking RBPIS. Brenda Cooney annexed Best Veteran in Show with Ch Jopium Stole My Heart at Lingwell.
A Highlight for BCC is the awarding of the Ladypark Puppy Trophy and the winner was Starlenga Nina Simone with 79 points, and just behind her was Serenlas Pumpkin Spice with 75. Kourika You’ll Do For me was 3rd with 50, followed by Avonfair Spellbound with Salsina (47); Amalunaque Arcturis Wind at Tiganlea (43); Shining Star du Clos de Sea-Wind (35); Chelborn Gambling List (34); Rannaleroch Perfect Storm (32); Takhisis Lady of Mystery (29) and finally Tamira’s Miracle Cornflake Girl for Hanvale completed the winners with 26 points
Also at BCC is chance to see previous Champions and a well filled Parade of Champions, each receiving a commemorative rosette had 17 entrants, all bar 2 smooths and 1 rough were also entered in their breed classes.
I understand that Stella was the latest recipient of the BCC Lifetime Achievement award, well done Stella for all you have done for the Breed in both Rough and Smooths, In Roughs, perhaps many may not recall but an upstanding tricolour, Astrellita Able Seaman is behind quite a few kennels still winning today. Well done Stella

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)