Oswestry and District Kennel Association  Open show
19th March, 2023
Oswestry showground

First of all, I’d like to thank the officers and committee at Oswestry for their invitation to judge at this show. This is one of the friendliest shows in the area, and I’ve wanted to judge here since I moved to the area 13 years ago. As always, it was well run, and well organized.

I would also like to thank my steward Donald who was extremely good and made my task so much easier. I can’t end without mentioning the kitchen team who catered brilliantly for the judges, stewards, and exhibitors.

My thanks also to Simon Luxmoore the Pastoral Group judge, and Pauline Luxmoore-Ball the Best in show judge, for thinking so well of my choices.

All my entries were well turned out and a credit to their groomers. I also love to see well groomed feet, and well trimmed and tipped ears, and in all cases, they were.

Moving on to my critiques, I’m not going to bore you with the usual stock phrases and tired clichés you read from many judges in all breeds. This approach may not go down well with some exhibitors, but I’m going to keep it simple and tell it as I saw it.

ROUGH COLLIES

Junior (4 entries, 0 absent)

A 9 month old blue merle bitch. As you would expect from this breeder, this blue merle bitch was well turned out and expertly handled.Her coat was an lovely blue, and on going over her, I couldn’t find a single thing that let her down. She was extremely attentive to her owner/handler, and glided round the ring effortlessly.

A 16 month old sable and white bitch. A bitch who I have seen many times and admired in the ring Today she was a bit skittish and I felt she was a bit restless on the move, otherwise, on any other day, she could have got that first place.

Post Graduate (2,2)

Sadly, both entries were absent.

Open (4,2)

A 4½ year old blue merle dog. Well – all I can say here is WOW! Another clear blue coat, which shone through. A tad heavily marked for my personal taste, but that’s extremely nit picking. He was outstanding in every respect. His only fault is that I don’t own him!!

A 9 year old veteran tricolour bitch who belied her age on the move. Groomed well, and in good condition. Unlucky to come up against my first place today, but made up for it in Vetaran group with a 2nd place.

At the group stage, I was delighted when the Pastoral group judge Simon Luxmoore awarded my two rough collie choices Group 1 and Puppy Group 1. My thanks to him for his placings.

I stayed for Best of Breed judging, and the icing on the cake came when Best in Show judge Pauline Luxmoore-Ball awarded my rough collie adult 3rd, Best in Show, and my rough collie puppy Best Puppy In Show. My heartfelt thanks to her for her placings.

To say I’m on cloud nine is an understatement right now!!

Denis Beardsworth
Maysinder