Our day at Crufts this year was Friday 10th March. Just entered Ruby and Gypsy under judge Derek Allsopp (Sandmel). It was snowing and icy as we arrived and the girls wore black binliners to try and keep them dry. Gypsy was placed 4th out of 15 in Yearling Bitch and ruby was placed 4th out of 16 in the Mid-Limit Bitch class.
A hot sunny day for Yorkshire Collie Club CH Show on 3rd September. Bitch judge was Daphne Iley (Ileyda) who placed Gypsy 3rd Graduate Bitch. Judge for dogs was Phil Sargeant (Coarhabeg) who awarded Miami 1st Graduate Dog, Vinnie 2nd Limit Dog and Odin Best Veteran Dog and the Reserve CC.
City of Birmingham CH show was held on 31st August. The gang are now dropping coat. Judge Derek Smith awarded Miami 1st Graduate Dog, Vinnie was unplaced in Limit Dog and Gypsy was placed 1st in Post Graduate Bitch.
London and Provincial Collie Club held their CH show on 26th August. Judge for dogs was Derek Allsopp (Sandmel) who awarded Miami 2nd Graduate Dog and Vinnie 4th Limit Dog. Judge for bitches was Steve Barrett (Brooklynson) who awarded Gypsy 3rd Limit Bitch.
25th February was the Newark open show under judge Sue Lee (Zeldonis). Gypsy won the Post Graduate class and Miami was placed 5th in a large open class.
19th February and off up to the Yorkshire Collie Club open show under judge Stefani Flower (Serenlas). Miami was placed 2nd in Graduate Dog and Vinnie 3rd in Limit Dog. Gypsy was 2nd in Graduate Bitch and Polly 1st in Limit Bitch.
Midland Collie Club CH show on 11th February and just had Vinnie entered. He was placed 5th in Limit Dog under judge Uwe Nolka (Roysta's).
4th February and off to the Isle of Ely open show under judge Simon Luxmoore (Hushwing/Zima). Gypsy winning her Post Graduate class and Grace taking second in the open class after some months out of the ring.
Leeds CH show was on 29th July with judge Mary Glover-Guest placing Odin 4th Veteran Dog, who had put his shoulder out, Gypsy 2nd Graduate Bitch and Vinnie winning Limit Dog, the biggest class of the day.
8th July and East of England CH Show under judge Tracey Wilkinson (Altricia). She placed Gypsy 1st Graduate Bitch and Vinnie 1st Limit Dog and Vinnie also being awarded the Reserve Dog CC, his second.
30th July and straight on down to the Midland Collie Club open show under judge Jan Milligan (Alfsden). Miami was 2nd Graduate Dog, Vinnie 3rd Limit Dog but the stars were Odin and Gypsy. Odin being placed Best Veteran Dog and Best Veteran in Show, Gypsy winning Graduate Bitch and taking Best Bitch and then Best in Show.
British Rough Collie of the Year was held on 28th January. Odin and Gypsy were entered. The three judges were Lene Newman (Phreelancer), Tony Iley (Ileyda) and Sandra Taylor (Bruernish). To our delight and amazement Odin was placed 3rd in the Adult dogs and Gypsy won Junior of the Year.
2023
EACA COTY was held at Littleport on 8th January and again it was Vinnie and Gypsy who took part. Vinnie was unplaced in the Adult competition but Gypsy was shortlisted in the Puppy competition and went on to win Puppy of the Year despite leaving her coat at home. Judges were Stella Clark (Astrellita) and Michaela Rukopf (Haus Rukopf).
Another long trek, this time to Wales on 17th August. Two championship shows on 1 day. First show was the Welsh Kennel Club with judge Eleanor Kitchen (Seriema). Vinnie was unplaced in Limit Dog but Gypsy was placed 2nd in Graduate Bitch.
The second show was the Collie Club of Wales. Judge for the dogs was Sue Randall (Ladnar) and she placed Miami 2nd Graduate Dog, Vinnie 3rd Limit Dog and Odin Best Veteran Dog. Judge for the bitches was Lene Newman (Phreelancer) who awarded Gypsy 1st Graduate Bitch and her 1st CC. Gypsy then went on to take Reserve Best of Breed and Best Opposite Sex under Referee Wendy Musty.
30th June and off down to the Windsor CH Show. Judge Tina May (Maqueeba) placed Vinnie 2nd in Limit Dog, Gypsy 1st Graduate Bitch and Grace 5th Open Bitch.
Ashfield open show was held on 11th June under judge Glenn Woolley (Aratika). Miami was placed 1st in Post Graduate and Gypsy was placed 5th in Open.
21st May and the Coventry open show under judge Pauline Luxmoore (Hushwing/Normbar). Gypsy was placed 1st in Post Graduate and RBOB and Miami won the Open class.
4th May and off down to the Birmingham National championship show with 4 of the gang under judge Mike Vincent. Miami was placed 2nd in Yearling dog, Vinnie 4th in Limit dog, Polly 2nd in Graduate bitch and Ruby 5th in Limit bitch.
1st May and off to the Banbury & District CA open show. Our judge was Jane Lindley (Lindgreave) who awarded Ruby 2nd in Open and Gypsy 1st in Post Graduate and Best of Breed. Then in the group Gypsy was awarded Group 3 by breed specialist Marianne Benton (Oakestelle).
29th April was WELKS championship show, although no CCs for our breed. Took 4 of the gang down under judge Howard Ogden (Beauview). Miami won the Yearling Dog class, Vinnie was 2nd in Open Dog, Grace was VHC in Open Bitch and Gypsy won the Yearling Bitch class and Reserve Best Bitch.
Bournemouth CH SHow was held on 13th August under judge Marianne Benton (Oakestelle). She placed Miami 1st Graduate Dog, Vinnie 2nd Limit Dog and Gypsy 1st Graduate Bitch.
A long run of shows starting with Paignton CH Show on 4th August. Judge Rodney Oldham (Towmena) placed Odin 2nd Veteran Dog, Vinnie 3rd Limit Dog and Gypsy 2nd Post Graduate Bitch.
A good start to 2023. Saturday 7th January was the Boston Championship Show judged by breed specialist Ann French (Breckamore). Vinnie was placed second in Open Dog and a very bald Gypsy won the Post Graduate Bitch class.
Midland Counties Ch Show was held on 28th October under breed specialist judge Maxine Mellish (Demelewis). Miami was placed 4th in his class and Vinnie 3rd in his. Gypsy was placed 4th in her class and Grace 2nd in Open Bitch giving her a Kennel Club Stud Book Number. Odin won the Veteran Dog class and was also declared Best Veteran in Breed.
The Collie Association held a double open show on 2nd July. The judge for show 1 was Stacy Steven (Cambrogan) and she placed Odin 1st Veteran Dog and Best Veteran in Breed, Miami 1st Graduate Dog, Vinnie 3rd Limit Dog and Gypsy 1st Graduate Bitch, Best Bitch and Reserve Best of Breed. Show 2 judge was Lorraine Quince (Karafaye) and she placed Odin 1st Veteran Dog, Best Dog and Best Veteran in Breed. Miami was placed 1st Graduate Dog, Vinnie 4th Limit Dog and Gypsy 1st Graduate Bitch, Reserve Best Bitch and Reserve Best of Breed. Odin was then awarded Best Veteran in Show by judge Jean Kenny.