16th August 2024

Bournemouth Canine Association is one of my more local shows, just 30 minutes away but probably due to the fact that it is probably one of the furthest shows has never been a popular event as folk do not like to travel and as a county it is bereft of motorway access but, think again, set in rural surroundings with plenty of space for exhibitors, in/out tents and rings, it really deserves to be on the list of shows as it also offers excellent camping facilities and although in a “holiday” area, reasonable overnight accommodation can be found within easy distance of the showground.
The judge this year was local lady, Jane Stevens who holds the Lekoy affix and this was just her 2nd appointment, having judged at Paignton in 2018. An entry of just 45 waited for her and Roughs were 3rd in the ring, so I was able to keep an eye on proceedings although I was actually judging in an adjacent ring!

There were just 3 absent from this entry and again, what a day for Melissa and the Gataj collies, ably assisted by husband Graham who was able to help her out although still not in the best of health.  Here is a list of her class winners: MP was Julia Bolt and Gataj Bonnie Eddie, PD Melissa and Gataj Lewis Capaldi, both of which stood alone. Junior had 3 entered and Melissa won this with Salsina’s Red Hot Crush with Gataj. Yearling was Christine & Noel with Triburle The Joker; Julie Roberts won Graduate with Barrenclough Diamond Moon and Julia Bolt won PG with her and Anne Hollywood’s Amalie A Chance To Shine. Melissa returned to win Limit with Gataj Turn Back Time who recently gained his title. Rob & Margaret Shipp took Open with Ch No More heroes du Clos de Sea-Wind and finally Veteran was won by Alex Mills, alone with Lynmack Starman at Lemivee.
The CC, his 4th went to Ch Gataj Turn Back Time JW with RDCC also going to Melissa and her Junior winner, Salsina’s Red Hot Crush with Gataj.
A mixed Special Beginners class of 1 was won by Alex Mills with her Hanvale Edina Monsoon. Melissa won with Vichy Vuitton of Dirty Booties at Gataj, her import from Germany, then won PB with Gataj Exotic Girl. Simon and Hannah Walder made the trip down with Hanvale Patsy Stone and probably went onwards for a visit to mum, Valerie Setchell who lives nearby. Yearling & Graduate went to Alex with the l/s Hanvale Edina Monsoon at Lemivee. Di Ware, fresh from her win at Paignton won PG with Millubie Essence of Magic at Wassail and then won Limit with her Wassail Call The Midwife. Melissa then returned to the ring to take Open with the recently crowned Gataj Good Time Girl and Rob & Margaret Shipp won Veteran with Ch Gillyflower Della Buca Delle Fate.
Taking a 1st CC was the tricolour of Di Ware, Millubie Essence of Magic at Wassail, whose details were given last week following her win at Paignton. RBCC went to Melissa and Ch Gataj Good Time Girl.
Best Puppy, although he won Junior, was Salsina’s Red Hot Crush with Gataj who celebrates his first birthday on 4th September.
The 2 Veterans came in to challenge and yet another nice win for Alex Mills and her dog, Lynmack Starman at Lemivee and to make her day, she also won Best Special Beginners with Hanvale Edina Monsoon. Then later in the day, won a good G4 from Marion Sargeant with her bitch and just to make her day complete, annexed G2 in Veteran Group from Mrs J Ward.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com