2nd May 2025

At last it would appear that as a breed, we are beginning to be “looked at” at both Open and Championship Shows with some good news for us, also, I understand that following some numerous complaints, that awful advert for a Deodorant/Fragrance issued by Lynx has been changed, although it still depicts a collie (albeit a body in a made-up suit). Thanks to all who reported this to the various areas and the ASA.
Back to some brilliant show wins, Michelle Chaplin had the thrill of taking not only BOB but Pastoral G1 with her Takhisis Lysander. She is thrilled as this is her first ever win. This was at Sheringham & District CS, where I think the judges were Barry Blunden and Sue Osborne but I cannot actually confirm this.
The Diamonds in the Rough obreedience team were out and about again on Saturday 26.4.25 at Best Paw Forward rally and obreedience show. Considering we had one new team member we did a great job – Claire Walton with Blaze was on the retrieve, Tara Clare with Briar was scent, Tammy Clare – new member of the team – with Merry was on the send to bed and myself, complete with broken leg! – was on the emergency stop. The heelwork was tricky at our reduced pace with my leg but we managed overall 7th place with one perfect score in the individual elements. The team are out again in a couple of weeks without me and my leg! We currently stand at overall 6th place amongst all the obreedience teams – not bad for our first year!
Now to the main event of the weekend, WELKS Ch show where our breed regained CC status recently. Being the first outdoor show of the year, and in a location at Malvern, the entry was bound to be good, and it was, 52 dogs and 58 bitches. This was for Cathy Howard who has the Shandlmain kennel, now mainly with Smooths but has had roughs in the past
This was Cathy’s first appointment for both sexes, but she has previously judged single sex at L&P in 2022 and YCC also in the same year
Her choice for the Dog CC was Natalia Skalin’s Int/FI/DK/NO/IT Skabona Mix’n’Match who with this CC can now add GB Ch to his credentials. A sable, who won his first CC from Maxine Mellish in 2023, his 2nd at CA from Lene Newman, who were actually at WELKS to see this happen. Sired by Rejejs Oriental Milk Chocolate out of Skabona Secret Game and he is 5 years of age, An interesting note is that when Cathy judged at YCC, her CC winner was Skabona Kiss From Heaven in the same ownership of Natalia & Bo Skalin and has similar breeding to her winner at WELKS.  Standing 2nd in the Open Class was John Blake’s Corydon Christopher, handled by Miranda and he took home another RCC to add to his growing collection. Sired by Ch Corydon The Ringleader out of Ch Corydon Clarissa.
Others to win classes were: Ch Mejola Fate and Fortune for Jo Williams who then took BVD; Ladnar Call Me Name for Dave & Sue Randall; Corydon The Baronet for Miranda; Essanjay Ring of Fire for Jan Williams; Mejola Top Gun for Jo Williams; Kelekona Hearts of Gold for Cathy Cooper; Phreelancer Phinal Salute for Denisa and Charlotte Vescan.
Bitches were headed by Anne Kokkonen handling her and Natalia’s big European winner, FI/NO/IT/IV/EE Ch Skabona Too Good To Be True. A sable, sired by Skabona Classic Code out of Heideland’s Good Luck to Skabona ( a daughter of Ch Corydon Ringleader) and although called in to challenge for the RBCC as she was 2nd in the Open class, Alan Walsh and his blue,  Ir Ch & UK CC winning, Skabona What A Lady at Joshren had to give way to Erjon Evolving Beauty for Duna Jones and Josh Blackburn. She is also a sable, sired by Ch Ingledene Spirit of Legend out of Erjon Evolving Star and she was born in May 2022 and she won Limit.
Other class winners were: Gina Stillwell and Bellawave Caught In a Dream; Jake & Michelle Walsh with Wicani Bellissima Rosschell; Miranda and Corydon Cristal Vision; Wendy McGill & Audrey Boyd won with Gemheid May’s of Gold for Stregato; Duna & Josh won with Erjon Eyes On Me; Valerie Geddes won with Ingledene Connie Mcblack.
Now to BOB, this fell to Anne and her sable winner, BPIB was another nice win for the blue merle, Wicani Bellissima Rosschell and so good to hear that Angela Harvey, her breeder had made the long journey down from Yorkshire to attend and feeling much better after her recent health issues. This win must have been a tonic for her and husband Keith not o be outdone, BVIB went to Jo Williams and Ch Mejola Fate and Fortune.

The Pastoral Group was judged by Darren Clarke and thrill of thrills for Anne and Natalia when they were short-listed but no further. Also short-listed in the Puppy Group, judged by Yvonne Cannon,  was the blue baby, Bella, for Michelle and Jake. Jo Williams stayed but was not selected in the Veteran Group judged by Liz Millward.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com