South Wales Kennel Association CH 2025 & Critiques
- Kelly Crawford
- Oct 11
- 11 min read
Updated: Nov 9
Rough Collie Judge; Mrs Samantha Wrisdale
Critiques below:
SOUTH WALES KENNEL ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIP SHOW
9th - 12th October 2025
ROUGH COLLIES.
I was asked to judge rough collies at this show with comparatively short notice, after the schedule had been printed, as the original judge had had to withdraw. Thank you to the officers and committee for their hospitality and to my two stewards who despite both being new to stewarding kept everything well in order and running smoothly.
Most importantly thank you to the exhibitors for your entries and for accepting all my decisions so graciously. On the whole I found the entry today, although not big numerically, to be of high quality which was most pleasing to see. Presentation generally was excellent and I really did appreciate the effort put in to this. The hall was extremely noisy at some points during my judging which unfortunately did affect some of the dogs.
VETERAN DOG (2,1)
1st. Boyle’s BARRENCLOUGH HEART OF GOLD JW ShCEx OSW VW. Shaded s/w of almost 8 years. He has a good length of head, nice dark eyes and well set ears. I liked his good reach of neck and his ample bone. He moved and showed well.
MINOR PUPPY DOG (1,0)
1st. Flower’s SERENLAS THE JOKERMAN. This youngster of 7 and a half months is already a good size. His head is masculine and a good length, just needs to clean a little in stop. I personally would prefer his ears to be slightly higher set which would enhance his expression. He is well put together and I particularly liked his length of back and lovely bone. Moved confidently and with drive.
PUPPY DOG (1,0)
1st. Lockyer’s GATAJ STRIKE IT LUCKY. Very appealing golden s/w of 10 and a half months. Lovely head with well filled muzzle and excellent under jaw, obliquely set dark eyes, good ear placement. Decent reach of neck and pleasing overall shape from good angulation, good bone. Moved well from all angles.
JUNIOR DOG (2,0)
1st. Randall’s LADNAR CALL MY NAME. This young b/m of 14 months is already impressive and he absolutely screams quality. His masculine head handles so well, lovely moulding to his fore face, excellent stop, clean through his back skull, his ears are set well and he used them to his advantage which combined with his sweet eyes give him that desired expression. His length of neck and back and his great angulation front and rear all come together to give him such a pleasing outline from across the ring. Well off for bone. Moved well with ease as his construction suggests. Pushed really hard in the challenge and it was my pleasure to award him the RCC today. I believe he already has quite a collection of these and I feel sure it’s only a matter of time before he will be awarded those big green cards! His title will come, I’m sure.
2nd. Lockyer’s GATAJ TIME WILL TELL. Attractive golden s/w of 11 months who has so much potential. He has lovely head planes, clean stop, sweet eyes, his ears are set very well and he used them constantly. I loved his soft expression. Although he doesn’t quite have the shape of 1 it is still really pleasing with good reach of neck and length of back and he is a good size with ample bone. His movement is strong and true. In good coat which was presented in lovely clean condition. He just edged it against his kennel mates in the challenges for BPD & BPIB. I will watch his progress with much interest.
POST GRADUATE DOG (3,0)
1st. Edwards & Bluck’s BELDONES MOJITO. I really liked this young golden s/w of 20 months. He appealed instantly. His head is so clean throughout and he has the sweetest dark eyes, his ears are well set and when he used them there were flashes of his gorgeous expression. He has good length of neck and body, angulation and muscle tone. He moved well with his tail carried low and was presented in sparkling clean coat. He just needs time to mature and fill out all over. Hopefully he will relax in to showing too.
2nd. Toogood’s HANVALE RALPH LAUREN. There is a lot to like about this 2 year old s/w. Bigger all over than 1. His head excels in stop and his muzzle is well moulded, his eyes are dark and placed well, I just preferred the slightly sweeter expression of the class winner. He too is a pleasing shape with good neck and length of back. A happy boy who moved well and with confidence. Presented in great coat which was groomed beautifully.
3rd. Mason’s TIGANLEA SO TRUE AT GLENSPEY
LIMIT DOG (5,0)
A lovely strong class of quality dogs. However, unfortunately some were affected by the noise in the hall which seemed to peak during this class and did affect some placings. It would be interesting to see those who were affected again in a calmer environment.
1st. Blaikie’s KOURIKA THE GIGOLO. This masculine 2 year old b/m has a lovely balanced head of good length. His stop is clean and not excessive, his eyes are kind, his ears are set very well and he used them constantly. He particularly appealed to me for his elegant shape, great reach of neck and length of back which was enhanced by the fact that he stood and showed very well on a loose lead. Whilst his rear movement from behind could be better he did otherwise move freely and with purpose around the ring, he also wasn’t phased at all by all the noise in the hall. Presented in good coat which was in lovely clean condition.
2nd. Waterhouse’s LYNMEAD ROYAL LOVER. Another very appealing masculine young dog of 2 years, this one a golden s/w. His head is a nice length with a lovely clean stop, dark obliquely set eyes and super ear carriage when he used them. He also has a good reach of neck and pleasing overall shape, in lovely coat which was presented in great condition. I just felt that because he didn’t look relaxed he didn’t show off his many attributes to his advantage today. He moved well though and was handled sympathetically.
3rd. Harris’s GEOSAMKA LOVES TO LOVE AT ITHILIEN
OPEN DOG (3,1)
1st. Hawkins & Foy’s CH. BELDONES TOUCHER DU BOIS. I judged this 5 year old golden s/w three years ago and liked him a lot then. But my, how he has matured in to a fabulously impressive example of the breed. Superb head which is a joy to handle and lovely dark obliquely set eyes. His ear set is good and he used them constantly. His expression could melt even the coldest heart. Standing in profile he has a balanced shape with good height to length ratio. He moved very well with good reach and really showed me his rear pads as he went away. In great coat, which has that finish now that he is in his prime, presented in immaculate condition. Looked good from all angles. It was a pleasure to award him the CC and BOB today.
2nd. Lockyer’s CH. GATAJ TURN BACK TIME JW. Another super s/w, 3 years old. A little shorter all over than 1. Good parallel head planes with lovely moulding to his fore face and a well filled back skull, very nicely set dark almond shaped eyes and great ear carriage give him a sweet yet masculine expression. His overall shape is pleasing with good angulation front and back. Well off for bone, great muscle tone and neat feet. Moved freely and soundly. In lovely coat presented in the best condition. Unlucky to meet 1 on such good form today.
GOOD CITIZEN DOG SCHEME DOG (1,0)
1st. B. HEART OF GOLD.
VETERAN BITCH (1,0)
1st. Lyall’s SANTALOLY’S SKY AMIDALAS. I found this 10 year old shaded s/w to be a real sweetheart. Head of good length, clean with no trace of courseness. Nice dark eyes, ears set and used really well. She has an elegant shape with good length of back. Moved with ease, as well as any of the youngsters. Presented in tip top sparkling condition. She belies her age and is a real credit to her owner. BVB and BVIB
MINOR PUPPY BITCH (4,2)
1st. Ransome’s SERENLAS DREAM MAKER. Sweet golden s/w of 7 and a half months, I wasn’t surprised to discover she is litter sister to JOKERMAN from MPD. Nice head with slight clean stop, dark eyes, good ears nicely set and used well. I liked her reach of neck and length of back. She moved and showed well and was presented and handled very nicely.
2nd. Toogood’s YVAINE ANGEL SILVESTRE AT HAGNEETAT (Imp Bel) NAF. Very pretty s/w of just 6 months. Just a raw baby but she has lots of potential. I liked her head which is already really nice to handle. Her eyes are dark, and she has a really sweet expression. Her shape is good, although perhaps slightly shorter in back than 1. She stood and showed well. It was such a shame she put the brakes on and just wouldn’t move today.
PUPPY BITCH (3,1)
1st. Lockyer’s GATAJ STRUCK BY LOVE. Very attractive golden s/w of 10 and a half months, litter sister to STRIKE IT LUCKY from PD. Many of the same points apply as they are very similar. Lovely head, well filled muzzle, great under jaw, obliquely set dark eyes, her ears are set really well and she used them non stop, all together giving her a really pretty alert expression. Good reach of neck and lovely overall shape, angulation and bone. Moved with drive and showed very well. BPB.
2nd. Y. ANGEL SILVESTRE AT H
JUNIOR BITCH (4,3)
1st. Gautrey’s CHANTIQUE PIXIE RING. Nice s/w of 14 months. Pretty head and sweet dark eyes, her ears are bit light but they are set well. I liked her reach of neck and pleasing body proportions. She moved well with plenty of drive from behind. Unfortunately she was losing her coat which I know from experience makes it difficult to present well, however, she was in lovely clean condition.
POST GRADUATE BITCH (6,1)
A strong class of quality young bitches.
1st. Walder’s HANVALE PATSY STONE JW. This adorable 2 year old golden s/w caught my eye as soon as she entered the ring. I loved her length all over. Her clean head has just the right amount of stop and moulding, her sweet almond shaped dark eyes are set just so and her super ear carriage completes the picture to give her a gorgeous yet cheeky expression. She has a great reach of neck down to good shoulders, her length of back and rear angulation all come together to give her such a lovely balanced shape in profile. She is feminine but has substance throughout. She moved well and with drive, at one with her handler. She has so much personality, a real character. She stole my heart and I just couldn’t resist awarding her the CC today. Although this kennel has made up quite a few champions over the years, I understand this is hers and her handler’s first big green card. I hope her title will come in time.
2nd. Lockyer’s GATAJ EXOTIC GIRL. Pretty golden s/w, almost 2 years old. Super head with excellent stop and moulding, so pleasing to handle. Her lovely sweet dark eyes and great ear set give her a gorgeously soft expression. Her shape in profile is pleasing, I just preferred the length of body of 1. Good bone and muscle tone. She moved well front and back.
3rd. Waterhouse’s LYNMEAD WAITING FOR LOVE
LIMIT BITCH (5,2)
I really liked all three of the bitches present in this class.
1st. Hodges UNUSUAL BEAUTY DES CONQUETES DE DON JUAN AT JOPIUM JW. Lovely b/m of 2 years who has so much to like. She has a really pleasing head with a delightful expression from her sweet eyes and good ear carriage. Her reach of neck is superb, her length of back is good. She has just the right amount of substance. Moved well. Very attentive to her handler. Not quite in full coat today but she looked well enough to win this class and was presented in lovely condition.
2nd. Hawkins & Foy’s BELDONES VELVET EYES. Very pretty 2 year old golden s/w whose head is so nice to handle, a good length with lovely stop and moulding, soft dark eyes and good ear set. Her shape is pleasing with ample neck, nice top line, great bend of stifle and plenty of bone. She moved and showed well. In good coat which was presented beautifully. I just slightly preferred the expression of 1.
3rd. Growcott’s LILLYWAY LEMON BREEZE
OPEN BITCH (7,4)
1st Llewellyn’s AVONFAIR SECRET LOVE LETTER TO SALSINA. This gorgeous 3 year old golden s/w bitch is absolutely my cup of tea. She has such a beautiful head with correct clean stop, really sweet dark eyes and great ear carriage all come together to create the most pretty and soft expression. She looked good in profile from across the ring, from her excellent reach of neck and angulation front and rear, her length of body with slight rise over her loin, she has good bone and nice neat feet. She moved well in all directions and put in a good performance today, superbly presented in full coat which was in the best condition. A pleasure to award her the RCC today, she absolutely deserves to gain her title which I am sure will come soon going by how well she is looking just now.
2nd. Lockyer’s CH. GATAJ GOOD TIME GIRL. Another beautiful golden s/w bitch from this kennel, this one 4 years old. Quite similar to 1 and many of the same points apply. She has a lovely head with correct stop, sweet dark eyes and super ear carriage, soft expression. Really good length of neck and back give her a pleasing overall shape. Good bone. Moved with drive. In lovely coat which was presented super clean and in fabulous condition, as were all the dogs from this kennel. She thoroughly deserves her Ch. title, but was just pipped today as I slightly preferred the expression of 1, however I was splitting hairs to choose between them.
3rd. Gautrey’s CARRISTINA SUMMER RHAPSODY
GOOD CITIZEN DOG SCHEME BITCH (5,3)
1st. S. SKY AMIDALAS
2nd. Boyle’s TIMELESS DESTINY STAR ACTIS OVER BARRENCLOUGH JW (Imp Pol). 2 year old s/w who has an appealing head and eyes, nice under jaw and well used ears. Good body proportions. Moved well.
Judge: Mrs. Samantha Wrisdale.
BOB: 3393 - Ch Beldones Toucher Du Bois (Mr B & Mrs O Hawkins & Foy)
BVIB: 3403 - Santaloly's Sky Amidalas (Mrs H Lyall)
BPIB: 3401 - Gataj Time Will Tell (Mrs M A Lockyer)
Dog CC: 3393 - Ch Beldones Toucher Du Bois (Mr B & Mrs O Hawkins & Foy)
Dog RCC: 3405 - Ladnar Call My Name (Mr D A & Mrs S P Randall)
BPD: 3401 - Gataj Time Will Tell (Mrs M A Lockyer)
BVD: 3376 - Barrenclough Heart of Gold JW ShCEx OSW VW (Dr L W Boyle)
Bitch CC: 3414 - Hanvale Patsy Stone JW (Mr S & Mrs H Walder)
Bitch RCC: 3396 - Avonfair Secret Love Letter to Salsina (C & J Llewellyn)
BPB: 3400 - Gataj Struck by Love (Mrs M A Lockyer)
BVB: 3403 - Santaloly's Sky Amidalas (Mrs H Lyall)
Class 1404 Veteran Dog: 2 entries, 1 absent
1st: 3376 BARRENCLOUGH HEART OF GOLD JW SCHEX OSW VW
Class 1405 Minor Puppy Dog: 1 entry, 0 absent
1st 3385 SERENLAS THE JOKERMAN
Class 1406 Puppy Dog: 1 entry, 0 absent
1st 3399 GATAJ STRIKE IT LUCKY
Class 1407 Junior Dog: 2 entries, 0 absent
1st 3405 LADNAR CALL MY NAME RDCC
2nd 3401 GATAJ TIME WILL TELL BPD
Class 1408 Post Graduate Dog: 3 entries, 0 absent
1st 3383 BELDONES MOJITO
2nd 3411 HANVALE RALP LAUREN JW
3rd 3404 TIGANLEA SO TRUE AT GLENSPEY
Class 1409 Limit Dog: 5 entries, 0 absent
1st 3375 KOURIKA THE GIGOLO
2nd 3416 LYNMEAD ROYAL LOVER
3rd 3391 GEOSAMKA LOVES TO LOVE AT ITHILIEN
RES 3379 TRIBURLE THE JOKER
VHC BRILYN BORN TO RUN FOR GLENBOWDENE
Class 1410 Open Dog: 3 entries, 1 absent
1st 3393 CH BELDONES TOUCHER DU BOIS DCC
2nd 3402 CH GATAJ TURN BACK TIME JW
Class 1411 Good Citizen Scheme Dog: 1 entry
1st: 3376 BARRENCLOUGH HEART OF GOLD JW SCHEX OSW VW
Class 1412 Veteran Bitch: 1 entry, 0 absent
1st 3403 - Santaloly's Sky Amidalas
Class 1413 Minor Puppy Bitch: 4 entries, 2 absent
1st 3406 - Serenlas Dream Maker
2nd 3412 - Yvaine Angel Silvestre at Hagneetat (Imp Bel) NAF
Class 1414 Puppy Bitch: 3 entries, 1 absent
1st 3400 - Gataj Struck by Love
2nd 3412 - Yvaine Angel Silvestre at Hagneetat (Imp Bel) NAF
Class 1415 Junior Bitch: 4 entries, 3 absent
1st 3387 - Chantique Pixie Ring
Class 1416 Post Graduate Bitch: 6 entries, 1 absent
1st 3414 - Hanvale Patsy Stone JW BCC
2nd 3397 - Gataj Exotic Girl
3rd 3417 - Lynmead Waiting for Love
RES 3389 - Chantique Sent from Heaven for Lillyway
VHC 3377 - Timeless Destiny Star Actis over Barrenclough JW (Imp Pol)
Class 1417 Limit Bitch: 5 entries, 2 absent
1st 3395 - Unusual Beauty Des Conquetes De Don Juan at Jopium JW
2nd 3394 - Beldones Velvet Eyes
3rd 3390 - Lillyway Lemon Breeze
Class 1418 Open Bitch: 7 entries, 4 absent
1st 3396 - Avonfair Secret Love Letter to Salsina RBCC
2nd 3398 - Ch Gataj Good Time Girl
3rd 3386 - Carristina Summer Rhapsody
Class 1419 Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bitch: 5 entries, 3 absent
1st 3403 - Santaloly's Sky Amidalas BVIB
2nd 3377 - Timeless Destiny Star Actis over Barrenclough JW (Imp Pol)