A most enjoyable show with a very friendly committee. The Hospitality was superb. Considering that the Smooth Collie Ch Show was the day before I was very pleased to have an entry of 51 Smooth Collies, with only three absent across the board. A mixed entry with a vast diversity of type, we almost have a division between the Import and English lines. We must always remind ourselves that there really is only one standard and this should be adhered to at all times or else we will lose the important essence of our breed.

BOB & RES BEST IN SHOW
Whittingham's SOUTHCOMBE SOCIETY GIRL
This bitch literally came from nowhere so to speak, unknown to me she entered the ring and I was immediately taken by her overall balance and type. A steady show girl who was in unison with her handler, she was most attentive and alert without being over shown. Clean wedge head of correct length with a good foreface, flat skull and well shaped dark eyes, this with correct ear set gave a dreamy collie expression. She shows strength, yet with the elegance one likes to see in our breed. What impressed me was her construction and condition. An excellent front with good fore chest [something which is lacking in our breed]. Well muscled hind quarters with second thigh and strong well let down hocks, good length of neck set in correct lay back of shoulder, this with a deep chest & well sprung ribs gave the correct amount of angulation with nothing over exaggerated. In fact she was a picture of a true Smooth Collie, nothing flashy just an honest down to earth Collie. This was her first CC and I am sure will not be her last. Well done to her very excited owner [hope you found your way home].

RES BITCH CC
MacGregor's SOUTHCOMBE SOPHISTICATE AT ROWVALE
Won a good class here as I was spoilt for choice in this class, with some very nice ladies looking for a top spot, I am sure they will change places many times. Could not overlook this lovely bitch as her construction is second to none, and as always from this kennel showmanship and condition speaks volumes, she has a beautiful neck and shoulder, with good topline and well muscled hindquarters, excellent bend of stifle and strong well let down hocks with tight padded feet. Coat texture correct and she is so black against the white of her collar that she almost dazzles the eye. Her head handles well and she has a beautiful dark well placed eyes and this with correct ear placement gives a lovely expression, in the challenge it was hard to decided between these two tri colour's. In my opinion they will both gain their titles with ease. The nod going to my overall winner who I felt was a touch more feminine.

DOGG CC & BOS
MacGregors's Ch Moonwalker from Misstoff
What a star....... this dog is so collective and one can admire his stunning outline and showmanship. One of the best Smooth males for a lon time to grace our ring and one who has done the breed proud by being placed in the big groups at major championship shows drawing attention to our lovely breed who are quite often overlooked in the groups. Immaculate as usual and constructed to fit the standard, of good size and coat with harsh texture. This dog has a beautiful arch of neck set in good lay of shoulder and most important he has a good fore chest and excellent front. Correct depth of chest with well sprung ribs and good body length and correct tail set gives an overall balance that shows strength and nobility. I would prefer a slightly darker and better eye shape but this is of no consequence to the overall grandeur of this lovely dog. In the challenge was for some reason rather reluctant to move, whilst the bitch gave it her best.

RESERVE CC DOG
Evan's SOUTHCOMBE SUNSET SHADOW
Sired by the CC winner and he carries many of his sire's virtues. A very handsome sable dog who shows strength but is not coarse in any way as he has a refined head and lovely expression coming from correct eye and ear placement. Good stop and well filled foreface good under jaw and strong teeth with correct bite and good lip line. Most impressive front with excellent lay back of shoulder and good upper arm, strong back of good length and well muscled hind quarters.. Good bend of stifle and strong hocks enabled him to move correctly on tight well padded feet. A masculine well presented dog of good size he made a very pleasing picture.

BEST PUPPY
Evan's SOUTHCOMBE SHE'S THE ONE
[This kennel looked like it had a good day, well done] This very pretty sable and white bitch shows much promise for the future, as she has all the right essentials, lovely shape with correct hind angulation, good bone and lovely tight feet made for a very pleasant picture. Liked her head type and lovely dark eye's, giving a sweet expression. Neck and shoulder correct with a good spring of rib and correct body length with well set tail. She was constructed well and this showed in movement as she covered the ground with effortless ease, should have a bright future.

BEST VETERAN
French's FRENDET FANTASIA
I haven't seen this bitch for some time and was pleased with the way she has matured, in fact she looked a picture standing and on the move. Her head has natured well and she has a beautiful expression coming from well shaped dark eye's, clean head with a good stop and foreface and well set ears. A bitch that has been slow to mature but now coming to her best and she moves with drive giving good ground coverage. It wouldn't come as a surprise if she does do some serious winning now she can show what she can do.

VETERAN DOG - 5
1. What a nice class of oldies, topped by Leach's Ch Hilltarn Hyperion, blue merle who can strut his stuff and retains the essence that is the Smooth Collie. This comes from good body lines and sound hindquarters, having correct bend of stifle strong hocks and good feet. Head has not grown coarse and he still has a kind intelligent expression that is so important to the breed, carries his ears well and is attentive and in unison with his handler, coat has thickened over the years but at 10 years he is still well muscled and in excellent condition, a true credit to the breed. In the challenge for best veteran the bitch just pipped in to the post with her overall vitality.
2. French's Delmbush Crackerjack at Frendet JW. Another blue merle, liked his head and construction and he was in super coat of excellent texture. Good length to the head correct stop and filled muzzle. Strong back good hind quarters and good bend of stifle made a pleasing picture, could be more positive on the move.
3. Will's Mystery Man of Jarlana

JUNIOR DOG - 3
1. Hinde's Chicnoir Ice Breaker. A very well constructed tricolour spoilt by being too fat on the day, this really spoilt his movement in the front because his hind action was very strong with plenty of drive. He has a good shoulder and upper arm placement, well off for bone and he has good tight well padded feet.Liked his head and expression and he has very neat well carried ears. Coat of correct texture and close fitting.
2. Chicnoir's Sea Fox of Frendet

POST GRADUATE DOG - 5
1. Moore's Manordeifi Solar Eclipse. Good strong tricolour and definitely all male. Pleasing head and expression, good neck and strong shoulder with good upper arm. Good fore chest with well sprung rib, this with correct body length gave the picture of a true collie, one who could work if needed. He has strong hindquarters and well let down hocks which enabled him to give good ground coverage, in excellent coat and condition.
2. Benton's Tentola Smooth Operator of Oakaville. On entering the ring thought he would be my winner but on closer inspection preferred the outline and substance of my winner. Liked his head and lovely dark eyes, in good coat and condition and he has good length to the body, shown in super condition..
3. Hinde's Chicnoir Snow Wolfe

LIMIT DOG - 5
1. Hinde's Chicnoir Best Mate. One I have admired from the ringside many times, when handled he has a very clean wedge head and I loved his intelligent kind expression, I should imagine he is a very nice dog to own. Body of good construction with everything in the right place, liked his outline he makes a very elegant picture, he has good bone and lovely tight well padded feet, just needs a little more time as he is at the raw juvenile stage in his development and he needs to be a bit more positive on the move. Patience is needed here, as this dog has the best to come and when he matures will be sure to gain his title.
2. Moore's Manordeifi Sergeant Pepper. What a a lovely dog, so male and such good bone and substance throughout, excellent shoulder and deep chest, well sprung ribs and in beautiful condition, head of correct pattern with good stop and the most divine dark well shaped eye's, what a shame he has heavy ers as he is a dog of such beauty and this did spoil the overall appearance for me.
3. McKendrick's Alopex Conversation Peace at Wesanya

OPEN DOG - 5
1. MacGregor's Ch Moonwalker from Misstoff CC & BOS
2. Evan's Southcombe Sunset Shadow RCC
3. Hinde's Chicnoir Quartermaster

VETERAN BITCH - 3
1. French's Frendet Fantasia BEST VET.
2. Purvey's Freejack A Kind of Magic. Good neck and shoulder and in good condition. Nice head type but would prefer a sweeter expression, good confirmation and sound on he move.
3. White's Dancerwood Dollar Girl

PUPPY BITCH - 4
1. Evan's Southcombe She's The One BP
2. MacGregor's Foxearth Flaunt it for Rowvale. Superb colour blue merle, very pretty and so feminine, lovely head and expression, neat ears carried well, good body shape and well angulated, a little short on the leg for me, but nevertheless a very striking youngster.
3. White's Chicnoir Sea Spray

JUNIOR BITCH - 5[1]
1. Whittingahm's Southcombe Society Girl CC & BOB & RBIS
2. White's Chicnoir Sea Spray. Very pretty sable and white, clean head and lovely dark expressive eyes, good neck and shoulder and good top line, in lovely coat of good colour. Would like to see more positive movement.
3. Moore's Manordeifi Scheherazade

POST GRAD BITCH - 1
1. Clark's Derbypark Starstruck. Pretty tricolour not in her best bib and tucker but still pleasing to the eye, has a feminine outline and clean head and sweet expression, god spring of rib and nice sweep over the loins, still at the raw stage but should mature well.

LIMIT BITCH - 9
1. MacGregor's Southcombe Sophisticate at Rowvale RCC
2. Speding's Antoc Fascination. This bitch really surprised me at how much she has come on as she is maturing into a very feminine elegant lady, clean wedge head and dark eye. In superb condition and so well muscles, she has been slow to mature and now things are beginning to take shape, will soon trouble the best.
3. Hyde's Foxearth Future Magic

OPEN BITCH - 4 [1]
1. Hyde's Ch Foxearth Fondant. Very feminine sable bitch, I have often admired from he ringside, she has the most beautiful expression coming from a lovely dark well shaped eye , sound in body and movement and a worthy champion, she has strong front and good bone throughout, she looked rather matronly on the day and this spoilt the overall balance of her outline. Excellent coat both in colour and texture and as always she was in complete unison with her handler. Lovely bitch
2. Hinde's Ch Snuggletooth Flurry's Filly. Another lovely champion, she is so well made and everything in the right place, and a superb coat that is so harsh to the touch. Very pretty head and darkest of eyes with neat, well placed ears giving a very feminine expression, shown and handled well.
3. McKendricks Hilltarn High Tide at Wesanya