EAST ANGLIAN BORDER COLLIE CLUB OPEN SHOW
3rd December 2006

My thanks to the committee for inviting me to judge bitches at this well run, friendly show. Thanks also to my efficient steward, Stella Combes.- I had a good entry with some very high quality bitches. Short tails that are typically badly set seem to be a recurring problem and I am still surprised by the diversity of type seen in the border collie show ring.I was careful to handle the young bitches very gently as they set out on their show career, something that, as an exhibitor, I believe even some experienced judges can forget.

VB (4, 3 abs): Buxton’s Am. Ch. DC Sairiebright Gwynne. A well constructed 8 year old tri-merle bitch. Strong deep chest and substantial build. Moved well. Not as feminine a bitch as some class winners.

Special VB (2): 1. Lloyd’s Brooksbid Love Me Do. Lovely feminine b/w 10 year old with an excellent body shape and size. Moved fluently as a border collie should with head down level with top line. BVB. 2. Allen’s Troumerle Silver Pearl of Lattonwood. A 10 year old blue/w in good condition. Strong eye. Not as steady on the move as the class winner.

MPB (10, 3 abs): 1. Fawcett & Harlow’s Bordertime Fashion Free To B. A gorgeous 7 month old b/w puppy of a lovely type. Solid body, good bone, beautiful head and ear carriage. A little high in the rear yet but overall a delight. The one I would take home! Very well handled. BPB. Glad to say my fellow judge agreed also BPIS 2. Tiller’s Foxbarton Lady Chandon. Another nice puppy of 7 months. Very well balanced front and rear with an excellent head and ear carriage. Not quite as well put together as the winner nor as fluent a mover. 3. Gillespie’s Bordertime Petticoat Lane at Detania

PB (9, 1 abs): 1. Tunnicliff’s Littlethorn Jazz. A beautifully built 9 month old bitch. Good front and rear angles and turn of stifle. Moved very gracefully. Good head and ear carriage. Pushed the minor puppy close for BP. 2. Venn and Fox’s Miranwiz Bossy Boots. A similar type to the winner with good balance and overall conformation. Not as good a head as the winner or quite as good a mover but a very nice puppy. 3. Tiller’s Foxbarton Lady Chandon.

JB (7, 3 abs): 1. Hastings’ Tonkory Integrity for Lorianna. An elegant b/w bitch of 14 months. Excellent head and tipped ears. Very much out of coat but displayed good construction and front to rear balance. Moved gracefully. I learned later that she gained her final JW points at the show. Well done! 2. Down & Forster Cooper’s Sheltysham Shapeable. Pushed the winner close. A nice type again with good head, body size and fluent movement.
3. Preiss’ Wizaland Lady of Lorien at Anadune.

YB (6, 3 abs): 1. T. Integrity for L. 2. Hales’ Laceway Bee Witching. A very nice merle bitch with good body shape and bone. Beautiful head and ear carriage. Movement not as good as the winner. 3. W. Lady of Lorien at A.

MB (5, 3 abs): 1. M. Bossy Boots. 2. Bordertrix None But The Brave. A blue/w 11 month old. Nicely put together, very feminine. Moved better here than in puppy class.

NB (6, 2 abs): 1. M. Bossy Boots. 2. F. Lady Chandon.
3. Lloyds Bekkis Masquerade at Brooksbid.

PGB (6, 1 abs): 1. Cattell & Johnson’s Dorvale Custom Maid. A 3 year old bitch, with a super head and lovely oval eyes. Very feminine with good body size and confirmation. Moved well with handler. 2. Amos’ Tamarsh Plum Perfection. Another very similar bitch with alert expression and excellent construction. Did not move as fluently as the winner. 3. Vincent’s Detania Merrydown at Bluesplace.

LB (10, 6 abs): 1. Taylor’s Glenshannon Livin The Dream. A beautiful 2 year old b/w bitch with excellent head and ear carriage. Very feminine with good square front and body size. Not as smooth a mover today but worthy RBB. 2. Paesler’s Resleap Jingle Belle. Another very nice b/w bitch in excellent condition. Very similar to the class winner. A close decision. 3. Ellershaw & Clarke’s Tamarsh Atomic Kitten JW.

OB (4, 2 abs): 1. Tunnicliff’s Sh. Ch. Littlethorn Kia. This 5 year old bitch is a wonderful example of the breed and did not disappoint on the day. Very graceful dark bitch with smooth economical movement and steady top line. Very good front and rear angulation, well balanced as you would expect and such a good mover. Just what a border collie bitch should look and move like. BB and, with my fellow judge’s agreement, BIS.
2. Gillespie’s Bluesplace Sapphire Among Detania JW. Another 5 year old very feminine bitch. Nicely put together with smooth movement. Not of the class and grace of the winner however.

Special OB (AOC) (7, 2 abs): 1. Tiller’s Foxbarton Lady in Waiting JW. A lovely tri bitch with keen alert expression. Excellent head and ear carriage. Well balanced with easy movement. 2. L. Bee Witching. 3. Buxton’s Meisterwerk Silver Cloud.

Geoff Paton (Judge)