I would first like to express my thanks to West of England Collie Society’s committee for their invitation to judge rough Collies at this friendly show. Thanks to my stewards on the day.
Biggest thanks of course to all the exhibitors who gave me the pleasure of going over some fabulous dogs. And for accepting my decisions with good grace. it was lovely to hear applause as dogs were placed, something sadly missing at many shows.
Sadly, the weather wasn’t kind to us, and we were unable to use the lovely space outside. Inevitably this reflected on the movement of many, who on another day could well have featured higher.
VETERAN DOG (3.0)
- Patman’s PICKPOCKET VIA SAMHAVEN 10 year old S/W of good size. lovely expression coming from dark almond eyes, balanced head and well used ears. Coat was in good condition and well presented though now lacking some feathering. Hind movement slightly erratic on mats. BVD
- Hogg’s BROOKYNUT STORM’S LEGACY Almost 8 year old, smaller size than winner. Good body: height ratio. Clean head with kind expression. Moved fairly well.
- Scamp’s AARONWELL AYEBEECEE AT MARKETDENE
MINOR PUPPY DOG (1.0)
- Lockyer’s SWEETMINT’S WHAT A BUZZ AT GATAJ (Imp Nor) 8 month old tricolour of good size and with a wealth of coat of lovely shiny black contrasting with his sparkling whites. He has an excellent shoulder placement, and rear angulation for his age. His ears were slightly low set for me but hopefully this will change as he was slightly overawed by the indoor noise. Movement was slightly close behind but he is a baby and I’m sure this will change. BPD
PUPPY DOG (2.0)
- Lockyer’s PRINCE OF SUNLIGHT THRILLED BY THE DIFFERENCE AT GATAJ (Imp.Hun) 9 1/2 month old S/W with a wealth of beautifully groomed coat. Well constructed head with sweet expression. His proportions were good with nice length of body. I felt he was slightly steep in upper arm at the moment but this will probably adjust as he grows. rear angulation was good.
- Toogood’s HANVALE RALPH LAUREN. 9 1/2 month S/W. Well presented coat. Good shoulder and topline. Lovely expression from a well balanced head. Movement was rather unsettled, and he gave his handler a really hard time in this class.
JUNIOR DOG (3.0)
- Collins’ TRIBURLE THE JOKER 14m S/W in beautifully presented coat. Lovely head with sweetest of expressions. Good length:height ratio and long tail. Once he settled, he stood well to show off his lovely shape. Steady mover.
- Toogood’s HANVALE RALPH LAUREN
- Skinner’s LADNAR MAKEITHAPPEN FOR NIKAL
SPECIAL YEARLING DOG (2.0)
- Collins’ TRIBURLE BLUEBOLERO Almost 2 year old masculine dog. Lovely length of back and excellent shoulder placement. Moved out well in the limited space. Coat is coming to a lovely colour of excellent texture and really well presented. he was reluctant to use his ears in the challenge. Would love to see him shown outdoors.
- Lockyer’s GATAJ TURN BACK TIME 23 month old S/W. Another lovely dog with the sweetest expression. Perfectly presented coat. Slightly shorter cast than 1 but has good angulation and muscle. Moved out well. Difficult decision between these two but I just preferred the masculinity of the blue.
NOVICE DOG (3.1a)
- Toogood’s HANVALE RALPH LAUREN
- Melonie’s ATIRIKIN SNOW SLIDES ON HIGH 3 year old tricolour. Not in full coat. I found him to be slightly upright in shoulder which affected his movement, making it rather stilted. Lovely happy boy who wasnt phased by the floor or noise.
GRADUATE DOG (2.0)
- Skinner’s LADNAR MAKEITHAPPEN FOR NIKAL 14 month blue boy who is his own worst enemy! He has a lovely construction when he stands still long enough to go over him. He was short of coat today but he has lovely texture and colour. He is a little fine at the moment but I’m sure he will fill out once he settles down. He has a cheeky expression from well placed eyes and ears and adequate stop. Moved with enthusiasm.
- Melonie’s ATIRIKIN SNOW SLIDES ON HIGH
POST GRADUATE DOG (1.1a)
LIMIT DOG
- Hawkins SERENLAS BLACK MAGIC 2 1/2 year old well presented tricolour. Good expression from well balanced head. Height: length ratio was lovely. Angulation front and rear was adequate. Front movement good but was a little close behind.
- Melonie’s ATIRIKIN SNOW SLIDES ON HIGH
OPEN DOG (2.0)
- LLewellyn, Svenstad & Tempelen NOR.CH RIVERSIDE SONG EXPLORER OF HEARTS (Imp Nor) 6year old, shaded sable and white. He has the most melting expression emanating from his beautifully balanced head, almond eyes and well placed and used ears. He has length of back and stands with the “impassive dignity” the standard desires. He is a lovely size and moved well, with reach and drive despite the limited space. BD.
- Cronk’s CHELBORN THAT’LL DO. 4year old tricolour of lovely colour. Black was jet black and whites were sparkling and immaculately presented. He has excellent shoulder and rear angulation. His head was balanced, and his expression was so pleasing and difficult to get in tricolours. Moved out well with excellent drive. He is slightly smaller than my winner and on the day, I preferred the size and expression of the winner. RBD
VETERAN BITCH (3.0)
- Denton’s BROOKLYNSON JOLENE AT RIFFLESEA 10 year old S/W in the most amazing condition. Not a glamorous girl but well put together to create a workmanlike collie. She moved out well across the floor and could have shown some of the younger ones a thing or two. She was well presented and enjoying herself. Thank you for bringing her BVIS
- Scamp’s STREGATO THE MALEFICENT Well proportioned 7 1/2 year old shaded sable. Good angulation front and rear. moved ok but not the “joie de vivre” of my winner.
- Skinners SAMHAVEN TIME IS MONEY WITH NIKAL. 10 year old tricolour who still retains the refined head of her youth. Stands and shows so well but beginning to show her age on the move. But always enjoys her day out. Thank you for bringing her.
MINOR PUPPY BITCH (2.0)
- Lockyer’s GATAJ PINK GLITTER 8 1/2 month S/W. Lovely head with the sweetest of expressions. Well proportioned body showing nice rise over loin. Neat feet. Moved well for one so young. Well handled and immaculately presented as were all from this exhibitor.
- Denton’s CONEYPARK CHOCOLAT 8 1/2 month dark sable of lovely colour. Well grown, tail lovely and long, she is currently rather high on the leg and lacking in coat. Preferred the breed type of my winner.
PUPPY BITCH (3.0)
- Walder’s HANVALE PATSY STONE 9 1/2 month golden sable of good proportions. Well angulated front and rear. Nicely balanced head for her age giving a pretty expression. She moved out well as one would expect. Expertly handled and presented. BPIS
- Mason’s ELSHAJO BOLD OVER FOR LYNOCEAN 11m S/W more mature than 1. Very pretty girl with sweet expression. Head balanced and ears used well. Decent angulation and moved well. In very nice coat which was well presented. However, I would like to see her grow on a bit more.
- Collins’ STONEHAVEN PRIDE PURE PASSION FOR TRIBURLE
JUNIOR BITCH (4.1a)
- Cronk’s SKABONA IF I SAW YOU IN HEAVEN FOR CHELBORN (Imp Swe) 14month blue merle of the most stunning colour. Not hugely coated so shows off her gorgeous shape. She is well proportioned and balanced. Head has lovely parallel planes. Moved out well with reach and drive. Expertly presented and handled. RBB
- Walder’s HANVALE PATSY STONE
- Melonie’s ATIRIKIN STAR DUNES
SPECIAL YEARLING BITCH (2.0)
- Rae’s GATAJ MAJESTIC HOPE 18month S/W Lovely outline with nice proportions. Pretty expression from well constructed head. Parallel planes well placed eye and ears. Moved reasonably well though a little unsettled.
- Melonies ATIRAKIN STAR DUNES Well grown 14 month S/W. Well proportioned body but head a little long for, moved out enthusiastically across floor. I preferred the breed type of 1.
NOVICE BITCH (4.2)
- Walder’s HANVALE PATSY STONE
- Mills’ AMALIE LOVES TO SHIMMY WITH WILLOWCOMBE 2year old tricolour. Good body shape with nice topline. Pretty head with sweet expression. Unsettled which affected her movement.
GRADUATE BITCH (7.3a)
- Ware’s MILLUBIE ESSENCE OF MAGIC AT WASSAIL Very pretty 2 1/2 year old tricolour. Quite petite but beautifully proportioned. Excellent parallel head planes with well placed stop. Front and rear angulation good which showed in her movement and ttopline.
- Collins’ TRIBURLE SEREN DLOS 26 month blue merle of bigger build than 1. Good construction and head planes. A little reluctant to use her ears but when she does, she lives up to her name with lovely expression. Her coat is a good blue and was well presented.
- ATIRAKIN STAR DUNES
Res. SAMHAVEN SUPER NATURAL AT WILLOWCOMBE
POST GRADUATE BITCH (4.3)
- Patman’s RIVERSIDE SONG ICE CREAM GIRL (Imp Rom) Almost 4 year old tricolour of lovely shape. Very pretty expression. ears used well and in good position. eye is a lovely almond shape. Moved out well. sympathetically handled and well presented.
LIMIT BITCH (7.2a)
- Llewellyn’s ARTZAIAK STRAWBERRY ROSE FOR SALSINA (Imp Esp). Beautiful 2 1/2 year old golden S/W. From tip of her nose to the end of her tail she exudes quality. Her expression is lovely with almond shaped eye, beautifully set and used ears and parallel head planes, Neck is arched and her well presented coat fitted her body. She has just enough length of back to give the elegant outline and show the “dog of great beauty” we should strive for. movement was light and effortless. In the challenge she excelled even with a change of handler and could not be denied BB BOB & on referee’s decision RBIS.
- Patman’s SAMHAVEN SOUND EFFECTS 6 year old S/W of good construction. She forgot to get dressed that morning but has nothing to hide. She has good angulation and a well-balanced head. She moved out well holding her topline.
- Ware’s WASSAIL CALL THE MIDWIFE
OPEN BITCH (5.3a)
- Llewellyn’s Ch. ARTZAIAK SELINA DE SALSINA Lovely 4 year old S/W who excels in breed type. She was in fantastic coat and condition, beautifully presented. Lovely arched neck and well-fitting coat. Well angulated. Moved well. She is a lovely shape and stood and showed like the champion she is. But today was not her day as she just lacked the sparkle of her kennel mate.
- Legge’s KALZAN KISSED BY AN ANGEL 5 year old shaded S/W. Balanced outline with good angulation. She was in good well-presented coat. Moved out well as her construction suggests. Was reluctant to show.
Sue Beare (Jemspark)