18th October 2024

Another Friday show followed by a celebratory 90th Anniversary show completed the weekend dog showing activities.
Firstly, at SWKA, on Friday, all gathered at Builth for another first-time awarding CC’s, although Tracy Gartland is no stranger to the dog world as her grandmother was the well-known Mary Tweddle of Arcot fame from the North-East but recently Tracy has been having success with her line of Shetland Sheepdogs under the same Arcot affix.
From an entry of 32 males and 29 ladies, we emerged with another new Champion and a BOB, shortlisted in the group. I quickly looked through the Stakes classes and could find no winners in Roughs.
Taking his 3rd CC and crown, finally following a few reserve CC’s was Brian and Odile’s sable, now Ch Beldones Toucher du Bois. Sired by Honky Tonk Man of River Tweed out of Ch Beldones Enable, his 1st came from Barry Croft at SKC, last year and his 2nd at Border Union this year from Jeff Luscott and he won Open. Taking the RDCC, from Junior was another lovely win for Michelle Mitchell showing Avonfair Aloysius JW from Junior. Today he is owned, as listed by Mr D(Doug) and Mrs M, and Mitchell & Jordan, so perhaps the entry where he was listed as being in sole ownership was incorrect. Perhaps either Michelle or someone could clarify this for all concerned.
Winning BPD was Beldones Diamond Touch for Glenbowdene and Sheila Telford. Other class winners included: Dr Lynda Boyle and Barrenclough Diamond Days JW, Veteran. Geosamka Loves to Love at Ithilien for Mrs Harris; Starlenga All About Majic for Corisian for the Brooker family who won PG. Jo Hodges and Jopium Love On The Rocks won Limit whilst Lynda Boyle won Good Citizen with Barrenclough Heart of Gold JW
Now to the ladies, taking the CC and BOB was Ch Chelborn Wish List. This, I think was her 5th CC. Sired by Chelborn Decision out of Ch Chelborn Kiss ’n’Desire and she is a sable and won Open.
Hannah Lyall won VB with Santaloly’s Sky Amidalas;  Melissa took MP with Gataj Time for Love and followed this with Gataj Exotic Girl taking PB  with Time For Love being declared BPB. Julie Growcott won Junior with her Chantique Sent From heaven for Lillyway. Lynda Boyle who had been 2nd in the previous class then won PG with her Timeless Destiny Star Actis Over Barrenclough; Riverside Song Nebraska at Aaronwell (Imp Rom) won Limit and Good Citizens went o Hannah Lyall.
BOB, as mentioned went to Vanessa who was much appreciative of the commemorative diploma, offered by SWKA confirming her short list in the Group under Jenny Miller.
BP went to Melissa and although she appeared, I cannot confirm if she was listed or not and also, I heard that all puppy groups were pre-judged by Jeff Luscott beforehand.
With little time to rest, exhibitors left Builth to make their way to Stoneleigh for the 90th Anniversary show for the Collie Association
Collie Association celebrated in style, their 90th Anniversary show, with each exhibitor receiving a commerative metal water bottle for use with either hot or cold drinks  and tables groaning with superb raffle prizes and beautiful rosettes for all to win.
Maybe the incentive of Cash Specials for BIS (£100 donated by Dave & Sue Randall), £50 for RBIS from Trevor Hayward; BPIS won £25  was donated by Sheila Telford; BVIS also had £25 from Eleanor Kitchen. BIS also won a Royal Doulton model kindly donated by Club Patron, Derek Smith., Also extra donations of BVD & BVB from Ian Entwistle, who, prior to the show had genoursly donated a lovely model of a Collie made by the Griffiths brothers to help boost Club Funds. Embroidered towels for the main winners, increased the entry to a superb 120 Roughs and 37 Smooths
All of this was organised by Secretary, Sheila Telford, who along with the small committee had decided to move from their November date to a new date and new venue at the KC Building, Stoneleigh and this certainly paid off although I understand the show returns to its usual date next year but remains at the KC Building.
One aspect, very much appreciated by those attending, were the refreshments, and they were extremely suitably priced and by the end of the day, Tracey Wilkinson Rankin, Joanna Lake and mum Pat Wilkinson who were rushed off their feet and actually sold out of all the food on offer, so good was the selection of hot/cold food or soups and delicious sweets that were available. Mention must be made too of the delightful Cup Cakes (all different flavours and carrying the CA logo) and wine on offer to celebrate the event.
The judges for this event were Lene Newman (Phreelancer) for the males, Jo Hodges (Jopium) for the ladies, Smooths for Jenny Miller (Feorlig) and BOB Rough and overall BIS to Carole Smedley (Antoc)
Taking a 2nd CC, from his home in Sweden, was the sable dog, Int/Fi/DK/NO/LT Ch Skabona Mix’n’Match owned by Bo & Natalia Skalin. To refresh your memories, he is a sable, sired by the multi-titled Rejejs Oriental Milk Chocolate out of Ch Skabona Secret Game and he was born January 2019. He won his first UK CC from Maxine Mellish (Demelewis) at Midland Counties last year and he won Open. Standing 2nd in the same class was the recent dual CC winning tricolour of Tom Wall, who had just taken 2CC’s recently, and RDCC at Crufts, this was Hugo, better known at Daliyhaa Master Craftsman whose breeding was given recently. BPD was Beldones Ivory Star who won from MP and is owned and bred by Brian & Odile. Best Veteran went to Jo Williams and her blue, Ch Mejola Fate and Fortune ShCEx.
Jo Hodges found her winner in the tri bitch, Millubie Essence of Magic at Wassail (Imp Ser) and she too was winning her 2nd CC, the first having come at Bournemouth this year from Jane Stevens. She is sired by Millubie Countdown out of Millubie Game of Magic and she is owned by Di Ware and won Limit to great applause. Taking the RBCC was the Open winner, handled by Sue Hawkins for partner John Congdon, and this was the dual CC winning sable, Riverside Song Desiderata at Aaronwell (Imp Rom). Bred by Olivia Cruscov sired by Alsting New Horizon out of Lullaby du Clos de Sea-Wind and was born in July 2019. Best Puppy Bitch was Brian & Odile with Beldones Classic Touch with Ch Brooklynson Jane Russell of Oakestelle VW ShCex owned by Marianne Benton taking Veteran bitch.
Before the smooths were judged, BOB Rough was judged by Carole Smedley, who awarded this to Di Ware and her young tri bitch, RBOB to Natalia and Dixon, BVIB to Keira and Marianne with Brian handling the dog puppy to beat Odile for BPIB.
Jenny then judged the smooths and found her BOB in Cathy Howard’s Ch Brackenhaye Heartbreaker at Shandlmain who then remained to compete for overall BIS. This went to a rather “stunned Di Ware and Hattie” with all other awards going to the roughs, and so ended a lovely show day with many folk staying to the end to celebrate a wonderful 90th Anniversary show – well done CA.
Finally, sad news in from Janet James (Deanjan) to let us know that Maurice Haslam (Lyswood) passed recently and a full tribute will appear next week

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com