2nd August 2024

Leeds at Harewood House was a Sunday this year, and being over a weekend drew a good entry for Tom Johnston MPHIL, which was his 2nd appointment for the breed having last judged at Belfast in 2022 and he had 95 entries but slightly fewer absentees than at other shows.  What a wonderful day for the Gataj kennel of Melissa Lockyer as she came home with a new Champion bitch, a 2nd CC for her dog and BPIB with a puppy. Only one of the major winners was new to our Roll of Honour so do allow me to explain.
Dog CC, his 2nd went to the winner of Limit, Gataj Turn Back Time, a sable, homebred by Perfect Timing du Clos de Sea-Wind out of Nasty Girl du Clos de Sea-Wind and he won his 1st from breed specialist Eleanor Kitchen (Seriema) at WKC in 2023. The RDCC was also in the same class and this was Phreelancer Phinal Salute for Charlotte & Denisa Vescan and I think this is his 2nd such award. Another sable he is sired by Ch Corydon The Ringleader out of Ch Phreelancer Phaith Hill. BPD was Gataj Lewis Capaldi.
Other male class winners were Jane Spendelow and Uffspring Undeniable; Tiganlea So True at Glenspey for Mrs Mason; Siluto Blue Wizzard at Amberwish won for Yvonne Ross whilst Jan Milligan and Nigel Marley won Open with Ch Alfsden He Lives In You and the ever-perennial Pedro, Ch Brooklynson El Dorado ShCx took Veteran for Marianne Benton.
Having recovered from winning the DCC, Melissa then came into MP and took that with her latest import, Vichy Vuitton of Dirty Booties (Imp Ger) then followed that with Gataj Exotic Girl who won PB. Lorraine Quince won Junior with Oakley Ice Queen for Karafaye (Imp Che). Jessopdays Its Now or Never won PG for Debbie Garside and Morag & Jim McCarte took Limit with Roughrigg One of Kind and Melissa won Open with her dual CC winning Gataj Good Time Girl. Veteran went to Nithview Country Bumpkin.
In the challenge, the CC, her 3rd went to Gataj Good Time Girl who won her 1st at Paignton last year from Rod Oldham and her 2nd from Sue Hawkins at Irish Collie. Interesting to note, this little lady has the same breeding as the Dog CC winner but she was born in 2020.  Reserve CC, also from Open, was a delighted Julie Edwards with her latest acquisition, Corisian French Tease From Shulune and I understand her previous owners/breeders were present to see this lovely win. Born 20th Oct 2017, her sire is I Am Fantastic du Bois des Amazones out of Lovely Flower du Bois des Amazones and apart from her win at the recent club open shows, this is, I think her first major award.
Not forgetting our Special Beginners class, which was a mixed class of 12, with 1 absent and this was won by Libanel Everlasting Desire for Libby Dodsworth & Elaine Amos.
In the challenge BOB went to the newly crowned bitch and was shortlisted in the group by Derek Allsopp (Sandmel). Best Puppy and also short-listed by Steve Hall was the dog pup of Melissa and Best Veteran to Pedro and Marianne who also went into the Veteran Group and under judge Sandra Marshall gained a very good Group 2 – well done

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com