6th March 2026

Before giving a resume of both Crufts, as by now you will all be aware of the results, and of British, a comment must be made regarding the sad loss to the breed of Rainer Vuorinen. A name perhaps not recognisable to the newer exhibitors but Rainer and his Rainwood kennel were very well known in Finland. Along with his mentors, the late Kari Jarvinen and Hans Leitenhan they were 3 of most knowledgeable Judges from Finland

Rainer, although he had many breeds, his first love was Collies, was one of the most approachable, polite and welcoming person. He was a regular traveller to the UK and bought many of his dogs from the late Betty Eglin of Rokeby Fame. He also piloted, on behalf of Irma Niskanan, Int Ch Antoc Gary Glitter, a blue merle to many wins and this dog is behind many of today’s top winning Blues, especially for the Black Gary Kennel and included one top winner here in the UK, Ch Black Gary La Dame Chare at Ingledene for Val & John Geddes.

Rainer was an approved all breed judge but had the honour of judging our breed at Crufts in both 2001 and 2004 with a last collie appointment for EACA in 2013.

Sunday 1st March, not only was it St David’s Day, but also the day of the British Collie Club Ch Show. This year, held in the RKC Building at Stoneleigh. The elected judges were, Jane Margetts (Collingvale) for males, Michael Wirth who has the “Dirty Booties” kennel in Germany and although he has judged many times abroad and under FCI jurisdiction, this was to be his 1st RKC appointment for the breed although he had been approved to judge at Ayrshire back in 2023 but was unable to officiate. Sheila Beeney judged Smooths with Fran Kaye (Danfrebek) having the honour of BIS.
According to the schedule, Committee Members and Officials would not be exhibiting at this show, but many were entered, with different handlers. According to information, judging was to start with Smooths, at 9.30  followed by Rough Dogs and Bitches starting at 10.00am . However, on the day, the order of Judging changed slightly as the dog entry only commenced after the end of the females, the Champions Parade, and, presumably the presentation of the Ladypark Puppy Trophy
Before giving a resume of the winners, a disturbing issue arose, resulting in yet another video, kindly put up by an individual for those at home to see winners, and posted online. The original had to be removed and replaced. The reason for this was some very derogatory remarks, made off camera, but picked up by sound were heard. The remarks made did result in an upsetting incident involving one of our younger exhibitors. This is not acceptable and may well result in those who do these videos not putting them up to the loss of all.

Back to the show, overall, the entry was a surprising 31 males, with just 1 in Open, 68 females with absentees.
Smooths started the day in one ring and in the next ring, Michael Wirth started on his entry with the following results: Telforth Sweet Dreams to Corisian JW won Veteran for the Brooker family; Chantique The Witching Hour and Chantal & Andre Scott took MP;  Your Majesty Angel Silvestre at Gataj (Imp Bel) won Puppy. Junior went to Gataj First Crush at Treweek for Jackie Dix who was handled by Chloe Gelder who also won Novice.  Beldones Caribbean Girl won Maiden for Brian & Odile; Monica Wells and Gataj Little Miss Sassy at Terelimon won Graduate; PG went to Karen Johnstone and Sea Dreamers Gracy Love at Geosamka (imp NLD) who I think was handled by Nikita Buchanan. Mid Limit was won by Val Tame and Gataj Time After Time at Rahlissa and Limit went to Gataj Exotic Girl and Melissa. Open was Lene Newman and Ingledene Crystal Vision  of Phreelancer. Champion bitch class was Ch Beldones Just For Fun at Starlenga for Brian and Odile.
The dogs, eventually got into the ring with the following winners for jane Margetts. Jane has the Collingvale kennel and last judged, recently at WECS last year and prior to that at London Collie.
Here is a list of her class winners: With no veteran males entered, MP went to Chantique Will O’The Wisp for Chantal and Andre; Gataj Just Like James took Puppy for Melissa who also had  Gataj I got You Babe alone in Junior. Jopium Just For You Corisian, although 3rd in MP won Maiden, being alone., for the Brookers. Novice also had just one entry with Samshernik Majestic Boy winning for Paul Ross.  Vince, Ladnar Call My Name JW won Graduate for  Dave & Sue Randall. Post Grad went to Paulara Blaze of Glory for Charlene Turner,  handled by Luis. Jane Spendelow and her Uffspring Undeniable won Mid Limit. Caz Waterhouse with Lynmead Royal Lover won Limit and alone in Open was Triburle The Joker for Christine & Noel.  Brian & Odile, with Clovis won the Champions class with Ch Beldones Ivory Star.
In the challenge for the DCC, this went to the winner of PG, Luis and his sable Paulara Blaze of Glory winning his 1st CC. Sired by Born To Be Quite Famous Lynmead out of Paulara Keep The Faith. I cannot confirm if the 2nd in his class was called in but the RDCC went to the winner of Mid Limit, Uffspring Undeniable for Jane Spendelow and handled by Sophie Gelder. He is a blue merle, sired by Uffspring The Understudy out of Riverside Song Narayana at Uffspring and he was born in August 2023. BPD was Melissa and Gataj Just Like Jesse James.
Now to the ladies, with a 2nd CC being awarded to Val Tame and her Gataj Time After Time at Rahlissa, ably helped on the move by Gwen Beadon. Taking the RBCC was Nikita Buchanan handling for Karen, with Sea Dreamer’s Gracy Love at Geosamka. Best Puppy bitch went to Melissa and Your Majesty Angel Silvestre at Gataj and the ever young Dreamy, Telforth Sweet Dreams to Corisian.

BOB was judged by Fran Kaye and her choice was Val and her sable girl, RBOB to Luis. BPIB to Jesse James and BVIB to Dreamy.
BIS followed, with the Smooth, Abby Lusty and Ch Blamorder Ice Cream Dream VW coming to challenge, having taken not only BOB but also BVIB. The most prestigious Challenge Trophy went to Val, RBIS to Ice Cream Dream, BPIS to Melissa and Jesse James, and BVIS was awarded to the Rough, Jo Brooker and Dreamy.
The Ladypark Puppy winner was an easy win for Vince, Ladnar Call My Name JW as he headed the list with 101 points and joint runners up were Gataj Time Will Tell and Gataj Strike It Lucky. In 4th was Wicani Bellissima Rosschell, 5th went to Gataj Struck By Love, followed by Jopium Follow My Heart, Gataj All That Glitters, Verysuperblack di Cambiano, Ballahanna Betrayed, Lynmead Dresses The Stars at Sambreeze and finally in 10th place Gataj First Crush at Treweek. Interesting to note that many of these winners also annexed reserve CC wins during their puppy classes.
In the Champions Parade, with 26 listed, all of whom received a lovely named rosette, was well supported with an entry of 13 roughs, only a few were also entered in a breed classes. along with approx. same number of Smooth Collies, some of whom, I assume will be competing next week.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com