By now you all should have recovered from your Annual trip to the NEC and Crufts! And you all know the results, so at the risk of repeating them, here goes.
The judges were Viv Anderton (Karava) for the ladies and myself for the males. With a late start there was plenty of time for us both to judge our respective entries, which were 96/108 and 119/147 making a total of 215/257. The 3rd highest in the Pastoral Group. The numbers may seem high, considering our fall in registrations but the lower classes in both sexes had a shortage of entries, showing the lack of new pups and young adults. The later classes in both sexes were well filled especially both the Veteran classes. I think that says much!
Viv Anderton last judged a few years back and this appointment was another transferred from the “Covid era”. I last judged in 2022 and after this appointment, my 5th at Crufts, I will not be accepting any further Rough breed appointments.
Now back to Crufts, and I think we really should be celebrating Lene Newman for not only her wonderful day but also her achievements in the breed as this bitch is not the first “Phreelancer” to win here. Lene started in Norway with her own Phreelancer kennel and was, of course, the clever breeder of the breed record holder Ch Phreelancer Phrosty Moon over Corydon who took the CC & BOB at Crufts on 4 separate occasions and recently Lene has produced quite a few Champions living at home.
Viv’s choice for BCC was Ch Phreelancer Phaith Hill, a tri bitch, handled on the day by a close friend of Lene, Henriette Hansen (also from Norway who has the Breezdon kennels) and was given this opportunity by Lene who had the joy of not only winning the BCC but also the RBCC with her other charge, Ingledene Crystal Vision of Phreelancer who won from Yearling. Jess, the CC winner, and in total agreement of both judges, she was sent forward to the group for Barrie Croft and put up a good performance. Winning her 4th CC, having gained her title last year, she is sired by Ch Beldones Black Illusion out of Phreelancer Phond Memories and she was born March 2017. The RBCC was Ingledene Crystal Vision of Phreelancer, bred by John & Val Geddes, and her sire is Ingledene Well Sooted (a son of Black Illusion) out of Ingledene Sno Wanda and recently took the RCC at Midland Collie. Best Veteran Bitch was a nice win from an original class of 21 (6 absent) for Beloreen Starlight. BPB was another win for Sue Hawkins handling John Congdon’s Aaronwell Able Mabel.
In dogs, my choice for the CC came from Limit, in the form of Robin Blaikie and Kourika You’ll Do For Me winning his 2nd CC. Sired by Chelborn That’ll Do out of Ch Kourika Kover Girl, to whom I awarded the CC to previously. The Reserve went to the winner of Open, Daliyhaa Master Craftsman, a tri owned by Tom Wall. He is sired by Ch Beldones Blue Echo out of Daliyhaa Isadorable and arrived from Co Kildare, Eire. He celebrates his birthday at the end of this month.
Best Veteran and eventual BVIB went to the well-known Ch/Multi Ch/Int Ch One Extraordinary Blu di Cambiano, owned by Gianpaulo Falletto and bred by Maria-Terese Garabelli (di Cambiano). Winner of BVIB at the recent World Show and I think 14 UK CC’s before returning home. He travelled from Italy to meet his long-term UK handler, Valerie Geddes. BPD was a sable boy, Melissa Lockyer and Prince of Sunlight Thrilled by The Difference to Gataj and he originated in Hungary.
I did notice it was somewhat busy around ring side with much interference from those queuing to access the main Ring to watch other speciality events but did make it difficult for many to enter the rings.
Prior to judging in both rings, I understand that Hannah Walder, (Hanvale), who was accompanied by husband Simon and 3 of their entries, had made a request to have the breed featured and this took place in the dog ring  and generally promoting the breed. Well Done.
Showing their 3 rough bitches, which I think  included Ch Beldones La Vita Bella at Hanvale, her daughter, Ch Hanvale Polly Shelby,and the MP entrant, Hanvale Patsy Stone, but stand to be corrected.  Later Hannah was the instigator of the post judging buffet which I think was appreciated by many. Maybe as in previous years the proceeds went to Collie Rescue  but I cannot confirm this.
Sadly, as can happen, being up on Cloud 9 one day, Robin was brought back to earth as a few days later, he had to make the decision to let Ch Willowdene Double or Quits at Wassail go to the Rainbow Bridge. A very influential boy in the Kourika kennel, as he was also the sire of Ch Kourika Kover Girl, dam of the CC winner.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com