12th September 2025

News in from Richmond, where Marianne Benton (Oakestelle) had drawn an entry of 55, with about 10 missing on the day
I have heard on the “grapevine” that this may well be the last time Richmond will be held at Loseley Park and a move to a new venue and date is on the cards. I well recall, as many will do, Richmond being held at Ascot, especially the year that we lost Princess Diana and the whole show was then held on the day following her funeral without benching etc. The entry that day, for the late Terry Thorn was in 1997 with 211 entered, with the major awards going to Gwen & Geoff with Myriehewe Persian Heights, (his 3rd) with Val & John and Ingledene Slave to Love in reserve and for the ladies, BCC was Ch Ingledene Penny Lover with our own Ch Antoc Crystal Rainbow in Reserve. How times have changed
Back to 2025, this was Marianne’s 2nd appointment over both sexes, although her first was at L&P in 2016 where she judged the males followed by an appointment at Bournemouth and with judging starting fairly early, all was done and dusted by lunchtime with a new name added to our CC winners list.
Dog CC, his first, went to Ninja, aka Corydon the Baronet, a tricolour who has been making his mark in both the breed and stakes ring recently. Already with a RCC under his collar, Ninja is sired by Corydon The Baron out of Corydon Agatha Cristal with Kelekona and he was born in May 2024. On his way to collect this CC he won Junior, Novice and Graduate classes, although alone in 2 of the 3 classes he entered.
Winning Limit and the RDCC was the sable, Kelekona Hearts of Gold JW for Cathy Cooper. This boy has been winning well recently and this is his first major award. A sable, born in July 2022, he is sired by Ch Ladnar Mustriharder out of Lilth Nar Sule of Kelekona who is a daughter of Corydon Riffson and Rayawna Nightingale.
Others present to win classes  were Astromelias Ulises Via Capriora (Veteran); Seoirsin Shooting Star  via Capriora (Puppy); Winner of Dreams Angel Silvestre at Colcanis (Yearling) Hanvale Ralph Lauren (PG) and Demelewis Silver Spur at Corydon.
Class winners for the ladies were Serenlas Heaven In Blu; Serenlas Dream Maker, Imaginist Frozen In Time, Wicani Belladonna who won Junior, Novice  and Special Beginners but had been beaten in her Puppy class; Xanthe Angel Silvestre at Colcanis. Afterhero Cheeky Angel at Wicani (Graduate); Wicani That’s Amore with Bellawave, Chelborn Tell Me Your Wish (Limit) and Takhisis Lady of Mystery, Bel Ch BW24
Winning yet another CC was Isaac Preddy, with Chelborn Tell Me Your Wish, her 2nd, her first was also handled by Isaac ,was won at Bournemouth from Robin Newhouse where her details are recorded. The RBCC was also in the same class, and this was now, Ch Phreelancer Pheel It Still for Lene Newman and by now, I am sure you are all aware of her breeding!
BOB went to Chelborn Tell Me Your Wish with Isaac and under Krysten Greenland was shortlisted. As Vanessa is currently unable to move her own dogs, reliance on handlers is a must but with good friends like Isaac and also Linda Lester, it does make life a little easier for her and there is a lovely photo of the winners, posted by Marianne showing Vanessa with her CC winning lady.
Another to suffer problems was Di Collino, having injured her back recently was unable to attend this show but a nice touch, as Sophie Wray-Ramsden called in and collected her blue puppy, Imaginist Frozen In Time who then went on to win not only her class, BPB but also BPIB ably handled by Abby Lusty so this must make Di feel a little better and we wish her a quick recovery. Stefani Flower took her blue lady, Serenlas Heaven In Blue and she took BVIB, the group judge here was Tony Allcock. Best Special Beginners, judged by Espen Engh was Megan Gatt and her tricolour Wicani Belladonna to end her lovely day.
The star of the show today was not in our breed, but, as many are aware, the well-travelled Jo Hodges, based in Scotland made the trip down with both her Rough and her Australian Shepherd puppy, who won not only the RBCC but also BPIB and another Pastoral Puppy G1 from judge John Ritchie.
With 2 more shows being held on Sunday, a busy weekend for many followed
Thanks to Christine Biggs, hard working secretary of Yorkshire Collie Club who sent down a copy of the show catalogue. Held at Grenoside Community Centre, Sheffield with judges: Hannah Walder (Hanvale) to judge Dogs; Fran Kaye (Danfrebek) bitches; Jo Williams (Mejola) for smooths without CC and finally overall Referee / BIS Geoff Duffield. All judging was held outside and very nearly completed until the rains came down.
The entry for roughs was 26 males for Hannah, including a few Champions, 40 bitches for Frances plus 2 entered NFC. Although in roughs there were Baby Puppy classes scheduled, unlike the Smooth entry who had 3 entries, there were no baby roughs entered.
Hannah, dressed in an elegant fringed floor length outfit, ast judged at Irish Collie and prior to that at Scottish Breeds and her choice for the DCC, his 6th was non-other than Ch Beldones Ivory Star, owned by Brian & Odile and he won the Open class. Standing 2nd in the same class was Ch Roughrigg Rag’n’Bone Man for Morag & JimMcCarte but the RDCC was awarded to Miranda and Ninja who had won both Junior and Graduate. Her other class winners were Cathy Proctor and Wilmaranna Out of the Blue for Cathbri. Liam Kelly made the journey over with his Ballahanna Betrayed to win PG whilst Limit went to Corisian Parisian Majic for the Brooker family
Fran Kaye, who was judging at Richmond the previous day is one of our more established judges and she last judged the breed at Driffield in 2023 and prior to that at Crufts where she judged males.
Today she found her winner in Unusual Beauty Des Conquetes de Don Juan at Jopium, owned by Jo Hodges, who was actually down at Richmond Ch show, waiting to compete for BPIS having won the Pastoral Puppy Group with her Australian Shepherd. Brought to the show by Brenda Cooney, and moved by Caz Waterhouse, she won this, her 1st CC from Limit. Sired by Monsolana Piece of Beauty out of Torrino I Love You, this blue lady was born in France, in 2023 by Mr Mathieu Dcdj.
Winning her 2nd RBCC was Riverside Song Nebraska at Aaronwell, sired by Out of The Blues de Clos de Sea-Wind out of Lullaby du Clos de Sea-Wind and bred by Olivia Cruscov in May 2021 and she won the Open class.
Other class winners were: Dreamy (Telforth Sweet Dreams to Corisian) for the Brooker family who took Veteran, Aaronwell All About Elsa won MP for John Congdon. Lynmead Dresses the Stars of Sambreeze and Sheila Carlton won Puppy. Grenville Francis also made the journey over from NI with his Roughrigg Rene Russo at Peblu to win Junior. Although placed 2nd in MP, Gataj First Crush at Treweek won Maiden for Jackie Dix. Sophie Wray-Ramsden won with her Bel Junior Ch, Takhisis Xtraordinary Lady Bw24 won Graduate. Caz Waterhouse brought out Lynmead Waiting For Love to win Post Grad.
Geoff Duffield  selected for BIS, over the smooth, judged by Jo Williams, Jo’s blue lady. RBIS was Clovis; with no Puppy dogs, BPIB went to Aaronwell All About Elsa who was also BPIS and BVIS to Dreamy.

Now, thanks to Denis Beardsworth, Shelley Skinner and Di Ware and of course to the Secretary, Margaret Scamp, news arrived following the recent WECS Open show. Your contact is very much appreciated as shows held on a Sunday often cannot be reported due to OD print deadlines.
Secretary Margaret writes: “ The Committee would like to thank everyone who managed to get to our show despite the absolutely atrocious weather conditions. Unfortunately, this meant that the Rough Classes had to be held indoors and there were several absentees, understandably, for our judge, Mr Stephen Webb, who we thank for his consideration of the dogs who attended. Despite the horrendous weather, the dogs didn't seem to be upset by the Thunder and Lightning, of which there was much!
Fortunately, by the time the Smooth Collies were due to be judged, the weather had broken and they were able to be judged outside by Mrs Marion Withers and eventually, the Best in Show line-up were selected also done outside in the sun which appeared briefly.
Once again, we would like to thank everyone who attended for their patience and fortitude”

This show, held at the usual venue of East Huntspill was held on the same day as Yorkshire Collie Ch Show, as a result the entry was somewhat smaller than usual, comprising of 34, made up from 11 males and 23 ladies for the roughs.

Judge elect was Stephen  Webb (Shadowpark) but on the day, there were added absentees, probably due to the weather forecast and the recent Richmond Ch show where some entries at WECS stayed for Group competitions and thus made it a very long day and opted to give their entry at WECS a miss.

With only Margaret’s entry of Aaronwell AyeBeeCee in Veteran, there were no MPD or PD and the only entry in Junior was Twas Baron of Virginia (Imp USA) for Mr Berry. Spl Yearling class of 3 had Val Geddes winning with Ingledene Absolute Legend, who also won Novice and Graduate. Shelley Skinner won PG with Neon, Ladnar Make It Happen for Nikal. Open went to the Veteran winner for Margaret. Best dog was declared as Ingledene Absolute Legend with Shelley and Neon in reserve.
For the ladies, there were slightly better filled classes and winning VB was Marianne and Keira, Ch Brooklynson Jane Russell of Oakestelle VW ShCEx.  Again, no MPB entered, and the only entry in PB was absent. Donna Baker and her Salsina’s My Girl of Marilake won Junior and Spl Yearling and Graduate.  Both Novice entries were absent. Post Grad was won by Louise Rae and Gataj Majestic Hope and we all wish mum, Sue, a speedy return to full recovery following her recent hospitalised incident, Get Back to full health soon.
Denis and Mary Beardsworth won Limit with Maysinder Sapphire reign and Di Ware took Open with her Millubie Essence of Magic  at Wassail. Best bitch was awarded to Di and her tricolour, with Donna Baker in reserve.
There were no puppies to award anything to, and the award of BOB went to Val and Ingledene Absolute Legend, with Di in reserve. Both veterans competed and this went to Marianne and Keira.
Smooths were judged by Marion Withers (Stanydale) with BOB falling to Blamorder Double or Quits of Oakestelle JW and Marianne Benton

I am not aware if the services of the Referee/BIS judge were required but the final result was BIS went to the smooth, RBIS to Val, BPIS to the smooth puppy, Blamorder Starstruck and BVIS also to the smooth Ch Blamorder Ice Cream Dream JW and Abby Lusty

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com