20th September 2024

Before letting you, all know the results from yet another mid-week show with another First-Time judge, my apologies to Trevor Perrott who had let me know of his latest wins.
Trevor and his young sable boy, Gataj Lightning Flash, or as he is known at home as Benson. In between attending a few shows, recently both Trevor and Benson have taken up a new dog orientated hobby, Agility and after a few months of training along with Tanisha, he entered is first ever Agility Competition and from the 12 entries, Benson acquired  a very good 2nd placing.
Back to Darlington, held at Ripon Racecourse, this year was on a Friday, we do seem to have had so many mid-week shows this year but that is the way the calendar & show rotational days fall. Just think, for the future they could all be at Weekends.
The judge here was Miss Michelle Fort (Shulune) for her first appointment. Basically, known for Smooth Collies, which she also judged here, there have been a few Roughs in both her and mother June’s ownership
The entry on paper was 63, and according to Higham, 13 were marked absent
Here is a list of the class winners: Lynda Boyle won Veteran with Barrenclough Diamond Days JW; Morag & Jim McCarte won MPD with Roughrigg Rasgs’n’Riches; John & Caroline Tipper won PD with Tiganlea Turned to Black; Junior went to the Brooker family with Starlenga All About Majic for Corisian; Anne Hassock won with Camanna Cellmate and Jo Hodges won Limit with Jopium Love On The Rocks. Winning Open and the CC, his 6th, was Ch Gataj Turn Back Time for Melissa, fresh from her short break in Rome.  Standing 2nd in Open was Stefani Flower and her import sable, Androma Dreamcatcher at Serenlas and he was called in and awarded the RDCC. A sable from Slovenia, he is sired by the tricolour, Androma Prince Caspian who carries some Rossavon & Wicani lines out of a bitch, Touch of Gold von der Ischelbahn and was born in September 2018. Best Puppy Dog went to Morag & Jim with their MP
For the ladies, with slightly better filled classes, Sophie Wray-Ramsden won MP with Takhisis Xtraordinary Lady, followed by Melissa who won PB with Gataj Exotic Girl. Lynda Boyle took Junior with her import, Timeless Destiny Star Actis Over Barrenclough. Cathy Proctor won PG with Didek Moonshine for Cathbri. Duna Jones & Josh Blackburn won Limit with Erjon Evolving Beauty and Vanessa Cronk won Open with Ch Skabona If I Saw You In Heaven for Chelborn, Imp Sweden.
BCC went to Vanessa, with Erica, and the RBCC to Melissa and her puppy, Gataj Exotic Girl who was also declared BPB. Vanessa took BOB and handed the lead over to Isaac Preddy who handled Erica in the group but to no avail. Lynda Boyle was declared BVIB with her dog as she was the only veteran present and BPIB to Melissa and Gataj Exotic Girl.
Sadly, I have received information from Grenville Francis, Secretary of Irish Collie who has let us know that William (Billy)  McDowell died, whilst in a nursing home on 6th September. A name many may not be aware of but with his late wife, Lily, they were a considerable force in the breed during the 1970-80’s with their kennel of Rhonehill, based in N Ireland. Billy was in fact Chairman of the ICC for quite a long period and to his family, William and Stuart we extend our sympathies as by the time you read this, his funeral will have taken place.
There were some good collies bred under the Rhonehill affix, and some of these included, R Ragapan at Sindalyn;  R Rather Nice; R Redeemer at Ingledene and probably the most remembered would have been Rhonehill Royalist. Based on Rokeby & Cathanbrae lines, many good awards were achieved by this kennel.
More news next week when another  Friday show takes place with another First Time Judge for the breed, although, Roughs have been in the family as the judge is Tracy Gartland and she is the grand-daughter of Mary Tweddle owner of the famous Arcot kennel based in the North East.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com