Breed Notes
31st March 2023

Before reporting on some of the shows this weekend, let me update you with some winners from last weekend.
Lucy Primmer and her tri baby, along with Monica Wells who is a co-owner went to Woolwich & Bexley District at Maidstone where Marion Hodgson (Ddalrus) was judging and came back some with lovely wins, including BPIB, BOB and Pastoral Puppy G1. According to Monica, Lucy is still in “shock” as she has only recently ventured into the show ring along with Riverside Song Paloma Nera at Colcanis (Imp Rom).
Another good win, this time for Miranda Blake and Bruiser (actually Corydon The Baron), who attended Retford & DCS and brought home, not only BPIB but Pastoral Puppy G1 from Jacky Cutler (Lankeela) who judged both the breed and groups and found her bOB in Hazel & Derek Allsopp’s tri boy, Enzo who is really enjoying a few good wins recently and although short listed to the final 8 from 21, went no further.
Val Geddes attended her local show, where, if memory serves be well has taken not only BOB but also many group places in the past and again today when Denis Beardsworth (Maysinder) judged, repeated these awards. From the depleted entry of 6, Val won BOB with the dual CC winning Ingledene Fantasy of Blu, who was also BOB and G2 last year. Her puppy, handled in the challenge by Stefani Flower, Ingledene Sno Flurry won BPIB, Pastoral Puppy G1 the judges for the groups and breed were husband and wife, Simon and Pauline Luxmore Bell and finally she eventually went BPIS. To add to Val’s lovely day, I Fantasy of Blu was also BPIS 3. Well done to all concerned.
I have heard some sad news from the West County as I have to report if the deaths of 2 established breeders/exhibitors. Firstly Sylvia Evans who had the Nutslade kennel and was very active during the 1980’s, was showing at many of the local shows including West of England Collie Society. The “Nutslade” collies were mainly based on local kennels, including some of John Congdon’s Aaronwells and the Samhaven’s of Alison Grainger when she lived locally. Many achieved KCSB numbers including Nutslade Blue Denam for Jotars and Pickled Pumpkin, both campaigned by Sharon Gladwell, along with Latin Lover, Winter Rain, Teala just to name a few.
Now to Patricia Harrison, originally based in the Midlands where she had success showing a few collies, namely Bhyllsacre Royal Gift at Shorrain, a son of Ch Mybern’s Mandane and also bred a litter sired by Rene’s Bracken of Bhyllsacre. A move to the West Country saw her take up a new interest in Australian Shepherds where she had even more success. Husband Peter died in 2010 and life was changed but she still kept many of her collie friends and made more in her new breed. Her funeral will be held 28th March at St Mary’s Church, Cerne Abbas at 1pm
To all concerned, especially to Lorraine Baker, Sylvia’s daughter and Royston Conway we do send our thoughts.
This last weekend saw two shows in Scotland, the first being Ayrshire Collie, headed by Sec Morag McCarte who had the difficult task of changing dates/venues and checking judges’ availability when Scottish Breeds Ch show also altered their original dates. Not only dealing with these issues, due to health and accidents to committee members collies, all of whom are now recovering, with the help of Mary Hobkirk, the committee produced a good show enjoyed by all who attended.
ACC had Judge Michelle Davis judging at the Crawfordjohn Community Hall with an entry of 50 but, as to be expected, many absentees. Jake Walsh was judging the SAC classes and found his winners in Gataj Turn Back Time, Millubie Rewind and Gataj Good Time Girl
Now to the main classes, with no one present in Veteran Dog or Bitch, Starlenga Turn Back Time won Puppy and Maiden Junior went to Thistlewings Andromeda who was alone, whilst Shanaburn Country Road won yearling which also had 2 present. Graduate had 6 entries, with 1 missing and winning this was Millubie Raz Mataz (Imp Serbia) Kourika Frosted Ice won PG and the Limit winner was Gataj Out of The Woods. The only entry in Open was absent. So, in the final line up, BD went to Gataj Out Of The Woods, RBD to Kourika Frosted Ice and BPD to Starlenga Turn Back Time.
In bitches, MP was won by Starlenga All For It, who also won Maiden, Puppy to Gataj Someone You Loved, Roughrigg One of A Kind win Junior and another Starlenga, this time Nina Simone won Yearling. Novice went to Thistlewing Magic Lady. Graduate was Millubie Rewind (Imp Serbia). PG went to Riverside Song For D’Luna at Scottyre. The only entry in Limit was Gataj Good Time Girl and Ch Paradise Girl du Clos de Sea-Wind for Gataj (Imp Fra) took Open
The final awards were: BB to Ch Paradise Girl, RBB was Thistlewing Magic Lady and BPB to Starlenga All For It.
In the final challenge BIS went to Melissa and her Ch, RBIS to a delighted Brenda Welsh and BPIS to the dog pup. Starlenga Just As Well belonging to the  Walkers. So ended a happy day for many and some prepared to stay over for the following day at Scottish Breeds.
Sunday dawned with many collie folk descending on the Lawrie & Symington Agricultural Centre at Lanark for the assessment of Judge Andre Scott (Chantique)
Andre last judged London & Provincial, males in 2021 but interestingly, his first ever appointment for the breed was at Scottish Breeds back in 2007. His entry today of was 19 males and 33 bitches, with 3 dogs and 8 bitches absent. The dog CC winner was announced about 10.15 and Andre’s choice was his RCC at his previous appointment. Now taking a 9th CC was Ollie, Ch Oakland Blue Style Du Clos De Sea-Wind at Zolkhan, owned by Michelle McCann and moved by Michelle Mitchell and he won Open. Second in Open was called in and yet another RCC went home with Rory, piloted by Jim McCarte, Ch Roughrigg Rag’n’Bone Man, now on 8 Rcc’s. Also in the challenge were: Melissa Locker who had stood alone in Puppy with Gataj Turn Back Time; John Congdon won Junior with Aaronwell Ain’t He A Saint, Shanaburn Country Road for Wilma Brodie won Yearling and Nancy Houlihan and Kourika Frosted Ice won Graduate; PG went to Tracy Brightmore and Millubie Razzmatazz; Limit was won by Corisian Parisian Magic handled as usual by Jo Brooker for her, Pat and Emma. Finally, completing the line up, winning Veteran was the tri, Xcode Della Bucca Delle Fate at Rannaleroch who had been alone in his class.
Now to the ladies, Wilma Brodie won MP with Starlenga All For It, Melissa won Puppy with Gataj Someone You Loved. Michelle Mitchell piloted her Avonfair A Million Lovesong to win not only Junior, but also Yearling and Graduate, then changed her charge to Salsina Secret Lovesong at Avonfair to win PG. Limit had Jayne Llewellyn winning with her new import, Artzaiak Second Hand Rose at Salsina and then she too changed leads to win Open with the litter sister, now a Champion, but not listed as such in the catalogue, Ch Artzaiak Selina de Salsina to win the CC.  Ch Paradise Girl du Clos de Sea-Wind for Gataj,handled by Graham was called in to receive the RCC. Best puppy bitch was Starlenga All For It.
Special Beginners dog was won by Thistlewings Andromeda and in bitches, Uffspring Uniquely Mayd for Whitecraigs won and was declared Best Spl Beginners. I am not sure if they waited for the group as I could not find any video of it. The same for the Veteran winner too.
The final awards, judged just before noon, resulted in BOB to local lass, Michelle McCann and Ollie, BPIB to Starlenga All For It, Best Junior to Michelle Mitchell and Avonfair A Million Lovesong and the only Veteran present, Xcode Della Bucca Delle Fate at Rannaleroch took BVIB. The group / BIS was judged by Graham Hill but to no avail, however, a quick look through the stakes classes, all judged by Gordon Haran (Macgregor) shows a few good wins for the breed. Michelle Mitchell showed her Avonfair A Million Love Song in both AV Junior and AV Yearling and came out with Product vouchers for being placed 1st and 2nd. Then she handled Ollie, for Michelle McCann in the Ch Stakes to take a good 2nd place and £15 prize money.
Grateful thanks to all who posted photos and information from this show, you do know who you are, as without these, the notes would be even more difficult to produce, especially with deadlines.
Next week, I shall be looking at the recent BRS which now includes the registration figures for the whole year, and, as we are aware, our breed numbers are sadly declining.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)