15th March 2024

Before reporting on the latest Ch shows, I have news from Jo White concerning her win with her Sable boy, Mejola Top Gun. At Wath & West Melton Open show, he took BOB and BPIB from Louise Bermingham (Bamcwt) and then topped the day off by winning the Puppy Group from Denise Rowan and was also short-listed in the adult group.
Now a quick catch up on the BCC Ch show, to celebrate the founding of the club, 100 years ago, in January 1924. You may recall that the BCC was formed following an amalgamation of the Combined Collie Club, Smooth Collie Club, The Northern Collie Club and Rough Coated Blue Merle Collie Club the committee decided that although next year, (2025) is the official Centenary of Shows for the BCC, they would start their celebration early.
All exhibitors, members or not, received a Pen and Key Ring and their charges received a “doggy bag”. As we know there have been a few changes at BCC and for the first time, the club did not honour anyone with the usual “Lifetime Achievement Award, the first recipient was my mother, Aileen Speding (Antoc) and a multitude of great “Collie Names” have followed. I am informed that this could well return for next year.
The usual Champions parade was held with Dermot & Maureen Timmins (Kynan) assisting Hon Sec Duna Jones in handing out beautiful rosettes to all recipients. I did see from the catalogue that very few Rough Champions had actually entered and were outnumbered by the Smooth fraternity  also presented at the show was the Annual Ladypark Puppy Trophy for winning pups from Ch shows. I also understand there may have been some confusion concerning the points gained as I am led to believe, regardless of the number of class wins at any one show, only 1 set of points may be claimed. Perhaps, to avoid confusion, the Points and Qualifications could be Re-published so all exhibitors are aware. Winning this was Melissa Lockyer’s Gataj All That Sparkles, followed closely by Jopium Love On The Rocks, Brilyn Shows the Difference and Brilyn Worth The Wait, Gataj Turn Back Time, Skabona If I Saw You In Heaven for Chelborn, Camanna Cellmate, Roughrigg Red Lagertha and Chantique Abracadabra completed the listing.

Now to the actual show, held at Coventry, the judges for this show were: Rod Slater (Stanlox) for males, Marie Magill (Beltra) for bitches, Birgit Hayward (Foxearth) for Smooths as BCC has an allocation for CC’s and an appointment for BIS/Referee of Anne Hassock (Camanna)
The entry for all was good and included those for the Champions Parade, some of whom did enter other breed classes. Originally, I think the figures were 52 males, 79 bitches, and 44 Smooth collies but with the usual absentees. Unusually only 2 rings were organised which meant quite a time delay for completion with “Not Before” times posted and other sub-events to complete before the day was over. I understand that for a “trial run”, committee members, Michael and Rebecca Wensley set up a video, which for those who managed to see it, the classes were interesting but for some reason best known to BCC these were removed after 24 hours! Personally, and I am sure I speak for many, if a video of classes is to be issued live, please keep it up, or if, as it seems the BCC like to use, another media channel perhaps they could let us know this would only be for a limited time as many were disappointed the following days as the videos had been removed. Surely if effort was made to video breed judging (*of course with permissions from all exhibitors) surely for next year some vast improvements could be made?

Rod Slater last judged at ACC last year and his choice for the CC, from Open was the tricolour, Kourika You’ll Do For Me owned by Robin Blaikie. Born in July 2021, he beat his father for the CC, his dam is Ch Kourika Kover Girl and this is his first major award. Standing 2nd in the same class was the RDCC winner, Chelborn That’ll Do owned by Vanessa Cronk he is another tricolour, born in July 2019, he is sired by Ch Chelborn Kiss n Tell out of Chelborn Wish List. Interesting to note that this was a Father and son duo hitting the headlines. BPD went to  Veteran was won by Brenda Cooney and her Jopium Danny Boy at Lingwell.

Marie McGill, who last judged in the UK at Border Union in 2019 and this was just her 3rd appointment for the breed. Her winner came from the Post Graduate class in the form of the blue merle Delfluvia Blue Raine for Paulara, owned by Charlene Turner and handled by Luis and bred by  Josep Martia Cabano and born 4th February 2022 and sired by Luis and Charlene’s Paulara No Where Man out of Delfluvia Skyler White and if you recall she won the RBCC Richmond last year from Stephen Clarke. Josep had luckily h ad decided to pay a “flying visit from Spain,” to BCC and were present to see Raine win. Taking the RBCC, BPB and eventual BPIS was the sable, Beldones Velvet Eyes, sired by Beldones Rocket Man out of Beldones Sound Gold and was born March last year. BVB went to Telforth Sweet Dreams to Corisian and she was also BVIS handled by Jo Brooker.
In the challenge for BOB, judged by Anne Hassock, Camanna, Louis withdrew and completed a “Lap of Honour” due to his connections with Anne and this, although it would have been allowed under KC Rules, was the sensible and ethical action and was appreciated by many. Good to see and hear that.
That left just two exhibits for BIS, the Rough dog, Kourika You’ll Do for me and the Smooth with the nod going to Robin and his tri boy.
Now as you will all know, Crufts followed on quickly and by now you should know the winners. BOB and doing well in the group was Lene Newman’s Ch Phreelancer Phaith Hill, reserve Bcc also belonging to Lene was Ingledene Crystal Vision of Phreelancer. DCC to Kourika You’ll Do For Me, with Daliyhaa Master Craftsman in reserve. BPIB to Prince of Sunlight Thrilled by the Difference at Gataj and BVIB to the ever-young Piaf, Ch/Int/Ch/Dk Ch, One Extraordinary Blu di Cambiano
Do to judging, more notes and information on Crufts next week

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com