27th June 2025

Following on from Border Union, where Heidi Gallagher had to remind me that I actually missed out the fact that her Stregato Silver Tassie at Gemheid won the RBCC, although I did give both Heidi and her winner a mention, I did not include her RCC win. She also reminded me that she went BB & BOB  at the YCC Open recently!  In answer to this, I can only apologise, perhaps someone else would like to take over writing breed notes as it takes up much time and deadlines also have to be met. Errors are always bound to happen and I can only do my best. So, if you want a mention and your win is at a show which is not covered by either Fosse or Higham’s, just drop me a line! I can include most wins at Open Show Level if they include a Group win or placing but am unable to report on just a BOB or BPIB etc
Blackpool was held on the Sunday and the extreme heat had lessened but was replaced with quite a breeze and some rain showers. However, this would not have taken any shine off the day for our eventual CC & BOB winner.
Anne Hassock was our judge for the day, Anne who has had a very distinguished career in breeding and judging had a nice entry of collies to assess and coming out on top was Clovis, perhaps better known as now, Ch Beldones Ivory Star. A sable owned and bred by Brian and Odile, this boy has had a spectacular show career, starting off at CA Ch show in October last tear where he won MP judged by Lene Newman and eventual BPIS from myself as BIS judge. 2025 followed and he won perhaps, nearly every class he was entered in and earlier this year he took his 1st CC at British, a Reserve BPIS at Scottish Breeds, a 2nd CC at Lancashire & Cheshire and a RDCC at Birmingham National. Born in February 2024, he is sired by Ch Camanna Codename out of Beldones Ebony and Ivory and is yet another Ch to add to the Beldones kennel for Brian & Odile. Another precocious puppy is Vince, better known as Ladnar Call My Name who won his class and the RDCC for Dave & Sue Randall and was also BPIB. Best Veteran dog was a lovely win for the much loved Starlenga Harry Potter owned by Julie Edwards and is now officially retired, having hung up his lead after this lovely win. Others to win classes were: Gataj Time Will Tell (MP) Starlenga All About Majic for Corisian JW (PG) Geosamka Loves to Love at Ithilien (ML); Shanaburn Country Road (Limit) and Ch Triburle Bluebolero who won Open.
For the ladies, a lot of organising had taken place prior to the actual show, as I understand our CC winner’s owner was away on holiday, so Avonfair Secret Love Letter to Salsina had spent time with her breeder, Michelle Mitchell who brought her to the show but was actually handled in the challenge by Christine Collins who then took her home to her owners, Jayne & Carl Llewellyn. This is her 2nd CC, having won her 1st at Driffield in 2023 from Fran Kaye. Sired by Ch Magical Moon of Lowlands Green Valley out of Salsina Secret Love Song at Avonfair. Winning the RBCC was the very recently crowned Ch Beldones Touch of Class whose details were recorded recently. BPB went to another Beldones, this was Beldones Caribbean Girl who won her MP class and BVB was a lovely win for Cariadhaf Cookies and Cream for Cambrogan and Stacy Steven. Other class winners included: Aaronwell Another Dream for Avonfair (PB); Shanaburn Midnight Kisses (J); Unusual Beauty des Conquettes de Don Juan at Jopium (PG) and Marjalu Misfit won ML.
At the end of the day, BOB went to the newly crowned sable boy who also took Best Junior in breed.  BPIB to Ladnar Call My Name and BVIB to Cariadhaf Cookies and Cream for Cambrogan. Although many stayed for their respective groups, this time unless I missed it, I could not see any placements for us.

Having dogs gives us all so much enjoyment, but even the best of wins can have their downside. Having just made up another champion, one established kennel member grew his wings and has left the Collie world with his legacy and our thoughts are with Brian and Odile.

It is not often that an “un-shown dog” has had an influence on a breed and with the recent passing of Honky Tonk Man of River Tweed, known at home as Mec,  at 14 years following just one visit to the Vet, this is exactly the situation and was he was rewarded with the accolade of Top Sire in 2023.
Having been brought to the UK from France, thanks to Bruni Furiatti. this sable boy has sired some notable winners for many. Sired by Ch Samhaven Toast Marster, out of a bitch who had some very useful breeding as her sire was a full brother to Ch Conquistador des Beldones and also carried lines to some very useful dogs, including Ch Aaronwell Antique Gold at Brilyn, Ch Sandiacre Sacre Bleu, Ch Samhaven Addiction to mention just a few. With this breeding behind him,  a reproducer of winners whose names include:
Ch Beldones Touch of Class, winner of 3 CC’s and a few reserves;  Ch Beldones Toucher du Bois winner of 3 CC’s and 3 RCC; Ch Takhisis Dream Weaver (4CC & 4RCC); Ch Takhisis Hopes and Dreams at Gataj (3CC &2RCC); Ch Beldones La Vita Bella for Hanvale (8CC & numerous RCC) just to name a few UK Champions and he also sired a French Champion.
Other CC winners, include Beldones Just for Fun at Starlenga with 1CC and Reserve CC winner Samhaven Sister Sara with Ballahanna.  It would appear that progeny from many of those named above are continuing this remarkable achievement from just one very special boy.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com