Herts & Essex Border Canine Society

Herts & Essex Border Canine Society Sunday, 23rd March 2025 Thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge at their premier show. Also, thanks to the London & Provincial Collie Club for nominating me for the appointment of their supported entry classes. Finally, the biggest thank you to the exhibitors who took the time and effort to support these classes. I was especially pleased to find such wonderful temperaments in all exhibits in both the Smooth and Rough Collies, and that all were shown in a good clean condition. Collie (Smooth) Puppy (2,1) 1st – Benton & Bemelmans’ Blamorder Double or Quits of Oakestelle. 10 mth old blue-merle bitch of good size and clear colour. Very attentive to her handler, which helped show off her attributes on the stand. Fantastic friendly temperament. Head in proportion to body, parallel planes with adequate stop, skull flat and topped with large ears which were correctly tipped. Dark eyes slightly round, but this will change whilst her head matures, but does not defer from her sweet and alert expression. Good width to her chest, front legs straight with good bone, rear angulation correct and not overdone – together these gave her the tools for sound and powerful movement in all directions. Was pleased to award her RBOB & BPIB, and to hear that she was awarded PG2 later in the day – well done! Limit (1,0) 1st – Corben & Glover’s Stormsett Serendipity. 2 yr old tri-bitch of good size. Having judged her a few months ago, I was delighted to see what progress she has made now that she is settling into herself. Head in proportion to size of her body, good parallel planes. Ears a little stubborn today, although well tipped, they did not want to come up. Dark, almond shaped eyes set correctly. Good length of neck, well arched. Good width of chest, going down into nice straight legs, body improving with time just needs a little more, strong rear, tail of good length. A little excited today, difficult to assess the movement. Open (4,2) 1st – Sewell’s Ch. Wynele Strike it Rich to Lewarne JW. 2 yr old tri dog, with a deep black topcoat. Masculine head in proportion with body, a slight but perceptible stop, parallel planes, and typical wedge shape. Almond shaped eyes of correct size and position. Large well tipped ears used well. Strong neck leading into a mature body. Front legs straight with angles, and decent width of chest. Hindquarters are well muscled, stifles well bent. Settled on the move, with plenty of reach and drive. Happy to award him BOB today. 2nd – Benton’s Ch. Oakestelle Artemis ShCEx VW. 7 yr old blue-merle bitch with a lovely outline. Feminine head of good proportions, skull flat, and parallel planes. Eyes dark and of correct shape and size. Ears slightly light due to her age, but still used well to help give her an alert expression. She has matured in body since I last judged her and has developed a better width of chest. Angulation good in front and rear. Having too much fun today and would not settle on the move. Collie (Rough) Puppy (2,0) Two lovely puppies, and difficult to choose between them. Ultimately I preferred the head of 1st, but they easily could swap on another day. 1st – Moore & Corben’s Omordha Wishing Dream. 8 mth old tri-bitch. Head is in proportion to her body, flat skull, parallel planes and typical wedge shape. Good dark eyes of correct size and shape. Ears well used and adequately tipped. Good front angulation, body needs a little more time but will come. Well bent stifle, currently a little weak in hock on the stand but no weakness in her movement. BPIB. 2nd – Gatt’s Wicani Belladonna. 6 mth old tri-bitch. Head in proportion to size, skull flat, planes parallel. Eyes a little round at the moment, to be expected whilst her head matures. This did not deter from her sweet expression, which matched her wonderful temperament. Good body, front and rear angulation good. A little playful on the move yet glimpses of power and drive were there. Junior (2,0) 1st – Corben’s Atirakin Path of Cassiopeia via Capriaora. Confident 14 mth old tri-bitch. Clean wedge shaped head, parallel planes, and flat skull. Dark, almond shaped eyes. Ears well set, and used to her advantage. Nice length of neck, and well arched. Well angulated from, nice body, and correct rear angulation. Moved well. 2nd – Radford-House & Durrant’s Ingledene Spirit is Legend at Fivejays. 14 mth old tri-dog, going through a typical teenage stage. Masculine head, although would prefer a slightly narrower stop and a larger eye. Ears correctly placed and used well. Another with a well arched neck, and of fair length. Good front angulation, neat feet. Well bent stifle & good length to his tail. He wasn’t in the mood to behave on the move today. Limit (6,1) 1st – Cooper’s Kelekona Hearts of Gold JW. 2 ½ yr old sable & white male, who caught my eye as soon as he entered the ring, just my kind of rough. Head is in proportion to body, skull flat, parallel planes, wedge shaped and not too deep through. Well placed, dark almond shaped eyes gave him an alert but caring expression. Ears well placed and used to his advantage. Ample neck which is well arched. Front and rear angulation correct, providing him with the tools for a powerful drive and good reach on the move. Unfortunately, he forgot himself in the challenge, and typical male adolescence kicked in! I was still pleased that I was able to award him RBOB. 2nd – Chaplin’s Takhisis Lysander. 3 ½ yr old sable & white male. A different head type to first, although still had the typical wedge shape, parallel planes and set with dark eyes. Liked his overall size and balance. Good width of chest, front and rear angulation correct. Had better drive on the move than the others in the class. Open (3,1) 1st – Benton’s Ch. Brooklynson Jane Russell of Oakestelle VW ShCEx. 10 yr old sable and white bitch, a true matriarch of the breed. Head is in proportion to the body, with flat skull and parallel planes. Eyes dark, well placed, almond shaped and alert. Ears well-tipped and used well. Front and rear angulation good. Although pasterns are starting to show slight sign of age-related weakness, this did not in any way affect her movement, which was light, effortless, and full of drive. Pleased to add to her BOB tally. 2nd – Corben’s Astromelias Ulises via Caprioara (Imp Esp). 7 yr old sable and white male. Starting to lose his coat due to the sudden change in weather, but still plenty to like. Head a touch strong but maintained all the typical features of a collie. Front and rear angulation good. Moved well but preferred the reach and drive of 1st. Keira Martin