East Anglian Collie Association

East Anglian Collie Association Open Show 2

14th April 2024

My thanks to the EACA for the invitation to judge this open show and to the exhibitors for a lovely entry in quality and quantity. Also to my efficient steward, Jacky, who kept the ring running smoothly.

Smooth Collies

Puppy (1,0 abs)

1st Acford’s Coneypark Mattie Brown BP, RBPIS

8 months s/w dog, nice for size with good bone and has a pleasing outline. His head is balanced with a rounded muzzle, dark obliquely set eye and neatly tipped ears carried alertly. He has a good reach of neck, level back and slope over croup to a long low set tail. Still needs to develop in chest, but his angulation is balanced at both ends and he moved with reach and drive.

Yearling (2,1)

1st Sewell’s Wynele Strike It Rich to Lewarne BOB, RBIS, BOSIS

Nicely balanced 18 months tricolour male, stands out for his textbook conformation with a good layback of shoulder and return of upper arm, and corresponding rear assembly, so he stands naturally foursquare. Good wedge head with parallel planes and correct stop, enough underjaw, dark eyes and perfect ear carriage giving a sweet yet masculine expression. Well arched neck, level topline and low set tail complete the picture. Moved as his construction would suggest with a good length of stride in profile and true coming and going.

Postgraduate (2,1)

1st Bemelmans’ Moseliqa Proudfoot

2 year old tricolour male of pleasing body proportions and overall good construction, but I would prefer a little more substance for his age. His head is nicely balanced with parallel planes and correct stop, nicely tipped ears which he used to advantage, and a dark obliquely set eye, but he could do with more fill of foreface. His front movement was a little loose coming towards, but he has good reach in profile and drive from well-muscled hindquarters.

Limit (5,2)

1st Jerrett’s Coldelee Eternal Sunshine JW

Elegant s/w girl with a pleasing outline, she always stood correctly with a well arched neck, level topline with the desired slight rise over a firm loin and sloping croup into a low set tail. She has a good layback of shoulder and length of upper arm, good depth of chest, and a straight front with flexible pasterns. Her head is refined with parallel planes of skull to muzzle, good underjaw, dark obliquely set eye and nicely tipped ears, all combining to give her a soft expression. She moved well from all angles.

2nd Howards’s Shandlmains Sofistikate

Shapely tricolour, nice for size with good length to height ratio. She has a nicely rounded muzzle, obliquely set almond shaped eye although it could be a shade darker, and nicely tipped ears giving a pretty expression when she chooses to use them. She has a good reach of neck and well laid shoulders, I preferred the length of upper arm of 1st, good depth of chest, correct topline and tail set, good bend of stifle and well let down hocks. She also was a sound mover.

Open Dog (2,1)

1st Wensley’s Constella Hazy Cosmic Jive JW

Tricolour boy, appeals for his shape when standing with a nicely arched neck, firm topline, and sweep over croup to long low set tail. His angulation is balanced at both ends, he has a good depth of chest and well sprung ribcage, straight front and flexible pasterns. His head is balanced with well placed stop, nicely rounded muzzle and enough underjaw, dark eye and neatly tipped ears, giving a soft yet masculine expression. He was very sound on the move with good reach and drive from well muscled hindquarters.

Open Bitch (5,1)

1st Benton’s Ch Brackenhaye Queen Of Hearts of Oakestelle RBOB, BOS

Ultra feminine tri girl at the lower end of the size range. I liked her overall construction with a well arched neck, correct layback of shoulder and length of upper arm, with correspondingly good bend of stifle and well let down hocks. She has a good depth of chest, level topline with slight rise over loin and a low set well carried tail. Pleasing head proportions with level planes, flat skull, rounded muzzle, good underjaw, dark obliquely set eye and good ear placement and carriage. She moved soundly from all angles.

2nd Howard’s Brackenhaye Heartbreaker at Shandlmain

Tri litter sister to 1st and built on similar lines but in a slightly larger frame. Outstanding shape with a muscular well arched neck, excellent front and hind angulation, level topline and slope over croup to long low set tail. Pleasing head with correct stop, lovely ear set and carriage, and a dark obliquely set almond shaped eye. Moved well in profile with reach and drive. My notes say “hard to separate these two” and I am sure they often change places.

3rd Cowling’s Koczkodan Serenity BV

Rough Collies

Veteran Dog (6,1)

1st Benton’s Ch Brooklynson El Dorado Shcex BD, RBOB, BOS, BVIS

S/w with a very pleasing outline. Good length to height ratio with enough substance for his ideal size. Super reach of neck into well laid shoulders, good length of upper arm, level topline, nice sweep over croup, long enough tail, good bend of stifle and well let down hocks. He has a pleasing head with a kind expression, flat skull, level planes, nicely rounded muzzle, dark obliquely set almond shaped eye, and neatly tipped ears though they could be carried a shade tighter. Shown in great condition and moved with reach and drive.

2nd White’s Ch Mejola Fate and Fortune Shcex

B/m of nice make and shape with a well arched neck, good layback of shoulder, straight front with good bone, good depth of chest and length of ribcage, good topline and tail set, very good bend of stifle and well let down hocks. His head is nicely moulded with smooth cheeks and nicely rounded muzzle with good underjaw. Dark eyes and neatly tipped ears give him a pleasing expression, love the blaze. Well presented coat of good texture. Moved soundly. It was a close decision between these two, I just preferred the upper arm of 1st.

3rd Bartrams’ Ambartr King Of The Ring

Minor Puppy Dog (2,0)

1st White’s Mejola Top Gun

Liked the overall balance of this boy, he stood four square naturally, he is right for size with a good length to height ratio, super reach of neck which is nicely arched, level topline, nice sweep over croup, and low set tail. He is well angulated at both ends, which showed in his reachy movement with lots of drive from behind. Good depth of chest for his age. His head is balanced, he has a dark eye and well placed and tipped ears giving him a sweet expression, he still needs to fill under the eyes and his stop to clear, but he has time on his side.

2nd Gatt’s Imaginist Superior Sun

7 month baby, still needs to balance out in length to height, and this was accentuated because he stood with his hindquarters tucked underneath him. On handling I found he had a good reach of neck and layback of shoulder, straight front with enough substance, flexible pasterns, a good bend of stifle and well let down hocks. His head still needs to fill out but the proportions are correct, he has a dark obliquely set eye and well placed ears which he used alertly, though they could be trimmed to advantage. Moved with “puppy bounce”, once he grows into himself and settles I am sure he will do well.

Puppy Dog (4,1)

1st Wray-Ramsden’s Takhisis Daggers At Dawn, RBD, BP, BPIS

Really pleasing 10 month s/w dog with a fitting jacket which showed off his overall shape and balance. He has a well arched muscular neck, very good layback of shoulder and length of upper arm, level topline and rise over the loin into a sloping croup and low set long tail. His hindquarters are well muscled with a good bend of stifle, and well let down hocks. His head handles well with parallel planes, slight stop and dark eye, perhaps his ears could be carried a shade tighter, but this did not detract from his kind expression. Moved very soundly from all angles.

2nd Jackson’s Sassari Mister Starman

B/m of good colour. He has a pleasing head with a dark eye and neatly tipped ears, well placed stop, rounded muzzle and good underjaw. When he stands and shows he is nicely balanced with a good length to height ratio, a white collar sets off his well arched neck into well laid shoulders. His upper arm could be a shade longer, but he has a straight front and good depth of chest, level topline, and long enough tail. He was playing his handler up on the move and at times he can stand wide at the back, but just had the edge in maturity over the minor puppy from the previous class.

3rd Gatt’s Imaginist Superior Sun

Junior Dog (2,1)

1st Skinner’s Ladnar Makeithappen for Nikal

B/m, nicely coloured and well broken, presents a pleasing picture when standing. He has a good reach of neck, well laid shoulders and upper arm of good length so his elbow is under his withers, level topline, sloping croup, good bend of stifle, well let down hocks and good length of tail. He needs more depth of chest, but this will come with maturity. His head proportions are correct with slight stop, dark eye and good ear carriage when he chose to use them. As his construction would suggest, he moved out well, with good reach and drive, just a little bit proud of his tail at times

Yearling Dog (4,1)

1st Riverside Song Unbelievable Guy at Stavods (Imp Rom)

S/w dog at the lower end of the size scale but with enough substance, and he stood naturally four square and looked really well balanced. He has a nicely arched neck, good layback of shoulder and return of upper arm, level topline, rise over loin and slope over croup into low set tail, good bend of stifle, and well let down hocks. He has pleasing head properties with just the right amount of stop, parallel planes, flat skull, nicely rounded muzzle, good underjaw, a sweet eye, and neat well carried ears. He moved well from all angles.

2nd Randall’s Ladnar Makemeawinner

B/m litter brother to 1st in Junior and similar remarks apply. I really liked this dog, but he is very much in the teenage stage, lacked the finish and was not so steady on the move as 1st. Nevertheless he has a nice overall shape, with a good reach of neck, level topline and low set tail. Pleasing head and expression with obliquely set dark eye, his ears could be tighter set but are well carried, good underjaw, and nicely rounded muzzle.

3rd Walton’s Sassari Smudge

Post Graduate Dog (7,1)

1st Cronk’s Chelborn’s Gambling List

Tri with a gleaming black well fitting jacket, nice for size and substance Enough neck and well angulated forequarters, straight front, flexible pasterns and good feet. Good depth of chest, level topline, nice slope to croup, low set tail, good bend of stifle and well let down hocks. He has a good balance of skull to muzzle, well filled foreface, a dark almond shaped obliquely set eye, and nicely tipped ears, and although he is perhaps a shade deep in stop this does not detract from a sweet expression. Moved with good reach and drive.

2nd Vogans’ Luminous Moon over Lenosann

B/m with a coat of super colour and texture. Pleasing shape with a well arched neck, good topline and tailset. His angulation is balanced at both ends, so he moved well enough, if a bit proud of his tail. His head is pleasing with parallel planes, correct stop, dark obliquely set almond shaped eye and nicely tipped ears which gave a sweet expression when he used them. Close decision between these two but just preferred the profile movement of 1st.

3rd Chaplin’s Takhisis Lysander

Limit Dog (3,0)

1st May’s Camanna Careerchangeing for Maqueeba

S/w, liked his overall shape and balance with sufficient substance for his ideal size. He has enough neck, a good layback of shoulder, straight front with flexible pasterns, good depth of chest, and his hind angulation is balanced with his forequarters, so he moved soundly if a little reluctantly on the day. His head has parallel planes, enough stop, nicely rounded muzzle, pleasing eye shape and placement, his skull is a shade broad so his ears could be tighter set, but his expression is still sweet.

2nd Phillips’ Essanjay Against All Odds

Tricolour, rather stronger in head properties than 1st. His ear set could be tighter, but he has a nice eye shape and placement, nicely rounded muzzle, and enough underjaw. He has a well arched neck, well laid shoulder and return of upper arm, straight front with round bone, flexible pasterns, level topline and sweep over croup, good bend of stifle, well let down hocks, long enough tail. Shown in good coat, well presented. He moved OK in profile but a little close going away.

3rd Corben & Harvey’s Ambartr Black Knight at Wicani

Open Dog (2,1)

1st Allsopps’ Aqualita It’s a Miracle

Tricolour, nice for size with a pleasing outline. Good length of neck and well angulated forequarters, good depth of chest and spring of rib, good bend of stifle and well let down hocks, enabling him to move well. Masculine wedge head with correct proportions, smooth cheeks and nicely rounded muzzle, dark almond shaped eye and, and neatly tipped ears. Not an enthusiastic showman but when alert he has the desired sweet expression.

Veteran Bitch (7,1)

1st Stillwell’s Bellawave Caught In A Dream

Attractive 10 year old tricolour, nice for size and substance with a gleaming coat, liked her length to height ratio. Nicely arched neck of good length, straight front with flexible pasterns, good feet, good depth of chest, level topline and nice sweep over croup down to tail of good length, very good bend of stifle, and well let down hocks. Pleasing head with good balance of skull to muzzle, correct stop, nice eye shape and placement, her ears could be slightly better tipped but she carries them well. She has lost a bit of fill in foreface which can be expected in a veteran, but she has a charming expression. Moved soundly.

2nd Benton’s Ch Brooklynson Jane Russell of Oakestelle VW

Close up to 1st, I also liked the make and shape of this girl, similar remarks apply as she too is well constructed and moved accordingly, belying her years. She has a sweet expression with a dark obliquely set eye and neat ears which she used well, but I felt her stop could be slightly better defined and I would like a firmer underjaw.

3rd Vogan’s Lenosann Black Cherry

Minor Puppy Bitch (2,0)

1st Hanson’s Mejola The Special One with Jards BMPIS

Aptly named 9 month g/s/w, nicely balanced with enough bone for her ideal size at this stage of development, and naturally stands foursquare. She has a super reach of neck enhanced by a full white collar, good layback of shoulder, she still needs her topline to level off but this will come, straight front with flexible pasterns, good feet, well angulated hindquarters, and nice sweep over croup into a long low set tail. She still needs to develop in stop, and her foreface needs to fill, but she has a dark almond shaped eye and neat ears when she chooses to use them, giving the desired sweet expression. She moved really soundly for one so young.

2nd White’s Mejola Federal Reserve

Litter sister to 1st, again well constructed with a good reach of neck, good layback of shoulder and length of upper arm with her elbow right under the withers, good bend of stifle and well let down hocks. She is slightly shorter in head but still balanced in skull to muzzle with very good ear set and carriage, a dark almond shaped eye, and enough underjaw. She moved with a bit of puppy bounce and looked very much a baby, so her sister had the edge in maturity.

Puppy Bitch (4,0)

1st Walder’s Hanvale Patsy Stone BPB

Pretty s/w in profuse coat, nice for size and substance, and her excellent construction was apparent both standing and on the move. She has a well arched neck of good length, level topline and gentle slope over the croup to a low set tail. She has a nicely moulded wedge head with just the right amount of stop, good underjaw, dark obliquely set almond shaped eye and nicely tipped ears which she used all the time, giving her a really sweet expression.

2nd Wray-Ramsden’s Takhisis Dawn Chorus

Very close up and similar in type to 1st, but not so settled on the day. She too has a good reach of neck, layback of shoulder and return of upper arm, good depth of chest, level topline and sweep over the croup, good bend of stifle and well let down hocks. Pleasing head with correct eye shape and placement, nicely rounded muzzle, perhaps a shade deeper in stop than the ideal, but when she deigned to use her ears she has a melting expression. She moved very soundly from all angles.

3rd Stillwell’s Wicani That’s Amore with Bellawave

Junior Bitch (7,0)

1st Cronk’s Skabona If I Saw You In Heaven for Chelborn (Imp Swe)

B/m who appealed for her overall outline and balance. Good reach of neck, well angulated forehand, level topline, good bend of stifle, well let down hocks, long enough tail with good carriage on the move. Correct head proportions with flat skull, slight stop, nicely rounded muzzle, almond shaped eye and good ear carriage, loved her expression. Profuse coat of good colour and well broken. Moved well with reach and drive. One with a promising future, I’m sure.

2nd Whitaker’s Siluto Bluberry Mist

Another b/m, not in her best jacket, but it is a good colour and fits her outline. She stood naturally four square and has a pleasing shape with head carried proudly on a well arched neck. Good layback of shoulder and return of upper arm, good bend of stifle, well let down hocks, and tail of good length. Pleasing head of correct proportions, smooth cheeks, rounded muzzle, good underjaw. Ear set good though could be better tipped, and dark well shaped eye, combine to give pleasing expression. Sound mover.

3rd Walders’ Hanvale Patsy Stone

Yearling Bitch (2,1)

1st Whitaker’s Siluto Blueberry Mist

2nd Corben’s Wisewyn For Eternity via Caprioara (Imp Port)

Tricolour, nicely balanced with a pleasing outline, good bone for her size, and she is very well made with a decent reach of neck, very good forehand angulation, good depth of chest, nice bend of stifle and well let down hocks. She has a good balance of skull to muzzle, almond shaped obliquely set eye and well carried ears but I would prefer a better defined stop, and more underjaw and fill of foreface. She moved well as her construction would suggest, if a little proud of her tail.

Post Graduate Bitch (7,3)

1st Beardsworth’s Maysinder Sapphire Reign

Attractive b/m, her coat is clear silvery blue and well broken, and she draws the eye for her lovely shape. She is well made throughout with enough bone for her ideal size, well arched neck, level topline, good depth of chest, and strong well angulated hindquarters. She really scored in head properties with a nicely rounded muzzle, good underjaw, very dark almond shaped eye and neatly tipped ears giving her the sweetest expression. She was very sound on the move, and I liked her a lot.

2nd Hull’s Lizmark Diamonds For Ever

S/w, totally lacking in enthusiasm on the day. That said, her construction is good with enough reach of neck, good layback of shoulder and length of upper arm, straight front with flexible pasterns and neat feet, level topline and slight rise over the loin into a graceful slope over the croup and low set tail. Her head is clean with a well filled foreface and she has a sweet dark eye, but her ears are rather wide set and a tad heavy which mars her expression. She was sound on the move if a bit reluctant.

3rd Radford-House & Durrant’s Chelborn’s Betting List for Fivejays

Limit Bitch (3,1)

1st Randalls’ Ladnar Izadorable BB, BOB & BIS

Another quality b/m exhibit with this affix. Her coat is fitting which shows off her beautiful outline. She is really well made, and every time I looked she was standing foursquare with impassive dignity as the standard calls for. Everything is in proportion, she has a beautifully arched neck of good length, well laid shoulders and return of upper arm, level topline and sweep over croup, good bend of stifle, well let down hocks, and a low set tail carried with a swirl at the tip. Her head handles well with parallel planes, flat skull, smooth cheeks and nicely rounded muzzle with good underjaw, and with her dark obliquely set almond shaped eyes and neatly tipped ears carried on top she has a really dreamy expression. She moved effortlessly as her construction would suggest and well deserved top honours on the day.

2nd Cronk’s Chelborn Gambler’s Wish

S/w, not quite the outline of 1st as she has a very profuse coat which hides her shape to some extent. Underneath it she is well made with a good reach of neck and layback of shoulder, I would prefer a shade longer upper arm, but she has a straight front with good bone, enough depth of chest and spring of rib, and well angulated hindquarters. She has a very feminine head with good balance of skull to muzzle, correct stop, good underjaw, nice dark eye, and neatly tipped ears which she uses all the time giving a very appealing expression. She moved very soundly from all angles.

3rd Whitaker’s Siluto Misterious Girl

Open Bitch (6,4)

1st Wray-Ramsden’s Takhisis Lady Of Illusions RBB

Smart s/w with a profuse coat of good texture and beautifully presented. She is so well balanced with a super outline, having a nicely arched neck, good forehand angulation, straight front with flexible pasterns, neat feet, good depth of chest and spring of rib, level topline, strong loin and sloping croup to long low set tail, good bend of stifle, and well let down hocks. Her head handles well with correct proportions of skull to muzzle, skull could perhaps be leaner but she has a well placed stop, nicely rounded muzzle and good underjaw, dark expressive almond shaped eyes, and nicely tipped ears, giving a sweet and feminine expression. A sound mover with pleasing profile action.

2nd Radford-House & Durrant’s Ingledene Midnite Skye With Fivejays

Eyecatching tricolour with a big white collar and a shiny black fitting coat. Lots to like about her, she has a pleasing outline with nicely arched neck of good length, level topline and low set well carried tail. She has a good layback of shoulder and length of upper arm, and correspondingly well angulated and muscled hindquarters, so moved with good reach and drive. Pleasing head with parallel planes, smooth cheeks and rounded muzzle, obliquely set dark almond shaped eyes and good ear carriage. I was splitting hairs between these girls, and just preferred the expression of 1st.

Marion Withers (Judge)