28th June 2024

Blackpool was held as usual in Redwood park. Inskip near Preston and is headed by Secretary Steve Hall and  ably assisted by Michaela following Steve’s recent illness good to see him back in charge, also good to see Tony Iley (Ileyda) on Committee and in some of the group photos
Congratulations to all of our Group entrants as all were short-listed in their various categories. On behalf of the breed, thank you for staying and raising the profile of our breed.
The judge was Geoff Hyde (Londer) who is approved for both Roughs and Smooth Collies along with Pekingese and he is based in Lancashire and was one-time member of Lancashire & Cheshire Collie Club Committee. Geoff last judged at Lancs & Cheshire back in 2017 which was his first appointment for Roughs
There was a good entry of 53 dogs and 53 bitches but on the day, quite a few were marked absent. Winning a 4th CC was Ch Phreelancer Chill Phactor of Elshajo, handled on the day by Julie Edwards as owner Eleri stayed home to care for her son Finlay who had not been that well. I am sure, by now, you are all aware of Ice-Man’s breeding and as both Eleri and Julie had pre-arranged “Champagne Celebrations” for his title, I am sure even more celebrations were, or will be forthcoming to celebrate this CC, as he also took BOB.
The RDCC also went to a Phreelancer, this was the recent CC winner at Southern Counties, and is Phreelancer Phinal Salute and he won Mid-Limit he is owned by Charlotte & Denisa Vescan.
Other class winners were Marianne Benton and Ch Brooklynson El Dorado JW ShCm known to all as Pedro who won Veteran. John Newton and Fiorcara Brave Explorer took  Limit. Jo Hodges won PG with her tri boy Jopium Love On The Rocks; Miss E Walton and Sassari Smudge were alone in Yearling; Junior went to Anne Hassock and her sable Camanna Cellmate. Melissa won Puppy with her Salsina Red Hot Crush with Gataj whilst MP went to Geosamka Loves to Love for Mrs S Harris.
Heading the ladies, handled by co-owner/breeder, Josh Blackburn for he and Duna Jones was Erjon Evolving Beauty. A Sable, sired by Ch Ingledene Spirit of Legend out of Erjon Evolving Star and she was born in May 2022, she won her CC from Post Grad, with yet another RCC going to Vanessa and Erica (Skabona If I Saw You In Heaven for Chelborn)
Other class winners included: Gataj Exotic Girl, alone in MP for Melissa; Avonfair A Million Dreams for Michelle Mitchell & Family but handled in the challenge by John Tipper; Jo Hodges won Yearling with Unusual Beauty des Conquetes De Don Juan at Jopium; Jim McCarte handled his and Morag’s Roughrigg One of A Kind to win Mid Limit; Maxine Mellish took Limit with Demelewis Double Take and Michelle Mitchell won Open with Avonfair A Million Love Song. Dr Lynda Boyle took Veteran with Monsolana Love Style Over Barrenclough
BOB to Ice, who then went forward to the Group and was short-listed by Keith Nathan. Melissa won BPIB with her Salsina boy and she too was short-listed as was  Vanessa who was declared Best Junior in Breed and she went forward to the group  under corgi specialist, Alan Matthews and came back with a G3 to add to her winnings. Although there is no listing for BVIB, thanks to Marianne Benton who gained this with “Pedro” she was a little confused and was originally included in the first s/l from 16 but did not feature in the final selection under Hans van den Burg.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com