Judge's Biographies

Page 2 of 3  <  1 2 3 >

JACKSON Toni (Elbereth)

I have been showing dogs for nearly 50 years, staring as a junior, and had my first judging appointment in 1986 for Pyrenean Mtn Dogs, I now award CCs in 10 breeds: Border Collie, PMD, Finnish Lapphunds, Samoyed, ASD, Vallhund, Shetland Sheepdogs, German Spitz, Klein and Mittel and Leonbergers and was honoured to judge my first pastoral group at WELKS earlier this year.
I am very interested in pastoral breeds (from both a show and working point of view having trained both border collies and lapphunds to work sheep and have run dogs in both obedience and agility competitions.
I first judged Bearded collies back in 1999, judging the breed once or twice a year since then to gradually build up my numbers and learning from breed enthusiasts on the way. I also enjoy watching the breed in the show ring both here and abroad. I have handled the breed in the ring at open and championship show level, and attended the Southern Counties Bearded Collie Club’s History and Breed Standard on 3/5/2009 passing the exam, and then a year later passed the Eastern Bearded Collie Association’s A3 Assessment 16/5/10.

KNOWLES Wendy (Tonwynde)

Along with my husband I purchased my first Bearded Collie in 1989, he was Sam Ch. Flosswood Rum Punch, he had a wonderful show career. Sam’s son Benson Haylane High Society at Tonwynde joined our family in 1991, he also did well in the showring. Smokey- Spinningdale Silver Sunset at Tonwynde joined us in 1992, Smokey won 1 CC, and they all gained their Studbook Numbers.

I began judging my breed in 1992, after attending many, many Seminars and undertaking and passing the required examinations. I gained the required numbers, which included judging at a Club Open Show for the Scottish Bearded Collie Club. I was invited to undertake my first judging appointment of Bearded Collies at Championship Show level at Darlington in 2010. In 2013 I judged Beardies at Driffield Championship Show.

Recently I judged Bearded Collies at an International Championship Show in Zwolle, Holland, judging under FCI Rules, where my BOB won his Group and went on to win RBIS, I was also asked to judge Best Baby in Show and had a good choice of 33 exhibits

LEWTHWAITE Gary (Garthwaite)

I have been involved in dogs since a boy. Both my uncles had dogs - Pem Corgis and Yorkshire Terriers. I have done every aspect of dog showing, training, handling, trimming and grooming. I ran a show dog training class for over 40 years and have worked as a kennel manager for a leading kennels. I have owned, bred or handled many dogs to top honours in too many breeds to mention. I have judged for 37 years, all groups and best in show at open shows.

I first judged Bearded Collies AT WORKING BREEDS OF SCOTLAND in 1987 and have also handled for some top Beardie kennels, ie Pat Jones (Wellknowe) and Shirley Holmes (Edenborough).

I owned Beardies for a long time but I moved on to other breeds with some success. I award CCs in 8 breeds over 3 groups and am approved to judge the Working Group at Championship Level. I have always kept an interest in Beardies and have seen many quality Beardies over the years.

MILLAR Bobby (Beardiewood)

Having been involved in the breed for over 25 years, and have judged both in Scotland and Northern Ireland, starting judging in 1995, I have had some time on the clubs committee, and have both shown and done Obedience with our dogs in the past.

MOIR, Don (Winaria)

I have owned beardies since April 1981 and originally never intended to show. However, our first beardie, Dramesk Winter Dusk (Misty), dragged us into it after a visit back to her breeder when she was about 4 months old. Misty was the foundation of Winaria and indeed our affix is made up of part of her name and part of the name of her daughter from her first litter. In her second litter she produced us the bitch who would go on to become Ch Winaria Wellwisher.

Winaria never bred a high number of litters but from those that we did, two further bitches managed to gain their titles (W. Welltravelled & W. Whisperer) making three bitch champions in three successive generations, an accomplishment of which we are very proud.

I first judged in 1984 and was approved to award CCs in 1998 and have enjoyed each occasion immensely. With the early death from pancreatic cancer of Whisperer in 2007, our showing days were pretty much at an end although I maintain a keen interest in what is happening within the breed and judging when invited. I have also given the talk three times on the Breed Standard at the Bearded Collie Club of Scotland judges’ education and assessment days. I have also judged in Holland, Sweden, Germany, Czech Republic and Norway. There was also, of course, the small matter of judging bitches at Crufts in 2016 which was a day like no other.

MOTTRAM Diana (Mybeards)

Sheba, my first Beardie was born in 1981 and I began showing a few years later. I awarded CC’s for the first time in 1996. I have since judged them several times at Ch Shows in the UK, also the Winners Show at Amsterdam, Norwegian Club Show, Czech Club Show, the “Budessieger” in Germany, Warsaw International Show, bitches at NEBCC Ch Show in 2008 and BIS for the Eastern Bearded Collie Association in 2013.

I enjoyed serving as a committee member of the NEBC for several years. Because of my involvement with Polish Lowland Sheepdogs, I no longer own or show Beardies, however, I feel very privileged to judge the breed when asked as they are generally supper sound healthy exhibits with that added beardie personality and the sportsmanship of the exhibitors always makes for a very pleasant day.

MUIR Shona (Braeandale)

We got our first Beardie Mitsi from Jack and Madge Caldwells, Mondreddan Kennels in 1975 solely as a pet. A friend of my mums started showing a Rough Collie in 1977 which I ended up handling for her and there I saw beardies in the ring and that was me totally in love with Beardies and so Sallen Barley came to me for my 15th birthday. I started showing Beardies in 1978 and then acquired another from the Sallen Kennels in 1979, a bitch, Sallen Tammy, and bred my first litter in 1982. That was a good year for me as I also won my first CC and Res CC with Barley.

Starting out as a relative ‘youngster’ I have been in and out of the ring over the years raising my children so have not done as much with the beardies as I would have liked but had and showed an Arranbrae bitch and a Ciopar back in the late 90’s. With the family all grown up, I have been actively showing, judging and stewarding again for the past 7 years breeding a litter and showing Sallen Harrar and Sallen Hector who are both in partnership with Nicolas Broadbridge and I hope to continue for many more.

NAGRRECHA_Tan (Chandlimore)

I have been breeding and showing dogs since 1990, have made up champions in St Bernards, PMD, Rough Collies, Norfolk Terriers, Norwich Terriers and also been successful in Tib Mastiffs. I’m passed to give CC’s in 3 working breeds, 3 pastoral breeds and 2 terrier breeds.

My specialist breed is St Bernards.

NICHOLLS-WARD Sue( Bumbleridge)

I have owned Bearded Collies since 1975, founding the Bumbleridge kennel in 1977. I have had other breeds (Bichon Frise & Petit Bassett Griffon Vendeens) which has helped to broaden my knowledge both as a judge and exhibitor. A Spanish Water Dog joined the Beardies in 2004 as a playmate and then in 2015 a second joined the Bumbleridge bunch.

I started my judging career in the early 1980’s and first gave CC’s for Bearded Collies in 1991, making 25 years, awarding CC’s eleven times including Crufts in 2008. One of the nicest compliments I have received was after judging Crufts, several people thanked me for judging their dogs. Since the mid 1990’s I have also had the honour of judging Beardies twice in Sweden, three times in France, once in America, Austria, Germany, Norway, Spain and Holland. I have been actively involved in championshiop show judges training for both the Beardies and Spanish Water dogs. In 2016 I again had the honour of judging at Crufts, this time for the Spanish Water Dogs.

I believe that a good Beardie should closely match the standard and have a brain. Mattie, my tenth generation Bumbleridge achieved his Senior Work Test at the age of five making him the 7th Bearded Collie Breed Champion to do this.

PALMER Jane (Woodacre)

For as long as I can remember, dogs have been an integral part of our family life. When my mum, Sue Carter, bought her first Bearded Collie in 1980 I knew this was the breed for me and I can’t imagine my life without one now. They are such wonderful dogs, full of character who can make you smile even when they are covered in mud from their walks or racing round the garden with a stolen slipper. From those early days all things Bearded Collie were, and continue to be, an essential part of our home.

It was not until 1994 that I was able to own my first Beardie, Zoe (Woodcare Wild Rose) and from that day onwards there has always been Beardies in my own home. Although sparingly shown, Zoe introduced me t the world of dog showing and I was bitten by the bug from that day to this!

I am delighted to have a joint interest in the Woodacre kennel with my Mum. Between us, we enjoy campaigning our dogs and have had some success over the years with my personally most memorable day being when Angus (Ch. Nellbrook Mystical Knight of Woodacre JW) gained his title. The show team currently comprises Betsy (Ch Woodacre Thyme to Beguile JW), Callum (Nellbrook Wynter Magic of Woodacre) 1 CC and 2 RSS, Adam (Woodacre Thyme Will Tell) and the latest addition to the Woodacre kennel, Bruce (Braemoray Dream Angus of Woodacre JW) 1 CC.

I have attained all the Kennel Club examination requirements to judge Beardies at a higher level and am steadily developing my practical judging experience and increasing my knowledge of the breed in as many ways as possible.

I am currently the Secretary of the Midshires Bearded Collie Club and am happy to give time back to the breed that I love by helping others to enjoy the events and shows we run throughout the year.

PEIRSON Linda (Kiltondale)

I first encountered a beardie when I was 14 years old, this turned out to be Deanfield Autumn Gold owned by Jackie Goulder, our shepherdess where we take our beardies to do what comes naturally. I got my 1st beardie from Bryony Harcourt-Brown when I was 16 and soon became hooked on showing.

To date I have made up 4 champions in the breed, 3 owner/bred and 1 I had to show while he was in this country. At present I have 5 beardies, 3 females and 2 males and usually breed a litter when we want a puppy to show or if I have families willing to wait for one of our puppies. We have a male from Sweden, who is proving to be a usefull boy as he brings down COI and up-to-now, hip scores too.

I started judging in 1994 and in 2006 I awarded CC’s for the 1st time and have now awarded 3 sets of CC’s in the UK and judged over-seas on 3 occasions with appointments in the future. I have judged BIS at Open Show level and find judging other breeds I’m interested in fascinating.

There never will be another breed that will compare to a beardie, to me, the ultimate dog, a friend and wonderful companion.

PETTITT Lisa (Lakebank)

My interest in Rough Collies and Shetland Sheepdogs began as a child when my parents bred Shelties in the early sixties. Showing experience began in my teens when I took part in children’s handling classes with a Rough Collie (1974).

Breeding has been rather limited due to work commitments, but I have bred three generations of Shelties. Nearly all my show dogs have gained their KCSBN, or been Crufts qualified, have accumulated Reserve CC’s, Best in Show, Best Puppy in Show, Group placings, and many Best of Breed awards at open show level. I have also had the pleasure on behalf of some good friends to handle their Sheltie bitch to her title, and another two to a CC.

The history of the breeds has always been of great interest to me, and I enjoy tracing back pedigrees, and have also accumulated a vast collection of old handbooks, catalogues, albums and other canine related memorabilia too.

I enjoy reading books, especially those relating to the origins of the Pastoral and Working breeds. I also take great interest in Canine health topics too.

I have been judging since 1983, at open show level, and have fulfilled the criteria for having my name included on ‘A1, A2, A3, B & C’ lists. I am approved by the KC to award CC’s in Shetland Sheepdogs, and Rough Collies, and have judged overseas. I have attended various Breed Club Seminars and Training events for Rough/Smooth Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs, Border and Bearded Collies, and have carried out many stewarding appointments too. I am Show Secretary and Judges List Co-ordinator for the East Anglian Collie Association. I also reside on the English Shetland Sheepdog Club committee, for which I am currently the Show Secretary, and have held the position of Secretary for the East Anglian Branch of the E.S.S.C. for the past fifteen years.

RADLEY Peter (Intisari)

I have owned, bred and showed Rottweilers for over 40 years making up 4 British champions.
I award CCs in 27 breeds (14 Working Group, 9 Pastoral and 4 Utility). I am approved by KC to judge the Working and Pastoral Groups at Championship shows.
I first judged Beardies in 1985 and to date have judged 128 classes of the breed.
I would love to judge a club show of the breed especially in Scotland

RATTER Loraine (Seafar)

I was given my first Newfoundland when I was sixteen years old her name was Mishow Sea Harmony and I was able to take her to a few championship shows chauffeured by my dad! She won 2 RCCs and that sealed my fate I have travelled many, many thousands of miles since attending dog shows and become fully immersed in all aspects of the “dog world” since.

When I met my husband, added Boxers and Dobermann into our family both breeds were occasionally bred and shown successfully. Japanese Chin arrived at Seafar sixteen years ago and were joined by a Smooth Coat Chihuahua six years ago. Newfoundlands bred at Seafar include an American and a UK champion the black male Ch Seafar Crest of A Wave aka “Alfie” won BIS at The National Working & Pastoral Breeds Championship Show our proudest day! I imported the white and black male Lifeguard on The Rocks from the USA he won a CC but as a sire he excelled producing Seafar Coast to Coast who after a successful puppy career in the UK went to live in the Neverine kennel in Italy where he sired champions for Neverine and numerous champions for kennels throughout Europe.

I enjoy judging and have been honoured to judge throughout the UK and in Germany, France and Denmark I am passed to award CCs in Newfoundland, Boxer, Siberian Huskies, Dobermann, Border Collie and Japanese Chin.

I first judged Bearded Collies on 05/12/1993 it was a breed club match against the Border Collie Club of Scotland. I still have the letter of invitation a huge honour and over 60 dogs present. I have judged infrequently in those days but since semi-retirement I am able to travel more often and enjoy judging the working, pastoral and toy groups.

I am a founder member and current treasurer of the Northern Japanese Chin Club and member of The Scottish Kennel Club Executive Council, past secretary of The Newfoundland Club, past BHC for Newfoundlands and have served on the committees of the Scottish Boxer Club, Carluke & District and Clydebank & District Canine Society carrying out various roles including Show Manager. I also enjoy stewarding for SKC and been a member for over thirty-five years.

RICHARDS Frances (Elemark)

I have owned Beardes since 1978 and first judged the breed at open show level in 1990. I judged at championship show level for the first time in 2006. In June 2014 I judged dogs at the Finnish Bearded Collie Speciality Show. This was my first judging appointment abroad. This year I judged Australian Shepherd Dogs in Norway.
I have made up one bitch to champion and have bred CC, reserve CC, Junior Warrant and Show Certificate of Merit winners in the breed. I have bred only 5 litters in the 36 years I have owned Beardies, the first being in 1988 and the most recent in 2007.
I also owned 2 Australian Shepherds who have since died at ripe old ages and had a lot of fun showing in the import Register classes with them. I also now judge that breed at championship level. I also judge Border Collies at open show level, including 2 club open shows. However, I love the Beardie as a breed above all other.
I was a founder member of the Eastern Bearded Collie Association and served on the committee for many years, mostly as cup steward, also on the Judges Sub-committee. I was also on the National Australian Shepherd Association committee for 6 years and I am still on their Judges Sub-committee.
I own a horse and with my daughter belong to a distance riding group. If I am not at a dog show at the weekend, I am most likely to be found riding in somewhere like Thetford Forest.

ROWAN Denise (Rowancrest)

I give CCs in Shetland Sheepdogs, Rough Collies and Border Collies. I have judged for many years and I am an FCI judge and have judged in 7 different countries. I have bred 8 Champions and many dogs with Stud book numbers over the years. I have also judged CRUFTS in my own breed and do many Groups and have done 2 BISs

I love Bearded collies and have always had an interest in the breed. I have altogether judged 54 dogs. I have attended a seminar and passed my MCE with the Bearded Collie Club hosted by Midshires Bearded Collie and The North Of England Bearded Collie Club. At my last judging appointment at Consett I gave a Beardie puppy Best Puppy and she went on to win BPIS. I have given Beardies BOBs that have also won groups

My aim in judging is to judge by the breed standard fairly with the knowledge I have learnt through the years in any breed.

RUDD Verity (Lubin)

My first Beardie, Chloe, bounced into my life when I was nine – she was a working-type blessing that led me into a life-long love of dogs. When Chloe left us, our only choice was to find a Beardie and we found our first pedigree in Bobbie and through Bobbie, we became a multi-Beardie household – one is never enough!

I bred my first show-dog in 2001, Megan, who gained her studbook number and a place at my first Crufts. I have taken the responsibility of caring for our precious breed very seriously and have taken my time in developing my opinions, listening to my peers and taking all the opportunities to learn all I can.

I began stewarding in 2003, as this is an excellent way to expand your view of all types of dogs and knowledge of rules and regulations. This led to judging at companion shows and I still believe these are a great place to develop your judgement and the stamina for judging large classes. In 2004, I began judging at Open shows and have continued to attend seminars, judges’ training and develop through my peers.

I have bred two dogs to their studbook numbers and shown another. I am currently showing a team of three and have the luxury of being able to keep all my dogs in my home on their retirement. I will never stop learning, developing and improving in securing the future of our breed and thank everyone who supports me in my endeavours.

SARGENT Marion (Tegwani)

I have been involved with dogs for over 40 years. My first breed was the Akita, and I brought the first one into this country in 1980. I had some success with the breed and was co-owner with the first Champion in the breed and first general Championship Show BIS winner. I have also had success in other breeds. My connection with the Bearded Collie was back in the late 1970's- early 80's. My sister, who lives in Canada, was also involved in showing and imported some of Beardies into Canada. I was the chauffeur, chief exporter and they also lived with me until they went out. These were from Ann Wilding & Suzanne Moorhouse. I currently judge over the Utility, Working & Pastoral Groups at CC level. I am also very active in the administration of clubs and shows.

SPURRIER Geoff

Geoff Spurrier (Geliland) – short judging profile

I purchased my first beardie, Tambora’s Brown Sugar at Geliland, after seeing Margaret Osborne award Ch Osmart Bonnie Blue Braid BOB at Crufts in 1972. Brown Sugar was bred by Jackie Tidmarsh from Ch Osmart Bonnie Blue Braid ex Ch Edelweiss of Tambora.

After having reasonable success in the show ring with Brown Sugar, I showed two of his grandchildren, both of whom gained RCCs. Another became an American Champion (Ch Geliland Black Bawbee at Chaniam) who went BIS all breeds, and another a Swedish, Finnish and Norwegian Champion (Ch Geliland Morning Miracle).

My first homebred Champion was “Disney”, Ch Geliland Star of the Screen, who sired two English and two Irish Champions. By the age of 3, Disney had won every trophy the Bearded Collie Club had to offer – Top Puppy (Orora Trophy), Top Junior (Willison Trophy), and Top Dog (Tambora Trophy). When Disney was awarded his second CC under Anne Wilding (Bendale), he went BIS at Scottish Breeds Championship Show under Jim Currie.

I have shown Breeze (Ch Geliland Sea Breeze), a Disney great grandson, who, as well as having great success in the ring, being the top Beardie in the UK for 2007 and 2008 and winning the Tambora trophy, has also qualified as a Pets As Therapy dog (PAT).

I first judged Beardies in the 1980s, was approved to award CCs in 1992 and awarded my first set of CCs in 1993. Besides extensive judging in the UK, I’ve judged in Holland, Denmark, Finland and Germany. I'm judging the Great Lakes Bearded Collie Speciality near Detroit on Friday 4 July this year.

I am also a Life Member of the Bearded Collie Club. I have been a full member of The Kennel Club since 1994. For a number of years I served as Membership Secretary of the Bearded Collie Club.

Outside of dogs one of my hobbies is raising money for charity, and I am authorised by Teenage Cancer Trust to hold fundraising events on their behalf. There is now Teen Cancer America, an organisation established to replicate the work here in the UK.

STEAD Coleen (Clovabrae)

I have now lived with and shown Bearded Collies for 27 years and can't imagine life without them. I have dabbled with obedience and agility but the show ring is where my main interest is. I have been lucky enough to qualify seven Beardies for their Stud Book numbers including two of which are homebred. I have also campaigned three dogs to their UK Champion titles and was lucky enough to have the UK Top winning Bearded Collie of 2014.
I first began judging in 2007 and thoroughly enjoy and learn from each appointment and look forward to judging more in the future.

Page 2 of 3  <  1 2 3 >