Welcome to 2019 Ring Patterns, where we review the month-by-month achievements of the breed at specialties and all-breeds throughout the country. In January, there were 21 independent specialties and three designated specialties held in six states: California, Maryland, Oklahoma Texas, Ohio and Virginia. Rough entries comprised "roughly" 90 percent of the entry at the Virginia shows, 66 percent of the entry at the two Texas Specialty circuits, 64 percent at the Ohio specialties and between 77 and 81 percent at the two California specialty circuits.
The show that garnered the highest number of collies entered at a specialty and also the largest turnout was for Judge Michelle Struble at the Columbus Collie Club's afternoon specialty on Saturday, January 27 in London, Ohio. There were 87 collies entered with 75 exhibited – 48 roughs and 27 smooths. The largest turnout for the Rough Variety was a tie with 48 roughs shown to Judge Struble and Judge Alma Metz at the Saturday morning Columbus CC specialty. This was also the same day as the Kem Memorial Sweepstakes. Struble is provisional and Metz began her judging tenure in June of 2016.
At the Independent Specialties: The month saw 13 collies – four dogs and nine bitches – 10 roughs and three smooths, awarded Best in Specialty. In addition, six collies received multiple Best in Specialty awards with one smooth bitch and one veteran rough dog standing apart with three Best of Breed awards each. Four roughs took home two Best of Breed awards.
These two Collies took three Best of Breeds: CH Capella's Mirabeau Blue Dakota Wynde (S/B) and GCH Lochlaren Kings Valley Fire Within (R/Vet/D)
These four collies took two Best of Breeds: CH Pleasant Acre Sugar Daddy (R/D), CH Chelsea Here Comes the Sun, BN TDX OAP OJP CGC HIC (R/D), GCH Edenrock I Feel Like A Woman (Vet/R/B), CH Larkspur Sun Moon And Stars (R/B)
These seven collies took one Best of Breed: GCH Overland Walk This Way At Pinemeade (R/D), Mirabeau Bellsa Ringing (R/Class/B), CH Swan's Grand Jete' Of Tercan (S/B), GCHG Jereco's Simply Irresistible (S/B), GCH Windcrest Always Dreaming (R/B), GCH Taliesin Fresh Powder O'Paray (R/Vet/B) and CH Marnus Sentimental Journey (R/B).
At the All-breeds: Reserve Best in Show was awarded to rough bitch, CH Larkspur Sun, Moon And Stars by Jim Frederiksen at Golden Triangle Kennel Club of Mississippi. There were 354 competitors at this show. Collies accrued 11 Group placements, all to the rough variety which topped the Herding Group three times. Those Group 1 awards went to CH Larkspur Sun, Moon And Stars Skyview Lilly's Country Roads and GCHB Valley Park Serendipity At Baldwin Ridge.
Other placements included three Group 2s, four Group 3s and one Group 4. All of the placements went to the rough variety – three dogs and two bitches.
Roughs placing in the Group: GCHS Aurealis Endeavour (D), GCHS Scalloway's Lion Hunter (D), GCHB Highcroft St. Germaine Wildfire (D), Tapestry Miss Moneypenny (B), Wilde Manor's Picture Perfect (B)
The largest number of herding dogs shown at a show in which a collie placed was 251 at Gig Harbor Kennel Club in Puyallup, Washington. The award was a Group 3 and it went to the rough dog, GCHS Aurealis Endeavour. The judge was Janet Nahikian, who was approved to "pass on the breed" in September 1990.
National Owner-handled Series: NOHS Herding Group judges placed collies 16 times during the month along with one Best Owner-handled in Show for rough collie, GCH Heatherfield Legacy Of Love. The roughs took 11 of those placements compared to five for the smooths. There were four Group 1 awards – two for the smooths and two for the roughs.
NOHS award winners for January: CH Windkist 's Ain'T No Rest For The Wicked, RAE2, GCH Special Eye On The Mark, CH Miholiday's Sunnland Nashville Star, CGC, CH Southland's Walkin' In High Cotton, GCHS Tir Nan' Og Brighton The Night Of Willow Fox Farm, FDC, Sylvan Argent Creston Serenade, CH Encore Coho's Aesops Perfect Pick, RN CGC, GCHS Wilde Manor's Twist Of Silver, Overland BC Master Craftsman, CH Sandmoor I'm The Guy
Congratulations to all!