1st August 2025

Harewood House was again the setting for Leeds, with plenty of room and good weather, sad to hear that frequent calls were still being made concerning dogs in cars…… the sooner, in my opinion, serious action is taken the better, in this warm times, cars can heat up excessively quickly and you could return to a poorly dog.

The entry, for a Friday was 59 for Ms Marion Sargeant (Ddalrus) with, according to Higham, 11 being marked absent.  This is her 2nd appointment, the first was in 2022 at National Working & Pastoral Breeds, Roughs did not start judging until about 11.30m as they followed another breed in the same ring but Marion did not take too long to find her winners.

Most of the classes were well filled, only the youngsters, in both sexes had single entries but later classes were much better filled.

The main dog  results were Ch Jopium Love on the Rocks (Rocky) taking his 4th CC for owner/breeder Jo Hodges. A tricolour, this lad gained his title earlier in the year and he is sired by Jopium Danny Boy at Lingwell out of Jopium Loves To Sparkle with Meryctin and Rocky was born in October 2022. A message from Jo to say that it was a good journey home back to Scotland, smiling,  as her other entrants, also won their classes, although the Australian Shepherd were in a ring some way away but Jo managed to win Limit with her entry.  I understand that 2nd in Open, handled by Linda Lester, Chelborn’s Gambling List was called in but the RCC actually went to Sophie Wray-Ramsden. From whom I got a lovely Message and this confirmed a RDCC for her Takhisis Daggers at Dawn JW, known as Monty,  who took the RDCC from Limit. Sired by Hello Spank of Emiber, who I think carries a Polish Ch title, out of Takhisis Midsummer Dawn and he has just celebrated his 2nd birthday and he adds this RDCC to the 2 won previously.
Interesting to note that both of the main winners were also in “other breeds” and both celebrated wins, along with another “ex-collie” breeder, Karen McDevitt who also attended Leeds with her entries in ASD and this breed was judged by Tom Johnston.

Dr Lynda Boyle won Special Beginners D/B with Timeless Destiny Star Actis over Barrenclough JW whilst Melissa was alone in MP with Gataj Strike It Lucky and then changed leads as she was the only entrant in Puppy with Gataj Time Will Tell. Also, alone in Junior was Jan Williams with her Essanjay Ring of Fire. PG had 6 present with Tiganlea So True at Glenspey taking this class for Mrs Mason. Veteran was won by Jo Williams and Ch Mejola Fate and Fortune who took this class of 3.

In the ladies, what a great day Brian and Odile had, as they won not only the BCC but also the RBCC. The CC went to Beldones Velvet Eyes, a sable who won lovely Limit class. She is sired by Ch Beldones Rocket Man out of Beldones Sound Gold and she was born March 2023. The RBCC was Beldones Just for Fun at Starlenga who won Open. Sired by the late Honky Tonk Man of River Tweed out of Ch Beldones Looks Like Fun and she was born in 2021 and she already holds a CC for her record.

Other class winners for the ladies included MPB and Melissa with the single entrant, Gataj Struck By Love. Ormordha Sweet Tooth won PB for Catherine Moore and she too was alone. Lynda Watt took Junior with Culbrae Charmed Again and Cathy Proctor won PG with Didek Moonshine for Cathbri and Marianne and Keira won Veteran, although alone.

Marion chose the bitch for BOB and she put up a good show in the group, handled by Odile, under Patsy Hollins, Melissa engaged the use of husband Graham during challenges with her 3 different puppy winners and came back to win BPIB with the dog, Gataj Time Will Tell. I have not seen any PP group results yet. Marianne took BVIB with Ch Brooklynson Jane Russell of Oakestelle VW ShCEx with Jacquie Ward doing this group and Lynda Boyle had Kevin Young officiating over the SB group and she too was pleased to report that she was short-listed with her bitch

A few days of rest and some gathered at the KC Building at Stoneleigh, where Midland Collie had moved from their normal venue of Edingale Village Hall to Stoneleigh where I believe all judging took place outdoors.
Firstly, I must thank Sophie Wray-Ramsden for all the updates during the event and copies of class results, virtually as it happened. This is really appreciated, please accept my thanks. Also, to Jo Williams, who as an exhibitor, also sent much information.

There have also been a few minor changes in committee duties here at MCC, with Simon Walder, husband to Secretary, Hannah, now taking over the post of Show Secretary, which must make life easier for wife, Hannah as any issues can quickly be settled “in house” and he is also in charge of most publicity issues along with publishing their club site and is Vice Chairperson and Health & Safety Officer. Although Andre Scott is Show Manager, MCC also have an Asst Show Manager in Jake Walsh, whilst Michelle Davis is Cup Steward

Sophie, along with keeping us all up to date with results is, Treasurer and Health Co-Ordinator. All of these under the Presidency of Brian Hawkins and both John & Jean Catliff and Pat Wilkinson are Listed as Patrons, along with a few Life Members and supporting Committee of Alex  Mills, Jan Milligan, Denisa Vescan, Lene Newman and Kay Hateley.

Despite extending entries, the final entry figures were 56 including 1 NFC but actually present on the day were just 37 comprising 14 males and 21 females.

This was for judges Fay Hutchings (Collidach) and Charlotte Vescan. Fay is associated with Dachshunds nowadays but had quite a few winners in Smooth Collies although, according to her “Judges CV” as a youngster, her parents did own Roughs

Charlotte is on the Committee of MCC, and had being doing very well with her Phreelancer Phinal Salute until his sudden, untimely death recently but at Leeds, she won the DCC with her and Denisa’s entry Peacemaker Apache Baltas Vejas Imp Ltu in Ibizan Hounds.

Prior to the show, Secretary Hannah donned on her “Chef’s Hat” and produced, for those who ordered them at £5.00 per person the Annual  Picnic Hampers which were enjoyed by all.
Judging started at 11am, a sensible time for those who had to make a long journey with the mixed Baby Puppy Class of 2. Taking the honours here was Phreelancer Phrock Design for Lene Newman  beating Jo Williams, with Mejola Edge of Glory both young ladies making their debut.
Jo Williams and Ch Mejola Fate and Fortune won Veteran, and with no MPD and the PD absent, Junior went to Corydon The Baronet for Miranda. Novice was absent and no Graduate males entered, so PG with 3, was won by Didek Once In A Blue Moon and the Derek & Dianna Farthing . Limit was won by Jo and Mejola Top Gun and Open went to Corydon The Grandmaster and Miranda who also annexed BD with Maverick, (Mejola Top Gun) in Reserve. There were no Puppies but Veteran also went to Jo with her blue boy.

Charlotte Vescan judged the SAC classes in between dogs and bitches, and she had a entry of all seen dogs, with her winners being: Michelle & Jakes Wicani Bellissima; Miranda with Corydon The Baronet and Phreelancer Pheel It Still

Bitches commenced with Veteran and Demelewis Double Dare won this for Maxine,  followed by MP and Lynmead Designer Tipple for Collingvale and jane Margetts. Puppy went to Michelle Davis and Jake Walsh, handling with Wicani Bellissima. Junior had Ambartr’s Dignity and Pride for Colin Bartram who also stood alone, but won Novice. Graduate was a nice win for Lorraine Quince and her Oakley Ice Queen for Karafaye who made the journey down from Scotland. Gill Whittaker won PG with Siluto Blueberry Mist JW. Limit was won by Phreelancer Pheel It Still and Lene Newman whilst Georgina Howard won Open with her Gib Ch Serenlas Angel of Casatentola.

Fay chose Lene and her Limit winner for BB with 2nd from the same class, Chelborn Tell Me Your Wish as RBB. BPB to Michelle and Jake, BVB to Maxine

BOB and ultimate BIS was the sable boy, Corydon The Grandmaster, RBIS to Lene and Phreelancer Pheel It Still. BVIS to Ch Mejola Fate and Fortune and with no puppy males, an automatic award of BPIS to Wicani Bellissima.

Interesting to note that Miranda has let us know that most of these winners have connections to her Taz, the late Ch Corydon The Ringleader as “Grandmaster, known as Kaspar is a Grandson who won his class and had dad, John taking exercise by a run around the ring in the challenge., the baby pups were also grand children and Lene’s winners, one is sired by the late Phreelancer Phinal Salute at her first ever show and the other by Ingledene Well Sooted.

So, the day ended and by about 2pm, having spent time over a lovely lunch and chatting most exhibitors found their way home. Well done to MCC for a super  relaxed and enjoyable event.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com