13th December 2024

Some good news from Jo Hodges, her blue merle bitch has, subject to RKC Confirmation achieved the last points need to claim her Junior Warrant. Now with a JW added to her name she will be known as Unusual Beauty des Conquetes de Jon Juan at Jopium JW, I am sure Jo is pleased that she does not have to write her name out on every entry form now most entries are electronic.
Talking of entries, the British collie Club held their popular Open show at Overseal at the weekend but due to Storm Darragh, quite a few entries stayed home.
The original entry was 41, for upcoming judge Karen Johnston (Geosamka) was somewhat depleted with just 12 males and 9 bitches on parade plus those 3 from the mixed Veteran class  which was the first to be judged.
Taking best veteran was Ladnar Trust In Me for Alfsden JW for Jan Milligan and Nigel Marley, he was followed home by Ch Brooklynson Jane Russell of Oakestelle VW ShCEx who was also eligible to compete in the bitch challenge as she had only been beaten by a male
Simon & Hannah won MPD with Roughrigg The Life of Riley at Hanvale and as the only entrant in PD, added this win to his collection. Robin Blaikie and his blue merle, Kourika The Gigolo won Junior. With no entries in Maiden & Novice, the next class was Graduate with Libanel Erebus Eternal Love winning his class of 3 for Miss Gelder. Taking PG was Malouines Never Ending Story for Mrs Penachio from Co Durham.  Alfsden Endless Night won Limit for Jan & Nigel and Open went to Essenjay Against All Odds for Mrs K Phillips. Best dog went to Robin and Kourika The Gigolo with Roughrigg The Life of Riley at Hanvale taking RBD and BPD.
MPB was a nice win for Tremaro Million Dollar Baby and the winner of PB, who had been 4th in MP was Ambartr’s Dignity and Pride for Colin Bartram; Janine Hanson was alone in in Junior with her Mejola The Special One with Jards. Again no ladies present in Maiden & Novice, the next class was Graduate which Roughrigg Red Lagertha JW won for Simon & Hannah, although alone in PG, this was won by Tremaro Kind of Magic mother of the MP winner for Rob & Margaret Shipp; No ladies appeared in Limit but 2 Champions appeared in Open with Ch Hanvale Polly Shelby JW taking the honours over Ch Mejola Main Event JW. The award of Best Bitch went to Tremaro Kind of Magic with Ch Hanvale Polly Shelby in reserve. BPB was Tremaro Million Dollar Baby. BOB Rough went to Robin and his blue boy, RBOB to the bitch, BPIB to Roughrigg Life of Riley at Hanvale and BVIB to Ladnar Trust In Me for Alfsden. Smooth collies were judged by Stefani Flower (Serenlas) and she sent through Blamorder Magic Maker with Freejack to compete against the Rough.
A change from the original nominated BIS of Geoff Duffield, was to Sue Hawkins (Brilyn) as Geoff had accepted an appointment abroad to replace his wife, Gwen. Sue’s choice for BIS went to Robin with all other awards going to the smooths.
I understand that during the day, classes for Handling, were open to entries on the day with the under 18 years being won by Essanjay Fields of Gold for Firesaga with his usual handler, Henry Leese, as for the Adult handling, I do not have that information to hand.
Following the recent Rough Collie Breed Council Meeting quite a few items were discussed including compilation of A3 List Criteria as some breed clubs still request numbers over and above those the RKC require, as yet no official outcome has been resolved. Another item under discussion was the proposed changes to the Breed Standard concerning the “Highly Undesirable” clause which currently appears in 4 places in the standard. Once official confirmation is received, hopefully through these notes I can keep you updated.
Finally, with LKA on the horizon, this being the final Ch show for 2024, the Annual review of winners/breeders etc will be published in the New Year and may well differ from those published by Our Dogs as the criteria used differs.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com