10th July 2026

Now to a very busy couple of shows. Firstly, Boston & District held both an Open show, prior to their 20th Ch Show at the Rutland Showground. The Ch show was held in memory of previous Secretary Pat Dufty. At the Open show, the judge was  Pete Simmons (Simmovon) from Sleaford, who awards CC’s in 4 Pastoral Breeds. There were 4 scheduled classes but only 2 exhibitors arrived. BOB was Didek Once In A Blue Moon for Derrick & Dianne Farthing. Cathy Cooper took BPIB with her Kelekona Pearls of Hope.
A day later, many more gathered for the judging debut of Simon Burton, (Glencorrie) who is basically  smooth collie orientated and another one to award CC’s to our breed for the first time. Having received a good entry of 90, comprising 40 males and 50 females.
His choice for the CC went to Sue & Dave Randall with their Veteran Entry, Ch Ladnar Mustriharder. A tricolour, sired by Piaf (Int Ch One Extraordinary Blu di Cambiano) ex Ch Ladnar Inkheart and he was born May 2015. This was his 6th CC having won his previous in 2023 and this was his first venture into the show ring and in Veteran for a few years. Well done.
Taking the RDCC was Demelewis Silver Spur at Corydon in the ownership of Maxine Mellish.  A Blue, sired by Corydon Riffson out of Demelewis Double Dare and he was born in January 2021 and has a few good wins to his credit including a CC win from last year.
Others to win classes included: Corydon The Visionary for Miranda; Kelekona Hearts of Fire for Cathy Cooper; Mejola Endeavour for Jo Williams; Seoisin Shooting Star via Capriora for Pat Corben; Gemheid May’s of Amber for Detillio for Rachel Tilley; Corydon The Baronet for Miranda and Spl Beginners went to Essanjay Fields of Gold for Firesaga and Joanne Leese with Didek Once In A Blue Moon for Diane and Derrick Farthing.
Taking her 3rd CC was Wicani Bellissima Rosschell JW for Jake Walsh and Michelle Davis. Her previous cC wins were recently at Scottish Breeds from Maxine Mellish followed by Dianna Spavin at Blackpool where she also annexed G4. She is sired by Wicani Raising The Bar out of Wicani Blue Myrobella and she is the first Wicani bred jointly by Keith and Angela Harvey. How nice for Angela to see this win today.
The RBCC was another Veteran, this was Val & John Geddes with Ch Ingledene Sno Wanda. Another sired by Piaf but out of Ch Ingledene Spirit of Ecstasy.
Other class winners on the day were: Afterhero Fantasma for Abby Lusty and Co-Owners Jake & Michelle.  Corydon Perfect Vision for Miranda; Jards Cudmirrah Special and Janine Hanson. Ormordha Sweet Tooth and Georgie Moore. Gemheid May’d of Gold for Stregato and Audrey Boyd & Wendy McGill; Ch Phreelancer Phormal Dress and Lene Newman, Wicani Belladonna for Bearven won Special Beginners for Megan Gatt and Wicani Dulicibella Gyda Maysinder took Good Citizens  for Dennis & Mary Beardsworth.
BOB went to Jake handling his blue, and this gave him a problem as he had also won BOB in ASD but decided that he would take his ASD into the group under Jackie Cutler (Lankeela) and left Michelle to handle our representative.
BPIB was declared for the MP bitch, Afterhero Fantasma, sired by Skabona heaven Sent out of Afterhero Believe In Miracles who also won 4th in the AV Puppy Bitch Stakes from Tim Hutchings along with prize money. BVIB, between the Dog CC winner and Val’s blue Ch fell to Sue & Dave  with Tom, who stayed for the Veteran group under Tim Hutchings (Winuwuk) but did not place.
Meanwhile, having been declared Best Special Beginner in Breed, under local judge Sue Bird (Joybern) Wicani Belladonna for Bearven brought home a good G2 along with some prize money for Megan Gatt.
As soon as judging was completed, the London & Provincial Collie club set up for their Open Show, judged by Angela Harvey (Wicani), still smiling from the success of her breeding, Angela set about judging her overall entry of 59 Roughs mostly same entry as that at Boston but commenced her day with the Smooth Collie Classes.
The winners here were: BIS, Ch Phreelancer Phormal Dress and Lene Newman, who was obviously BOB Rough,  Gemheid May’d of Gold for Stregato took Reserve BIS for Wendy McGill and Audrey Boyd. BPIS to Afterhero Fantasma, Best Baby Puppy In show was awarded to Ormordha Lunar Eclipse in the ownership of Mrs H Allsopp, Miss I Allsopp, Miss G & Miss C Moore and she won the AV Collie Rough or Smooth class having been born 25th January this year. BOSIS and BVIS went to the Smooth, Ch Cardross Red Dirt Road  to Blamorder  VW (Imp Can) and Abby Lusty also judged previously by Angela.
Best Dog went to Stregato Foolish Guy for Delseirios, RBD to Corydon the Baronet JW, BPD to Corydon World Vision. BVD to Ch Ladnar Mustriharder. BB to Ch Phreelancer Phormal Dress with Gemheid May’s Of Gold for Stregato in Reserve. Best Veteran Bitch to Bellawave Caught In A Dream with Afterhero Fantasma taking BPB.
Sunday saw many gather at Baginton for the dual Open Shows organised by the Collie Association.
Before any judging began a moment of reflection was held in memory of Aileen Speding, past Secretary and Patron, whose very recent death has previously been reported.
CA, under the guidance of Sheila Telford and her loyal committee offered 2 Open shows with judges: Rachel Tilley and Jill Kelly, This club had also scheduled Smooth collies with Dave Gordon judging BIS at show 1 and Cathy Howard at Show 2
Both shows received a good entry of roughs 48, along with excellent refreshments (at good prices) the day commenced with Show 1 and Rachel Tilley, (Detillio). Her choice for BD went to Jo Williams and Ch Mejola Top Gun. RBD was Janine Hanson and Jards Ring Presence. BPD to Miranda and Corydon The Visionary. BVD was Ambartr King of The Ring for Colin Bartram.  Her choice for BB also belonged to Colin Bartram, this was  Ambartr’s Dignity and Pride who, according to the catalogue holds a Junior Warrant and was entered in the Novice class !
In reserve was Cathy Cooper’s Corydon Agatha Cristal with Kelekona .
BPB was Corydon Faithfull Vision for Demelewis (sister to BPD) and BVB to Santaloly’s Sky Amidalas. For Hannah Lyall. BOB was awarded to Jo & Ch Mejola Top Gun, BPIB to Maxine Mellish’s baby Corydon Faithful Vision for Demelewis with BVIB also going to Colin and his sable boy
Dave Gordon gave all major awards to the Smooths with the exception of BPIS which was our rough.
At Show 2, Jill Kelly, who is based on the Isle of Man had very similar entry but although her choice of BD was Ch Mejola Top Gun, her RBD was Serenlas The Jokerman for Stefani Flower. BPD was  Corydon The Visionary with Camanna Careerchanging for Maqueeba and Tina May, taking Veteran.   In bitches, VB was Santaloly’s Sky Amidalas for Hannah Lyall. BPB was Kelekona Pearls of Hope for Cathy Cooper; BB went to Jo Williams and Mejola Some Girls Do with Serenlas Pumpkin Spice taking RBB. With BPB going to  Pearls of Hope.
BOB to Ch Mejola Top Gun, BPIB to Kelekona Pearls of Hope and BVIB to Santaloly’s Sky  Amidalas. BIS was judged by Cathy Howard who made Ch Blamorder Double Or Quits at Oakestelle BIS, her second such award on the day. Jo Williams annexed RBIS with Maverick, BPIS and BVIS again fell to the smooths
Having had a chance to peruse the catalogue, congratulations must go to Miranda and John Blake, Corydon, as many of the winners at this show, were not just Corydon owned but many were sired by Corydon males.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com