Collie Association

THE COLLIE ASSOCIATION – BEST IN SHOW

OCTOBER 13th

To receive an invitation to judge at this 90th Anniversary show was a delight that I had to accept, bearing in mind the connections, not only I have, but my mother Aileen, who is a life member that we have had with this club, both serving as Secretary over a joint 42 years between us.

This show was organised very well, and in the good hands of the Committee, no doubt this Club will continue to go from strength to strength. As an anniversary show there were numerous awards for all winners and especially those who took the higher awards and everyone appeared to be enjoying the spectacle of a very special event

Firstly, I was called up, on the completion of the judging of both dogs and bitches to decide BOB, here I would like to congratulate both Lene Newman and Jo Hodges for sending forward such good examples of the breed, although both exhibits matched the standard in so many departments, they were of a slightly differing type and both were collecting a 2nd CC on the day.

The dog, Int/Fi/DK/NO/LT Ch Skabona Mix’n’Match owned by Bo & Natalia Skalin is an upstanding, well presented sable is of correct size, lovely outline and a pleasing head. Good shoulders and top-line and one who could work all day and presented in excellent coat and condition. Too see him cover the ring so easily was a pleasure.

The tricolour bitch, Millubie Essence of Magic at Wassail just stood and asked to be admired, excelled in presentation. A beautifully balanced head, well moulded foreface. Good eye set and her expression was just enhanced when she used her correctly placed ears. She is not a big girl but she is all in proportion with ample neck, good shoulders and well balanced overall. On the move, she too was an easy mover and her glamour and breed type swung a very difficult decision in her favour.

For Best Puppy In Breed, I had 2 promising Minor babies, both from the same kennel but bred differently. The bitch puppy, Beldones Classic Touch has much potential and when she settles down to the job in hand should do well. I liked her head and foreface. Good body for her age and just coming into that lovely “puppy bloom” but she had to give way to Beldones Ivory Star. Another sable with only a day’s difference in age. He is growing well and at this stage, his head properties were more mature and masculine, with a lovely eye and expression and good ear set. Good neck and well-placed shoulders, lovely bone and feet and even with a change of handler moved well and covered the ground easily and this was my deciding factor for BPIB

Two lovely examples of the breed had been sent forward with Ch Mejola Fate and Fortune ShCex at just 8.5 years young representing the gentlemen and for the ladies, Ch Brooklynson Jane Russell of Oakestelle VW ShCex a very sprightly 11 years young.

Having judged the dog a few years previously, I have seen him in slightly better coat and sparkle. He is a blue of correct size, pleasing head and expression. Good body and construction but the sable lady just bounced around like a sprightly 2-year-old and she was also carrying an excellent coat of good texture for her age and was so enjoying her day out. She too has a pleasing head, good neck and shoulders, lovely length of back and good bone and feet and can certainly move out with style and panache and subsequently took BVIB

Later, following the Smooth Collie judging, I would like to congratulate Jenny Miller on her choice for BOB, a bitch I have actually handed a CC to in the past, but maybe as it was late in the day she was not in the sparkling form that I had encountered previously. A tricolour, now Ch Brackenhaye Heartbreaker at Shandlmain, she is a lovely example of the breed with such a pleasing head and sweet expression, so difficult to attain in a tricolour. Good body, legs and feet but showed some tiredness in the final line up for BIS, but she is still a lovely lady.

Therefore, it was my pleasure to award BIS, along with so many specials and cash prizes to Di Ware and her pretty tricolour lady and I hope your 3rd CC is not too far away. BPIS went to the rough puppy and BVIS also to the rough.

Carole A Smedley