Rough Collie Breed Notes

This Week, exhibitors had to make a choice, North for Ayrshire Collie Championship Show, South to Chieveley for London Collie Open and various venues in between but possibly due to the financial issues and current cost of fuel prevented too many attending  either  show with lower than usual entry numbers received.
However, before reporting on these shows, I was saddened to read details of the recent demise of both Jane Lilley (Tensing) and Tony Leverton (Rhodabern)
Firstly, Jane Lilley, who is better known for her contributions to both dog papers, sadly both extinct but she was also as an approved judge for our breed. Jane only handed out CC’s once. This was at Blackpool in 2018 but was well known in other circles and tributes to her will follow.
Secondly, I was very sad to learn of the death of a local breeder/exhibitor, Tony Leverton. Living not too far away from us he was a lovely man and so helpful to all.
He and his wife Barbara, better known as Barb, kept a small kennel of roughs some of whom did a good deal of winning although if I recall, never really made headlines but nearly every collie shown gained a KCSB No, which in the days of much higher numbers was a good achievement. Those I recall, under the Rhodabern affix include Happy Harry, Rose Royce, Jumping Jack Flash to name a few. Based on breeding which included Mallicot, Elsamos and Steelhurst all coming from a few well-bred dams based on similar lines.
Tony was an approved judge and officiated at his first appointment in 2010 at National Working & Pastoral Breeds, with appointments following at Scottish, Ayrshire and London Collie for his last in 2021. Tony served as a Committee member at WECS and a long-time friendship with Chairman, Phil Amos evolved.
A person who would always help, I recall one incident when a group of us were invited to judge in Finland. Hoping to meet at London Airport, we became concerned when Phil Amos did not arrive. To cut a long story short, Phil’s car broke down but he made the flight. Coming home, with his car still in a London garage, I offered him a lift and we arranged for his good friend Tony to collect him from a nearby location and Tony drove him home, at a rather late hour, to Somerset.  That is the sort of friend we all need in dogs. RIP Tony, we have many fond memories.

Now to the shows, starting with the wonderful garden party show at Chieveley Village Hall where the officers and committee welcomed all to their Open Show. Judging was delayed for a short while due to incidents on local motorways and the events held at Newbury Showground. In this day and age, with mobile phone contact, some exhibitors were able to let LCC know of these delays and judging was delayed accordingly. Before any judging commenced, a moment of silence and reflection for Tony Leverton and Aileen Speding was observed. 
Held outside, the legacy of the late Frank Mitchell (Glenmist) continued  as the weather held all day and many were taking advantage of the warmth and sunshine, enhanced by refreshments provided by Vikki Murray, all of which were offered at very reasonable prices and enjoyed by many.
Cate Hollinshead (Starlyn) was the judge for the day and set about her task in confident and sensible manner. Although the entry was not big, there were some interesting classes for her to assess
There were no entries for the Baby Puppy classes and the first class was the mixed Veteran class won by a very sprightly Amalie Just Annie at Terelimon for Monica Wells over 4 other entrants.
Best Dog went to the Junior winner, Prince of Sunlight Tadaam Salsina (Imp Hun) for Jayne & Carl Llewellyn who were some of those who had been delayed in the traffic issues. A tricolour sired by Prince of Sunlight Quite Riot out of Prince of Sunlight Vendetta. RBD went to Christine & Noel with their Ch Triburle Bluebolero who won the Open class and they too had been delayed in their journey to the show.  With just 2 males in the puppy class, Fivejays Sparkle Dazzler took BPD
For the ladies, much better filled classes, with Salsina Sweet Child of Mine was declared BPB for Jayne & Carl. BB was a win for Chantique Sent From Heaven to Lillyway and Julie Growcott with another win for Jayne & Carl with Salsina Blushing Rose. Having a few in the challenge, Jayne required the help of Christine to handle, and fun and games resulted as Christine’s handling skills being questioned by her puppy who only really wanted her “mum” Jayne. Much to the amusement of many.
BOB went to the sable bitch, RBOB to Salsina Blushing Rose, BPIB to Salsina Sweet Child of Mine. Best Veteran to Amalie Just Annie at Terelimon.
Cate also judged the Special classes for Tricolours, Blue Merles and Sables with good entries for each section. In the Blue Merle class, Shelley Skinner and Ladnar Makeithappen for Nikal won, in the sable section, Ann Page’s Lynmead Prince Charming, and Blamorder Scale Force with Freejack took the tricolour section.
At the end of the day, BIS was the Smooth, RBIS and BOSIS to the rough, BPIS also to the rough and BVIS to the smooth, all judged by Russell Jones (Quemerford).
Further north, Ayrshire Collie Club held a Championship show, indoors at a new venue of Loudoun Leisure Centre, Galston, Ayrshire with Grenville Francis (Peblu) officiating over his entry of 48, again with a few absentees.
As many are aware, Secretary Morag & husband Jim McCarte (President) are intending to relinquish their posts at the forthcoming AGM but have a small committee to help but on the day, this was further depleted by absence due to other issues.
The committee were allowed into this new venue the previous day, to set up the show. My grateful thanks and those of ACC, to Alyson Carmichael, who, I understand was not only stewarding but also sending down the results to both myself and Julie. Thank you.
Grenville, former Secretary to Irish Collie Club last judged at Scottish Breeds in 2023, with previous appointments at British, Blackpool, Bath and Crufts in 2016.
Finding his CC winner from the Open class, GG, or better known as Ch Kourika The Gigolo took his 4th CC. Sired by Kourika King Pin out of Kourika Dressed to Thrill for Robin Blaikie, now intending to put down roots again in his home country.
The RDCC, repeating his success from the Irish shows, was the sable owned by Jim & Morag McCarte, Roughrigg Rags’n’Riches who won from PG . BPD went to Brian & Odile with Beldones Mr Kite and Veteran was Kourika Frosted Ice for Nancy Houlihan. (Moondance de Cabrenysset for Brihow out of Ch Kourika Karrizma and is a brother to the sire of the DCC winner)
In bitches, another repeat from the Irish shows as Jim McCarte piloted Roughrigg One of A Kind to her 2nd CC in just under a week and she won the Open class. Taking back the RBCC was another recent winner, Beldones Fantasy who had won the Limit bitch class for Odile and Brian. BPB was another win to add to the collection for Gataj Miss Sparkles and Melissa. Daphne Iley and her Call Me A Dreamer in Blue For Ileyda Della Verde Scozia JW took Veteran.
Grenville’s choice for BOB/BIS fell to Robin and GG, with RBIS & BOSIS to Roughrigg One of A Kind. BPIS to Beldones Mr Kite and BVIS to Daphne and her blue lady.
Throughout the day, ACC would like to thank all those who helped and mention to be made for the following: The Family of the  late Rab Finlay (Firecraig) had donated a rather special bottle of whisky, Wullie Moffat’s Waronsett’s family also donated special rosettes for BD & BB. Jean Kenny had donated specially engraved paperweights for both Veteran winners and the All Ireland Collie & Sheepdog Society donated a beautiful Rosette for BIS. On behalf of ACC, such donations are always gratefully received with thanks.