28th September 2025

Another show weekend for some, with just 2 Club Open shows to report on, so here goes. Before reporting on the main winners, let me just let you know that at both shows, the entry was so much smaller than normal. If this trend continues, and do read on further as the latest BRS figures are shown at the end of this report, it could well get to a stage whereby some breed clubs (who are trying their best) are going to find that the cost of these shows may well make them un-viable. What some exhibitors are not aware, of is that not only do prize cards, catalogues (and schedules) also have to be produced, rosettes too are costly, hire of the venue, Catering, just to mention a few items all of which has to be paid for and of course the time and effort from Club Officials which is normally un paid
With smaller entries, clubs have a couple of choices to break even, or even make a minor profit. Increase the entry fees (then everyone complains) or hold fewer shows, or even hold Joint shows at this level. As far as I am aware, and I stand to be corrected, I do not know of any RKC ruling to prevent this, as a club could combine with another club, share a venue, halve the costs and give exhibitors 2 shows on the same day! Yes, I hear you all starting to complain now, otherwise, these Clubs will be unable to continue to subsidise their Open shows – have a think and digest.
Saturday saw London Collie hold their Open show at Chieveley, where the weather gods did threaten but all judging was managed outside. Many thanks to Show Secretary, Julie Sewell for sending down the show catalogue. It really is appreciated. The venue, just off the M4, is quite easy to get to, however, the entry was, for them, was smaller than expected, for the judge involved who was the well-known Ed Forsey, (Muzoku) who has Finnish Lapphunds amongst other breeds and has been featured many times in group placings.
The mixed Veteran class was first with a win for Marianne and Keira but they were alone. No MP, but Puppy went to Melissa and Gataj Strike It Lucky, also alone. A quick change of leads saw her win Junior with Gataj Time Will Tell who did have 2 others entered but they were absent. Graduate had no entries but yet another lead change saw Melissa win this with Prince of Sunlight Thrilled By the Difference at Gataj winner over Gemheid Chestnut. The only entry in Limit was absent, so that left Open for Sophie to win with her Takhisis Daggers Dawn who was alone. Sophie annexed Best Dog.  So, a total of 5 males present. RBD was Melissa and Prince of Sunlight Thrilled By The Difference at Gataj . Gataj Time Will Tell took BPD.
The mixed Baby puppy class had 2 entered, 1 absent with this going to Tremaro Fantasy, who ended up Best Baby Puppy In Show for the Shipps.
No MPB were entered but a nice class of 5, with 2 absent saw Sheila Carlton and Lynmead Dresses The Stars to Sambreeze winning, All Junior girls stayed away but 2 of the 5 Graduate ladies arrived and winning this was Gataj Dream To Love for Mrs Torfield from New Milton and she also won PG a class of 5 with 2 missing.
Limit followed, taken by Gataj Time after Time at Rahlissa for Val Tame and ably “run” by Skye Primmer. Open followed and again Sophie stood alone with her Bel Ch Takhisis Lady of Mystery BW24 and she then took BB with Val Tame in Reserve. BPB went to Sheila Carlton.
BOB went to Sophie and her Bel Ch sable, RBB to Val tame, BPIB to Sheila Carlton and her Lynmead Dresses the Stars to Sambreeze and BVIB to Ch Brooklynson Jane Russell of Oakestelle VW ShCEx, or as we know her, Keira.
In the final awards for BIS, this went to the Rough dog, RBIS to Marianne and her Smooth, BOSIS to Sophie, BPIS to Sheila Carlton. If my sums add up there were 14 ladies competing over 7 classes.
Now on Sunday, at Crawfordjohn Public Hall, Crawfordjohn, Scottish Collie held their Open show indoors with Karen Johnstone (Geosamka) taking centre stage and Mr Craig Sloan (Inverstag) who I think has mainly Dachshunds taking the SAC classes. Very many thanks to Secretary Alyson Carmichael who kept me up to date with the results of the day. Your help is much appreciated.
Again, with no puppies or Junior males, the first class for Karen to judge was Yearling and this went to Roughrigg Rags’n’Riches for Morag & Jim McCarte but he was alone. Also, alone in Graduate was Didek Eclipse of the Moon and Lynne Foster. Crawford Taylor and Thistlewing Fire Dance at Bryany won PG which had 3 entered,  Nancy Houlihan and Kourika Frosted Ice won Limit and Open went to Starlenga All About Majic for Corisian JW for the Brooker family. Veteran saw Michell McCann and Ch Oakland Blue Style du Clos de Sea-Wind at Zolkhan winning. In all, I counted just 7 males present on show.
BD was Michelle and Ollie who was also BVD, with Starlenga All About Majic for Corisian JW in reserve.
With no entries in Baby Puppy Dog and Baby Puppy Bitch, and no puppies, the first class was Junior. Won by Salsina Love Me Do and Dawn Clarke-Kerr who also won Maiden. Yearling went to Culbrae Charmed Again for Lynda Watt. Roughrigg Ragnfrid won Graduate for Joan Barr. With a well filled PG class, Didek Moonshine for Cathbri won this for Cathy Proctor.  Chantique Sugar Moon and Mary Hobkirk took Limit. Open was won by Roughrigg One of A Kind for Morag and Jim. Veteran was Dreamy, Telforth Sweet Dream to Corisian and Jo Brooker, I have lost count of the number of Veteran classes this sprightly lady had amassed but it must be in great number – keep on winning Dreamy.
BB was Roughrigg One Of A Kind, RBB to Dreamy. For BOB and ultimate BIS, this went to Morag & Jim, thanks for letting me know and I hope you got home in time !  BVIS and RBIS to Dreamy. Karen also judged the two-colour classes with Beldones Dancing In The Dark at Bracoisla (Tri) winning for Chloe Shorten and Wilmaranna Out of The Blue at Cathbri (B/M) winning for Cathy Proctor.
The winners of the SAC classes were Cambrogan Blissful Barra and Stacy Steven, Thistlewing Magic Lady for Brenda Welsh and Wilmaranna Out of the Blue for Cathbri.
One is not surprised at the lack of show entries when reading the latest BRS issue which covers April – June 2025. Sadly, it shows just 23 litters recorded with 106 new registrations. One of our lowest figures for a while and the current numbers show 79 for the first quarter of 2025  and 107 for this current issue. We are now on a borderline point of being declared as an “At Risk” breed.
However, I have noticed currently on KC Find A Judge, we have the following numbers of Judges registered at certain JEP Levels and an interesting note, for some reason, known only to the RKC, many of our established, now Level 4 judges have had names removed – I just hope this is a “glitch” in the system as I am aware some names even have forward appointments.
Out of interest, as I write the following numbers of judges apply to Collie Rough; Level 1  has 4 names, L2 now has 108, Level 3 also has 4 and Level 4, CC approved judges has a total of 234. Plus or minus those missing !
Again, using my mathematical brain (the calculator) if all these achieve L4, CC level we will have 350 approved judges, plus those going via Grandfathering to officiate at our 39 Ch shows, leaving each judge an 8 year wait between appointments, that is if everyone was invited singly. However, some do get appointments for a single sex but with entries falling, many clubs are opting for a single judge at their event.
At this rate we will have more judges than entries, and also may I remind you all judges  going via JEP, that it is your responsibility to ensure you are listed on FAJ before 31st December, and, that you have completed all the requirements, for each required level, otherwise you will not be allowed to judge, regardless.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com