13th March 2026

Where does one begin with this report as so many Congratulations are needed  concerning the recent Crufts Ch Show so I will try and list these, hopefully not forgetting anyone but in all the madness that is Crufts I am sure I will have left someone out, so apology issued now!
A first for our breed, and this is thanks to the hard work and time-consuming effort put in by Jane Spendelow and her team who after just under a year, produced a remarkable result in Obreedience and qualified for the Crufts final. Luckily, held the same day as our breed was judged. The team, Diamonds In The Rough was formed just under a year ago and Jane has a short resume of the day posted on the Collielife pages. I will just mention those involved who annexed a spectacular win of 4th place, from 10 team entrants, and at this their first time of qualification, so congrats to: Team Captain, Jane Spendelow and Baby; Katherine Notley with Jax; Claire Walton and Blaze and Stacy Steven with Barra, all of whom were awarded lovely rosettes along with the Reserves of Tara Clare with Briar Rose and Dave Barnett and Isi. Lets us hope for better placings next year. Anyone interested should contact Jane direct. You can read Jane's full report HERE.
Congratulations to Jo Hodges, who owns Jopium Dark & Demure, her ASD, not only did she win the BCC, but also BOB and represented the breed in the strong pastoral group, also to Jake Walsh, another with interests in ASD as I understand he won the Pastoral YKC Members Stakes – Pastoral with his and Michelle Davis, Rosschell Maid To Dazzle JW from judge Stuart Plane.
Another set of congratulations to both Christine Collins & Melissa Lockyer as there are quite a few photos of “Collies at Crufts” circulating via not only social media but in the National Newspapers as well – great too see our breed being promoted with happy collies. Not forgetting those who have given up their time at Discover Dogs, where many roughs, those who have been shown in various competitions and others doing a great “Meet and Greet” with the general public.
Now to the breed, judged on the first day of the show by Roz Makepeace (Lynaire) for males and Marianne Grindley (Lanrue) for females. Between them they had drawn an entry of 171, but on the day approx. 52 were absent.
With judging at a sensible start time of 10am & 10.30, it was not long before results came through for all too see. At this point, I have to congratulate Fosse Data, not only do they supply an electronic catalogue but all class results are uploaded as they happen. Well done to Fosse.
Roz Makepeace, along with her late husband Barry, have the Lynaire kennel of roughs and have owned/bred/produced many many Champions. Roz last judged at Lancs & Cheshire in 2023 and prior to this has officiated at many Ch and Club Shows. Her choice for the Dog CC, from Post Graduate (which had 17 with 5 absent), was Little Hollywood U Are Eiwa Forest owned and bred by Mrs Laura Baena. Known as Anakin, today he arrived in the care of Javi Perez and Josep Paura  who actually handled him for Laura Baena, with a listed address in France.  Born 29th August 2023. Sired by Paco Rabanne of Lowlands Green Valley out of Petite Robe Noire of Lowlands Green Valley. I understand this sable male has previously won a few good awards under FCI jurisdiction prior to this lovely win. However, there is, as usual  there is a lovely photo of Anakin, as he is known at home with both Javi Perez and Josep Paura .

Taking the RDCC, from Open ( a lovely class of 13 with 5 missing) was none other than Clovis, Ch Beldones Ivory Star, just to refresh your memory, he is sired by Ch Camanna Codename out of Beldones Ebony and Ivory and is owned by Brian & Odile. BPD was a nice win for Melissa and her Gataj Just Like Jesse James. Sired by Ch Gataj Turn Back Time out of Sweetmint’s Uptown Girl at Gataj and he celebrates a birthday in April.

BVD went to Michelle McCann and Ollie, Ch Oakland Blue Style du Clos de Seawind at Zolkhan, he is sired by Hot Chocolate du Clos de Seawind out of I Have A Blue Dream du close de Sea-Wind and he was born in February 2018.
Others to win their classes included: Jane Spendelow and Uffspring Undeniable won Good Citizen; Alone in MP Brookynut Clyde Barrow for Kathleen Morey; Melissa and Gataj Just Like Jesse James; Junior to Aaronwell Asks The Question for John Congdon; Corydon The Baronet took Yearling for Miranda; Limit went to Nyitramenti Poseidon for J Balazsovits.

Now for the ladies, Marianne Grindley has the Lanrue collies and she last judged at Birmingham National in 2021.
She had the great pleasure in awarding the BCC to the Open winner and thus giving her a title for Aaronwell Able Mabel JW (whose other CC wins were at WELKS 2024 from Billy Henderson and at Midland Collie 2025 from Mr Balazsovits and also has a few Reserve CC’s). Sired by Ch Brilyn Intoxicated out of Ch Riverside Song Desiderata at Aaronwell, owned by John Congdon. It was so nice to receive a message from Sue as both she and John had a special day with wins for all their entered stock. Thank you
Winning the RBCC, just prior to her lovely CC win in ASD was Jo Hodges and Jopium Follow My Heart JW. A sable sired by Riverside Song Xplorer of Hearts out of Jopium Loves To Sparkle with Meryctin and she is currently sitting on 2CC’s.
Good Citizens went to Elspeth Rose with Beldones Clementine avec Coloratura; MP to Alex Mills and her Lemivee Connie’s Songbird; Puppy to Rob & Margaret Ship with Tremaro Fantasy; Junior went to the daughter of the CC winner, Aaronwell All About Elsa; Gwen Beadon brought out her Myriehewe Champers on Ice to win Yearling. Julie Growcott and Chantique Sent from Heaven to Lillyway won PG with Veteran going to Dreamy, Telforth Sweet Dreams to Corisian for the Brooker family.
To sum up, BOB to the sable dog, after lengthy discussion, BPIB to Melissa and BVIB to Dreamy. In the group, judged by Graham Hill, our breed was not listed but those who entered, and maybe not placed all took the best collie home nd so ended another memorable Crufts for many.
Mention to for the wonderful numbers of Blue Merles who were all presented, at the end of judging and many wonderful photographs were taken of just the Blue Merle entry and are available, on request, (I think) in respect of the current issues concerning this colour.

Finally, over the Crufts weekend it was announce that Rod Oldham, whose partner is the very well-known Stuart Mallard had died.
Rod was mainly in Chow-Chows but it was as a respected judge he will be remembered. He judged our breed on a few occasions, namely at Midland Counties in 2012, WKC in 2017 and his last was at Paignton in 2023. To friends and family, we send our thoughts.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com