East Anglian Collie Association

East Anglian Collie Association Open Show

Sunday 12th April 2026

Critique

 Thank you to the East Anglian Collie Association for inviting me to judge their open show. They are a club who have always been supportive of me as a non-specialist judge, and I was delighted to have this appointment. The chip shop lunch delivery was an excellent idea!

Despite the windy conditions it is always preferable to judge collies outside as makes assessing movement so much easier. I had a small but quality entry of Smooths with five of the eight dogs present being Champions. Rough Collies were much more mixed for type and quality however I was delighted with my main winners who I felt were all typical collies of good quality, being beautiful yet fit for function. I was being observed by breed doyenne Stella Clark and appreciated her feedback on my judging and the entry. I also want to thank my steward Lisa Pettit who did an excellent job. Finally, thanks to all the exhibitors who entered and accepted my placings sportingly. I had a super day.

Smooth Collie:

Yearling (3 entries)

1st. Benton’s Ch Blamorder Double or Quits of Oakestelle JW. Quality Blue Merle bitch with a feminine head, parallel head planes, obliquely set almond eye and slight stop. I would perhaps like a touch more underjaw and bone all over, as of a finer type. The best ears of the three in this class being set correctly with top third tipping. Good neck with well laid shoulders and a balanced return of upper arm. Very good feet with well arched toes. Good depth of chest with well sprung ribs and nice gentle rise over her loin. Lovely coat texture and condition. Balanced hindquarters which she used well on the move with excellent drive and lovely smooth action in profile. There is a lot to like about this young bitch and I’m sure she has plenty more to come. I preferred the head and overall type on the Open Dog winner in the challenge however was very happy to award her Reserve Best of Breed, Best Opposite Sex and Best Opposite Sex in Show.

2nd. Wensley’s Blamorder Starstruck by Versatilis. Sable bitch with a super head and expression, good underjaw and nice strong front and feet. Well laid shoulders, with good depth of chest and well sprung ribs. Lovely coat texture and colour and balanced hindquarters. Not quite the drive in movement of the winner but sound and another with plenty to like.

3rd. French and Swann’s Breckamore Bobby Dazzler of Swanndale

Limit (1 entry)

1st. Bemelmans’ Oakestelle Asteria. 9-year-old tri colour bitch who has a feminine head however is slightly rounder in eye. Good ears and a nice strong neck with good lay of shoulder. A touch short in upper arm which affected overall movement. Well sprung rib with balanced moderate hindquarters. Moved OK, a bit unsettled today.

Open Dog (2 entries)

1st. Norman and Haywards Ch Wynele Double Trouble at Foxearth. Two-year-old sable male who had the most exquisite head and expression. Super parallel head planes with slight stop and sweet almond eye with excellent ears. Wonderful arched neck going into a very good front with well laid shoulders and balanced return of upper arm. Good feet and pasterns and well sprung ribs of good depth with a strong loin. Hindquarters could perhaps be a touch stronger but still a young dog with some maturing to do. Lovely free smooth movement in profile. A dog of superb breed type I felt who in today’s entry I was happy to award Best of Breed. In the challenge for Best in Show, I felt the Rough had the edge on maturity today, however delighted to award Reserve Best in Show, there is plenty more to come from this excellent example of the breed.

2nd. Wensley’s Ch Int Ch Ir Ch Swiss Ch Constella Hazy Cosmic Jive JW. Tri colour male with good head, parallel planes and well-set ears. A touch rounder in eye and not the expression of 1st. Good length of neck going into well laid shoulders, feet could be a touch tighter. Well strong rib of good length and balanced hindquarters. Moved well and overall, in good condition with lovely coat texture.

Open Bitch (2 entries)

1st. Benton’s Ch Oakestelle Artemis ShCEx VW. Quality blue merle bitch who I preferred for head and expression of the two in this class. Good parallel head planes and well-set ears. Well arched neck going into well laid shoulders with balanced return of upper arm and very good feet and enough bone. Well sprung ribs of good length with nice gentle rise over her loin and balanced hindquarters giving good drive on the move. In super condition and a bitch who could certainly work all day. Best veteran and Best Veteran in Show.

2nd. Benton’s Ch Brackenhaye Queen of Hearts of Oakestelle. Tri coulour bitch with good head and ears. A touch shorter in neck but overall, a good front with nice return of upper arm and good feet. Hindquarters not as strong as the winner and a bit unsettled today on the move. Did look lovely in profile when she wanted to, however.

Rough Collie:

Baby Puppy Dog or Bitch (2 entries)

1st. Collino’s Imaginist Fallen Angel. Promising sable youngster with a nice head, almond eye and good wedge shape. Ears still need to settle. Good length of neck and good front with well laid shoulders and good return of upper arm. Nice tight feet and overall good body proportions with balanced well angulated hindquarters. Most together on the move of the two. Best Baby Puppy.

2nd. Gentry’s Takhisis Lady Fayette. Sable bitch with a super head and lovely, sweet expression. Good lay of shoulder with nice return of upper arm and nice feet. A touch shorter coupled at the moment in body proportions however has a well angulated balanced hindquarter and overall exhibited good breed type. Not as together on the move today as the winner but enjoying herself, nonetheless.

Veteran Dog (3 entries, 1 absent)

1st. Alexander’s Ingledene Aramis AW(S). Mahogany sable male with an OK head, would prefer a bit less stop, however, has a good almond eye and well-set ears when he used them. Good length of neck but slightly upright in shoulder and good depth and spring of rib. Best feet of the two in this class and lovely well angulated hindquarters giving the better drive of the two in this class. Lovely coat and overall condition. Most free in movement, Best Veteran Dog.

2nd. Bartram’s Ambartr King of the Ring. Sable dog who I felt had a better head than 1, with more parallel planes and slight stop, sweet expression and good ears. Well laid shoulders and good return of upper arm. Feet are a touch long and pasterns could be stronger. Good depth of chest with a well sprung rib. Hindquarters could be stronger and not as sound on the move as the winner. However, at 9 years old, in good condition for his age.

Minor Puppy Dog (1 entry)

1st. Cooper’s Ambartr Hearts of Steel from Kelekona. Sable puppy with a lovely wedge shape head, parallel planes with slight stop and almond eye giving a good, sweet expression. Good ears when he chooses to use them. Fair length of neck with well laid shoulders and good return of upper arm and nice feet. Good depth of chest for age with well angulated hindquarters giving plenty of drive when he moved. Lovely profile movement when he settled into it. Best Puppy Dog.

Junior Dog (1 entry)

1st. Williams’ Mejola Endeavour. Quality young male with beautiful clean wedge-shaped head, parallel planes and good underjaw and ears. Nicely arched neck going into a good lay of shoulder and balanced return of upper arm with good bone and feet. Nice depth of chest for his age with well sprung rib and balanced loin with a gentle rise. Balanced well angulated hindquarters with plenty of drive on the move and nice typical movement in profile. Currently going through coat change with adult coat coming though however one who is showing plenty of promise.

Yearling Dog (3 entries)

Difficult class to judge as all differing in type.

1st. French’s Breckamore Paddington. Sable dog with lovely wedge head, good parallel planes and sweet expression and good ears. Strong well arched neck going into well laid shoulders and balanced return of upper arm. Very good feet and bone and overall body proportions with well sprung rib and gentle rise over the loin. Hindquarters could be stronger but overall, most balanced in this class scoring well in type and profile movement.

2nd. Randall’s Ladnar Call My Name JW. Blue Merle dog who didn’t score as well as 1st in head, with more divergent planes and wider ears. Nice almond eye and expression. Good arched neck with well laid shoulders and very good feet. Well sprung ribs with super coat texture and good under coat. Well angulated hindquarters and moved with good drive at the rear, however lacking reach in front.

3rd. Congdon’s Aaronwell Asks the Question

Post Graduate Dog (5 entries, 2 absent)

1st. Collino’s Imaginist A Griffin’s Mark. Tri colour male who I felt had the best head and expression in this class with good clean wedge shape, oblique almond eye and well-set ears and strong underjaw. Well arched neck going into well laid shoulders with good return of upper arm and nice feet. Good depth of chest with well angulated hindquarters although would like a touch more second thigh. Slightly softer coat of the three but overall, the best mover with lovely free action, especially in profile.

2nd. Gatt and Harvey’s Classic Scots Patrick Swayze (Imp Deu). Blue Merle Male with good enough head and sweet expression, however ear set a touch wide and a touch more stop than I’d prefer. Well arched neck going into good shoulders however feet are a touch long. Well sprung ribs with chest of good depth and super coat texture and colour. Well angulated hindquarters with good second thigh and lovely drive, just not as settled in front. Close decision between 1st and 2nd.

3rd. Gatt’s Imaginist Superior Sun with Bearven

Limit Dog (6 entries, 2 absent)

1st. Cooper’s Kelekona Hearts of Gold JW. Sable male with beautiful breed type, super clean wedge-shaped head, good parallel head planes and lovely, sweet expression with obliquely set almond eye. Super ears and overall, one of the best heads in today’s entry. Nice strong well arched neck with well laid shoulders and balanced return of upper arm, good feet and bone. Well sprung rib with good depth of chest and gentle rise over the loin. Strong balanced hindquarters with good second thigh. Lovely coat texture and colour, without excess and fitting the body well and presented in well-muscled condition. Super mover being free and light in profile yet sound and with good drive coming and going. A typey male who could work all day. Reserve Best Dog.

2nd. Ross’s Siluto Blue Wizard at Amberwish. Blue Merle who didn’t quite have the head qualities of the winner with a touch more stop and slightly wider ears. Lovely oblique almond eye however giving a good expression. Strong neck going into a very good front with well sprung ribs and good feet and overall good body proportions. Excellent coat texture and in lovely condition. Moved with plenty of drive and lots to like about this dog.

3rd. Farthing’s Didek Once in a Blue Moon

Open Dog (2 entries, 1 absent)

1st. Williams’ Ch Mejola Top Gun JW. Quality male with a stunning head piece, lovely balanced clean wedge with parallel head planes, slight stop and good strong underjaw. Super obliquely set almond eye giving the sweetest expression and overall look of impassive dignity. Strong well arched neck going into excellent shoulders with balanced return of upper arm, super bone and very good feet. Well sprung rib of good depth with balanced loin giving gentle rise and balanced well angulated hindquarters with good second thigh and nice strong hocks. Super coat texture with good undercoat and presented in super condition with lovely sable colour and correct collie markings. Super sound mover being free and easy yet with drive and purpose. A beautiful dog who is fit for function. Delighted to award him Best Dog, Best of Breed and Best in Show. A pleasure to judge.

Veteran Bitch (6 entries, 2 absent)

1st. Collino’s Imaginist Willow Wren. Delightful Tri colour bitch who had a super feminine head with balanced parallel head planes, super sweet expression and correct ears. Good length of neck going into well laid shoulders and good return of upper arm. Feet and pasterns could be better but likely reflective of age. Well sprung ribs with strong loin and well angulated hindquarters with good second thigh and strong hocks. Moved with lovely drive and looked super in profile. Lovely coat colour and texture and overall, a beautiful feminine bitch. Best Veteran Bitch, Best Veteran in Breed and Reserve Best Veteran in show. I just felt the smooth had more freedom in action, however a quality collie.

2nd. Philpin’s Sassari Snow Shimmer for Tudorlyn. Another good veteran, this time blue merle with lovely head although a touch more stop than the winner. Lovely eye shape and sweet expression. A touch shorter in neck although generally well made in front with good lay of shoulder. Well sprung ribs with super coat texture. Hindquarters not as strong as the winner but moved well, especially in profile.

3rd. Wensley’s Imaginist Spellbinding With Versatilis

Minor Puppy Bitch (2 entries)

1st. Cooper’s Kelekona Pearls of Hope. Pretty sable with lovely head, nice parallel planes and super expression. Still needs to grow into her ears! Well arched neck going into very good shoulders and balanced return of upper arm. Good feet and bone. Nice depth of chest for age with gentle rise over the loin and balanced strong hindquarters. Lovely drive on the move with sound free action in profile. Promising puppy and most together for soundness and type in today’s entry. Best Puppy bitch, Best Puppy in Breed and Best Puppy in Show (No Smooth puppies were entered to challenge today)

2nd. Bartram’s Ambartr’s Scarlet Skys. Very raw 7-month-old sable bitch who scored well in head and expression with good almond eye and nice clean wedge-shaped head. Good neck although a touch upright in shoulder. Still needs to drop in chest however has good hind angulation and moved with good drive. A touch overawed today and still plenty of growing to do.

Puppy Bitch (2 entries, 1 absent)

1st. Bartram’s Ambartr’s Scarlet Skys. 2nd in Minor Puppy.

Junior Bitch (4 entries)

1st. Williams’ Mejola Some Girls Do. Pretty sable girl with lovely clean wedge-shaped head, super parallel planes and nice almond eye and sweet expression. Could perhaps do with a touch more underjaw. Good length of neck and best front in this class with well laid shoulders and good return of upper arm. Super feet. Well sprung ribs with gentle rise over the loin and well angulated hindquarters with good second thigh and nice strong hocks. Lovely coat texture and colour and very sound mover with good drive. Quality bitch.

2nd. Collino’s Imaginist Frozen in Time. Blue merle with nice clean head, good almond eye and well-set ears of correct size. Well laid shoulders with good return of upper arm and nice bone and feet. Well spring ribs with good coat texture and colour. Good profile movement although not quite as strong in the rear as the winner.

3rd. Congdon’s Aaronwell all About Elsa

Yearling Bitch (4 entries, 2 absent)

1st. William’s Mejola Edge of Glory. Beautiful sable bitch with super almond eye, lovely clean wedge, parallel planes with slight stop and good underjaw. Well set ears of correct size and overall giving a beautiful, sweet expression. Super neck going into an excellent front with correct lay of shoulder, balanced return of upper arm and good feet and pasterns. Lovely spring of rib with gentle rise over the loin and strong well angulated hindquarters, with good second thigh and strong hocks. Excellent mover with sound typical movement, excellent drive and lovely free movement in profile. Although out of coat today, she has correct colour and texture and super overall conformation. A quality young bitch who I felt excelled in breed type and movement and was happy to award Best Bitch and reserve best of breed in today’s entry. I shall watch her show career with interest.

2nd. Bartram’s Ambartr’s The Legacy of Wicani. Dark sable who still needs to mature in body however scored well in head with good parallel head planes and nice eye shape and expression. Good length of neck however quite narrow in front needing more depth and spring of rib. Well angulated hindquarters and moved with good drive, just needs time to mature.

Post Graduate Bitch (4 entries, 1 Absent)

1st. Stillwell’s Wicani That’s Amore with Bellawave. Slightly taller bitch than I’d prefer however felt she scored better in head qualities than 2nd. Nice wedge shape with lovely almond eye and good head planes. Nice length of neck with good shoulders and return of upper arm with good feet. Would like a touch more spring of rib however has balanced hindquarters and lovely profile movement being sound with good drive. A touch out of coat today.

2nd. Pearson’s Brilyn Make Me smile at Garbh. Tri colour bitch who has a bit too much stop in her head and planes could be more parallel. Nice almond eye and expression and good ears. Preferred her for size to the winner overall with good front and feet and well sprung ribs and strong hindquarters. Moved well.

3rd. Bartram’s Ambartr’s Dignity and Pride JW

Open Bitch (5 entries, 2 absent)

Three quality bitches of different types.

1st. Congdon’s Ch Riverside Song Desiderata at Aaronwell (Imp Rom). Quality sable bitch who has a good wedge-shaped head with almond eye and ears of correct size and set, although head planes very slightly off. Beautifully arched neck going into an excellent front with well laid shoulder and good return of upper arm. Good feet with well sprung ribs with gentle rise over the loin and strong hindquarters with good second thigh and strong hocks. Excellent coat texture and colour, fitting the outline of the body. Super sound mover with lovely free and light movement in profile and typical coming at you with excellent drive at the rear. Overall, a beautiful bitch who could work all day and one if really liked. I felt the winner of yearling scored better in head qualities; however, I am not surprised to see she has her title. Reserve Best Bitch.

2nd. Williams’ Ch Mejola Main Event JW. Preferred the head of this sable bitch to the winner having a super clean wedge with parallel planes, almond eye and sweet expression, with excellent ears correctly set. Strong neck going into a very good front with excellent feet. Carrying a bit too much weight today giving her a more barrel ribbed appearance and currently has loads of undercoat. Lovely strong hindquarters which she used when she wanted on the move. Sound in movement however not putting the effort in today. A quality bitch I would like to see her again when she’s back in condition.

3rd. Congdon’s Aaronwell Able Mabel. Another quality bitch although not as good in head as 1st and 2nd having a bit too much stop. Nice almond eye and very good ears. Well made front with good feet and nice spring of rib with gentle rise over her loin and good strong hindquarters. Very good coat texture and overall good type. Not quite as together on the move today as 1st and 2nd.

David Knights (Lelaps)