23rd May 2025

Where do you go to celebrate when there are 6 CC’s and 6 rcc’s on offer? Only one place this last weekend, this was Scotland, where the SKC held their dual Ch Show followed by the Club Ch Show of Scottish Collie.
This weekend resulted in a wonderful treble, for an already “double winning dog”; a first-time judge, two new Champions, a double for an overseas kennel, second CC’s for a few and some new names to be added to our roll of honour plus memories for many and few very tired but happy owners and few who hoped to do well but accepted their placings with courtesy.
So, I will try and explain it all for you. SKC held both their May and August Ch shows over 4 days and a few teething issues but on the whole, it was accepted by all as a good move and I understand that many of the groups were “Pre-Judged” to save time and in our breed, both sets of CC’s were offered in the same ring
The first of the dual shows was judged by Karen McDevitt (Caronlea), with an entry of 26 dogs and 46 females. Karen last judged here in the UK at Scottish Breeds in 2022 and prior to that on her first appointment at Richmond in 2018.
There was an interesting mix of dogs in the challenge, including: Ballahanna Betrayed who won Puppy for Liam Kelly, Roughrigg Rags’n’riches for Morag & Jim McCarte; Avonfair Aloysius for Michelle Mitchell and family; Wilma Brodie and Shanaburn Country Road took Limit and Ir Ch Daliyhaa Master Craftsman and Tom Wall who won Open with Michelle McCann’s Ch Oakland Blue Style du Clos de Seawind at Zolkhan completing the line up having won Veteran.
The CC, and his crown went to  Ir Daliyhaa Master Craftsman, a tricolour, owned and bred by Tom Wall. He is sired by Ch Beldones Blue Echo out of Daliyhaa Isadorable, who is a daughter of Tom’s Hawkfield’s Return to Sender at Joshren at Daliyhaa who spent some time with Tom before returning to his home base with Satu Havukainen in Finland .  Hugo, as he is known at home completed his title as he had already won his previous CC’s from Charlotte Hoier and Paul Battigan and also the RDCC at Crufts, so was no stranger to winning as he also has a few other RCC wins to his name and now adds UK Ch to his existing Ir Ch title.
Although the 2nd in Open (Corydon Christopher) was called in for the RDCC, this was awarded to Avonfair Aloysius, a sable owned by the Mitchell family but always shown by Michelle.  Sired by Born To Be Your Quite Famous Lynmead out of Avonfair A Million Love Song JW and this was his 2nd such award. BPD was Liam Kelly with Ballahanna Betrayed, another sable, sired by Ballahanna All Guns Blazin out of Samhaven Sister Sara to Ballahanna.
Now to the ladies and in the first class, MP, all awards were with-held. Puppy followed and Jo Hodges took this with Jopium Follow My Heart, who also won Junior. Simon Walder and Hanvale Patsy Stone won Yearling; John & Caroline Tipper made the journey up to attend the show and won PG with Valentine Gucci Angel Silvestre at Tiganlea, who is a daughter of Tiganlea True Hero; Sue handled John’s Riverside Song Nebraska at Aaronwell (Imp Rom) to win Limit. Anne Kokkonen and Natalia Skalin won Open with their recent UK CC winner, Skabona Too Good To Be True, or  Ingrid, to her friends. No veteran ladies appeared and SBB went to Beldones Clementine avec Coloratura for Elspeth Rose who then won Good Citizens with kennel mate, Uffspring Ultravox for Coloratura, both had been entered in previous classes.
Taking her 2nd UK CC was Natalia Skalin handling Ingrid, multi-titled Skabona Too Good To Be True for her and Anne Kokkonen. RBCC went to Simon handling Hanvale Patsy Stone, her 2nd such award in a few days. In the final challenge for BOB, this fell to Ingrid with Jo Hodges taking BPIB with Jopium Follow My Heart who was short-listed in the Puppy Group under Maria Harding. BVIB was Michelle McCann and Ch Oakland Blue Style du Clos de Seawind at Zolkhan who is now just a veteran being born in 2018.
Quite quickly, the exhibitors for the 2nd set of CC’s were called to the same ring for Michelle Davis, making her debut as a Ch show judge having recently judged the AICSS show in Ireland.  Michelle, along with grandson Jake Walsh have a small kennel, Rosschell, who now appear to be specialising in ASD, although young Jake has a new Rough puppy in joint ownership with Michelle and therefore was unable to show here.
With approx. a similar entry to that of Karen, the class winners were as follows: Liam Kelly with Ballahanna Betrayed; Roughrigg Rags’n’Riches; Kelly Crawford won PG with Stregato Foolish Guy for Delseirios; Shanaburn Country Road, Daliyhaa Master Craftsman won Open with Ch Oakland Blue Style du Clos de Seawind for Zolkhan winning Veteran. There were no entries in either Special Beginners or Good Citizen. A quick 4th CC was won by Tom and Hugo, and a lovely RCC and eventual BPD and BPIB to Liam Kelly and Ballahanna Betrayed. A sable, sired by Ballahanna All Guns Blazin’ out of Samhaven Sister Sara to Ballahanna.
Now to the ladies, her choice of class winners included: Brilyn’s Breckamore Crimson Embers for Sue Hawkins who won MP; Jopium Follow My Heart won both Puppy and Junior. Hanvale Patsy Stone won Yearling; Unusual Beauty des Conquetes de Don Juan at Jopium JW took PG and Starlenga Nina Simone won Limit. Winning Open was another blue merle, Ir Ch Skabona What A Lady at Joshren, in the ownership of John, Mary and Alan Walsh based in Ireland. However, due to prior commitments and exams at Uni,  Viva was brought to the show by Justina Masiule and Monika Barauskaite who then handed Viva over to Lana and Katya Robinson, Lavika Shetland Sheepdogs, for care on show day who did an excellent job of grooming and handled by Lana, won her 2nd UK CC, having won her 1st from Sally Duffin last year at Belfast. Standing 2nd in the same class was the winner at the previous show, Ingrid, but the RBCC went to Starlenga Nina Simone for Jayne. She recently won the same award and she is sired by Starlenga All That Jazz from Aaronwell out of Beldones Baby Think Twice.
Veteran went to Jo Brooker and the ever youthful Telforth Sweet Dreams for Corisian who was BVIB. Elspeth also won Sp Beginners with Beldones Clementine avec Coloratura. BPIB was another win for Liam and Ballahanna Betrayed.

After a good night’s sleep (for some) many re- gathered at Carluke Lifestyles venue for Scottish Collie Ch Show where an entry of 72 awaited the two appointed judges, Valerie Geddes and Lyn Maxwell with Terry Carlton appointed for Baby Puppy and BIS, there were, of course, the usual absentees.
Very many thanks to Alyson Carmichael who promptly sent down a fully marked catalogue – this is very much appreciated.
Valerie Geddes (Ingledene) started with the dogs, she last judged as a replacement judge at CA in 2022 and before that at L&C. – Although scheduled in both sexes, there were no Baby Puppies entered. The first class went to  Liam Kelly won Puppy, Junior to Rachel Tilley and her Gemheid May’d of Amber with Detillo. There were no entries in Yearling, Maiden or Novice. Graduate  was won by Didek Eclipse of the Moon for Derrick & Diane Farthing. Post Grad was a nice win for Nancy Houlihan and her Kourika Frosted Ice. Phreelancer Phinal Salute took Limit for Charlotte Vescan and Open went to Tom & Hugo. Veteran had Wilmaranna Out of the Blue for Cathbri winning for Cathy Proctor.
Taking his 3rd CC in row, was Ch/Ir Daliyhaa Master Craftsman, completing a rare treble of CC wins. Although called in to challenge for the RDCC, Ch Phreelancer Chill Factor had to give way to another bred by Lene Newman, the Limit winner, Charlotte and her sable boy. BPD was Ballahanna Betrayed.
A change of judge, this was now Lyn Maxwell (Aintshe) for the ladies. She last judged at Driffield in 2022.
Winning for the ladies were: Michelle Davis and Jake Walsh and Wicani Bellissima Rosschell; Jo Hodges repeated her previous show wins with Jopium Follow My Heart who won not only Puppy and Junior and now has her JW; Simon won again with Hanvale Patsy Stone; Maiden went to Michelle and Jake; Novice to Michelle Mitchell and her Aaronwell Another Dream for Avonfair; Riverside Song Thrills of the Night at Scottyre annexed Graduate for Isobel Hutchings. Didek Moonshine for Cathbri won PG for Cathy Proctor;  Jayne Llewellyn won Limit with Nina Simone and Open went to Morag & Jim McCarte with Roughrigg Remember Me and another Veteran win was recorded for Telforth Sweet Dreams to Corisian and Jo Brooker.
Lyn had the pleasure of awarding a 3rd CC to Jim McCarte and his sable, interesting to note, last time she judged, she gave the RDCC to Roughrigg Rag’n’Bone Man, who incidentally is the same way bred as Mia who is the result of a repeat mating that produced Rory. Sired by Lynmack Walk All Over You at Roughrigg out of Beldones Fun’nGames at Roughrigg. Her CC’s have all been won this year, with a 1st at BCC from Mike Vincent, a 2nd at Scottish Breeds from Christine Collins and also include a RBCC in 2022 from Dermot Timmins.
What a thrill for Cathy Proctor as she was awarded the RBCC with her tri, Didek Moonshine for Cathbri. She is sired by Lillyway Latimer at Nithview, out of Aldreen Illusion In Blue at Cathbri and this is her first green card. BPB was Jo and Tilly and BVB to Jo and Dreamy.
At the end of the day, Terry Carlton had the unenviable task of deciding between the winners for BIS, and it was 3rd time lucky for Tom Wall as he went back to Ireland with 3CC’s and a BIS to make his weekend complete.
BPIS also returned to Ireland in the form of Liam Kelly and Ballahanna Betrayed and BVIS to Jo Brooker and Dreamy. So, ended a very memorable weekend for all.
Finally some news I saw recently from Donna Baker who wrote:   “Had such a lovely weekend in the sunshine at Devon County Show Thrilled with our 10 month pup Salsina’s My Girl of Marilake ‘Vada’ winning her class, best puppy in breed and the Pastoral Puppy Group 1!! Returned yesterday to compete for BPIS which went to a lovely Malamute but Vada represented her breed and group really well in front of large crowds thank you judges Kathryn Entwistle and Debbie Fenn and to Di Ware, Reg Ware and Liz Patman for wonderful company, a weekend to remember!”

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com