Rough Collie Breed Notes

All roads, and ferries lead to Northern Ireland for the two shows held on the Balmoral Park Showground, Lisburn in the Eikon Exhibition Centre
As usual the entry was quite small for the 2 judges elected for both Belfast and ICC.
At Belfast, it was just a 2nd appointment for Russell Jones (Quemerford OES) who carried out his first at Bath 2024. He was also contracted to judge a few other breeds, at Belfast,  including Chow Chows who were judged here first.
From an entry of 31, comprising 11 males and 20 females, according to Fosse Data, there were a few absent, leaving just 8 males present.
Taking another CC, I think his 8th was Ch Gataj Turn Back Time for Melissa, sired by her Perfect Timing du Clos de Seawind at Gataj ex Nasty Girl du Clos de Seawind at Gataj and born May 2022.
In reserve was Jo Hodges handling Geosamka Loves To Love at Ilithium for owner Sue Harris. (Jopium Front Runner at Geosamka ex Sea Dreamer’s Gracy Love at Geosamka) and adds this to his existing collection of RDCC wins.
BPD was the only puppy dog present. Miss Ann Smith from Cleveland, and Zodiac Stars Align Angel Silvestre. Veteran, also alone was Hazel Jopson’s Lillyway Lattimer at Nithview (Jopium Stole My Heart at Lingwell ex Lillyway Loobylou)
Fosse marked 6 ladies absent and a 1st CC went to Melissa and Gataj All That Glitters, who was alone in Limit bitch. Sired by Very Special Agent  Silvestre  at  Gataj out of Gataj All That Sparkles she was born in April 2024 and has a few smaller cards to her name already.
Winning the RBCC, in the ownership of Melissa, was the winner of Junior, also alone, Your Majesty Angel Silvestre at Gataj, bred by Inna Van de Ven in Belgium and sired by Stonehaven Pride Hard Rock out of Bel Ch True Dream Angel Silvestre and she was born in April 2025. BPB went to Morag & Jim McCarte with their import, Sweetmints Yasmin at Roughrigg (Imp Nor) and BVB Sharon Drewery with Evalane Sticky Toffee Lollie at Elshadene. (Ir Ch Kynan Arthur Guinness ex Ir Ch Rowlands  Abbie the Beautiful Lass)
Melissa challenged herself for BOB which went to her Ch Dog, BPIB to Morag and Jim with Sharon Drewery taking BVIB over the Veteran dog winner, Lillyway Latimer at Nithview.
The group had a judge change to David Cavill for adults, Sally Duffin for All Puppy Groups. Hans Almgren from Sweden was booked for Veteran Groups with Frank Borg (Malta) doing Spl Beginner Groups but I could not find any information concerning our breed other than a short listing for Ch Gataj Turn Back Time.
Irish Collie followed directly with Tracy Gartland (Arcot) centre stage and had a very similar entry for her assessment. Tracy was also on her 2nd appointment for Roughs, although she awards CC’s in Shetland Sheepdogs and she last judged at SWKA in 2024.
Her choice for the DCC, his 2nd was the winner of Open, Ballahanna Betrayed, A sable owned and bred by Liam Kelly who already holds a CC and a few RDCC to his name. Sired by Ballahanna All Guns Blazing out of Samhaven Sister Sara with Ballahanna. His previous CC was won at WELKS from Morag McCarte.
The RDCC went to Morag & Jim McCarte with Roughrigg Rags’n’Riches, another homebred and he won PG, although alone. Sired by Ch Roughrigg Rag’n’Bone Man out of Beldones Beaute Blond at Roughrigg and I think this is his 2nd such award.
BPD was a repeat of Belfast, with Zodiac Stars Align Angel Silvestre. BVD was Hazel Jopson’s Lillyway Lattimer at Nithview.
Taking a 1st CC and adding to a splendid day out for Morag & Jim McCarte, was Roughrigg One of A Kind . She won Limit. Sired by Ch Gataj Struck By Lightning out of Ch Roughrigg Remember Me and she was born in Nov 2021. Interesting to note that her dam, Remember Me, gained her 4th CC at Irish Collie 2025.
Winning Puppy and the RBCC was Gataj Miss Sparkles, for Melissa. She is sired by the Belfast DCC winner, Ch Gataj Turn Back Time out of BCC winner at Belfast, Gataj All That Glitters, she was also BPB. Best Veteran bitch went to Thistlewing Celtic Soul for Karafaye and Lorraine Quince.
BOB and BIS was Liam and his Ballahanna Betrayed, RBIS to Roughrigg One of A Kind, BPIS to Gataj Miss Sparkles with Lillyway Lattimer at Nithview taking BVIS.
Whilst a few exhibitors took the weekend off, some decided to support their local open shows, one of which was Julie Edwards and her Beldones Night Shade, a tricolour baby of just six months. At Clitheroe and District CS, Judge Helen Kerfoot awarded her BPIB and Pastoral Puppy G4. Another supporting their local show was Stef Flower who took her Androma Dreamcatcher at Serenlas out and won not only BVIB, but BVIS at Llandysul & District Open Show and made Stefani’s day as this was his 3rd consecutive BVIS award.