My collie journey began in 1980 with wonderful Maggie Du St. Germaine. She was a wonderful way to start a performance career. Maggie Du was steady, structurally sound, loyal yet independent. She was a very steady Open B collie, earning consistent scores of 194.5. She earned a Utility title, Tracking title, and Canadian CDX. Maggie Du was retired at the Centennial Collie Club of America National Specialty in Chicago in 1986 with a class placement in Utility B and OTCH points.
With the guidance of Joyce Weinmann, "Primo," Vennessee Supr Slik Sneakers, came to me and was my first breed Champion. He was beautifully handled to his championship by Joe Molloy. Primo also was my first TDX collie. Other performance titles include American/Canadian CDX and Canadian TD.
My "first collie family" all earned Tracking titles. Three earned Tracking titles in Canada. They all earned CD's. Four earned CDX's and traveled to Canada to finish the same titles there. Sweet "Nike," seated on the captain's chair (pictured below, far left), was my highest scoring collie, earning scores of 199.5 out of the Novice B class.
"Reni," Highcroft Reniassance Blue, changed the landscape at St Germaine. He was my first American/Canadian Champion. He was an Award of Merit at the Columbus National in 1996 and placed in the Top Ten for five consecutive years -- all systems. Mixed in with his breed campaigning, he earned his TDX plus a CD. I am eternally grateful to my friends Leslie and Don Jeszewski of Highcroft Collies. Their loyalty, compassion, and integrity will always remain close to me.
Our "middle collie family" brought more diversity to our setting. Each collie in this group worked with sheep, two earned an HT and Lance (pictured on the far right below) earned his PT at the CCA National in 2003 in Minnesota. All collies pictured below passed their TD's. Three are American/Canadian Champions with CD titles.
My greatest Obedience collie will always be "Lance." I taught in the grade school for 44 years, and Lance was the only name I used on a collie to honor one of my students. To this day I still keep in touch with this student. Lance is an American/Canadian Champion and an American/Canadian CDX. He also is titled with a TD and PT. Lance earned multiple HIT's and placed in Obedience classes at multiple Nationals. At Rochester, Lance was under consideration for Most Versatile Collie and was later honored with a Versatility Excellent Award.
Highcroft St Germaine Exquisite, "Quinn," (pictured above) was most efficient in his work ethic. He was Best Male Puppy at the National in 2004 in Massachusetts. He is also an American/Canadian Champion, with CD, TD, and HT titles.
My current collie family is a beautiful blend of retirees and youth. They represent titles in Canada and the United States. "Brett," Highcroft Bourne Ultimatum, and "Scholar," Highcroft Brilliance in Blue are both American/Canadian Champions. Brett is my first Best In Show collie and has also earned CD, TDX, and HT titles. Currently, we are working on HSAs legs and VST tracking. Scholar's current campaign includes top ten breed and all-breed rankings.
I am truly grateful for such a remarkable journey. A special thank you to all my collies!
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