Breed notes with kind permission of OUR DOGS
SPC
16th Feb 2026 POTY
It was nice to be back in a hotel environment for the Poodle of the Year Gala. Somehow it just makes it more of a special event. This year we were at the Sketchley Grange Hotel & Spa. Some people stayed there too. Maybe next year we could try the full party event again. Time to wait & see.
There was a superb raffle & tickets were bought from the dynamic duo of Barbara Cherry & Ron McAuley. I dont think anyone escaped them. Later there was a one off draw for a Landro Poodle in a reclined position. This was once owned by Joan Porter. It was won by Karen Rogerson who donated it back again.
So to the main event. Diane Smith did the draw at 9.45 for the 4 competitions & then the secret judges were introduced prior to judging. They were Alan Dredge (Vanitonia), Sheila McBlain (Kossab) & Cara Thomas (Sherrygold)
Everyone was entertained by the one & only Lee Cox who gave out the details of dogs & owners & made up his own stories of the dogs if there were no details given! Naughty boy.
Firstly in were the Puppy/Juniors. The semi finalists were the Toy Nasailleen Talk To The Hand, the Std Janavons Midnighty Melody, the Std Huffish Black Hero & the Miniature Tatalena Rock ‘N’ Roll Star.
The finalist were Lisa Nelson with the Black Toy & Lena Tate with the Apricot Min. The overall winner was the black Toy male.
Toys were next in. Again the semi finalists were Afterglow Nutmeg, Sotto Voce Barbie at Stepanelle & Ch Mikasa Magicstar Small Talk JW. Thus time the finalists were Kim Sillito-Beale handling for Steve & Lynn Land’s with Barbie & Arturo Sheppard with Della. She was declared as Toy of the Year.
During the lunch break Tracey James judged the Special Beginners & Veterans. Winning the Beginners was Libby Church with the black Min male Joleena Magnifique Pierre JW & runner up was Naomi Dziobon’s Std Sterlingway Astralmighty.
In Veterans Tracey chose Tracey Brown’s white Std Ch somanic Spectre for Jaspalie & runner up was my black Min Ch Navarre’s Extrovert JW.
Lunchtime over & it was the turn of the Miniatures. Again, the semi finalists were Ch Silvora Crystal Star Jw, Ch Volgarus Candid Clara, Ch Michandy It’s Showtime at Pupstar JW & Ch Joleena’s In Excelsis with Navarre JW. The winner was Suzanne & Andrew Lee-Morris’ Gio & Runner-Up was Emma Hunter & Agnes Murphy’s Gerry 2Toys.
The last size in the ring was the Standards. The 4 semi finalists were Kamarri Let’s Go Barbie to Crystalar, Ch Sculbrook Raising The Odds JW, Kamarri Smarty Pantts & Amber Nova Fatal Attraction for Achara JW CW25. The winner was Fiona & Carol Brook’s Albert & Runner Up was Natasha Dawson with Cougar.
Finally & in very good time it was time for the POTY to be announced. It was Gio the Miniature.
A good time was had by all.
A few tweaks are needed for next year but I thought it all went really well.
I just wish the rain had held off another half hour! We were soaked packing the car!!
Following the Poodle Clubs 150th Anniversary Show there will be a special feature in Our Dogs edition dated 27th February. If you want to place an advert they must be in by the 20th. Contact Our Dogs.
Liz Holmes-Leak
Email : navarreliz@aol.com
Apologies to Sharon Cummins; in my haste to get last week’s breed notes submitted, I made an error in the results. Sharon’s Willowmiens Illicit Affair was Best Baby Puppy in Standards at The Poodle Club Championship Show.
I have heard positive reports of the new venue where The Poodle of the Year Gala was held. I will leave it to Liz to write the report, as she was able to attend and can give a first-hand report on the day.
In the Our Dogs edition of 27th February, there will be a feature covering The Poodle Club’s 150th Anniversary Show. It will include a report on the club and will be the first opportunity to read the judges’ critiques. We are very happy that Our Dogs has chosen to feature us. There is also the opportunity to advertise at special reduced rates, so it is well worth taking advantage of this to record your wins or simply to congratulate The Poodle Club on their historic show, while also gaining a little pre-Crufts publicity. The deadline for copy is 20th February. To book your advert, you can contact Kerry on 0161 709 4566(kerry@ourdogs.co.uk) or Matthew on 0161 709 4560 (matthew@ourdogs.co.uk).
The next breed club show is Midland Counties PC, who are celebrating their 70th Anniversary. The show is being held on Sunday 15th February at The Connexion, Ryton-on-Dunsmore, CV8 3FL. There is no news about entry numbers as yet. Safe travels to all making the journey.
Sharon Pine-Haynes
30th January 2026
I and my family would like to thank everyone for their kind words, cards and flowers following the sudden loss of my husband Alex on 4th January,we were married for 36 years and his loss has left us all bereft.
I have to praise my committee on The Poodle Club for the support they gave me in getting the 150th Anniversary Show over the line. I’m so very proud of them for making the day an outstanding success.This show had been planned for a very long time, we wanted it to be an occasion to celebrate our history and to look forward to the future,we’ve parceled up the fabulous history display which Stuart Vidler had gathered so that whoever is in charge for the 200 years show has it all waiting for them!We were blessed with many visitors, it was particularly lovely to welcome Wendy Streatfield and Ann Rawlinson who were former committee members and are very much interwoven with the breed history,they cut the celebration cake which with glasses of fizz was available to toast the club.From outside the breed it was a pleasure to see Ian Seath ( RKC Chairman) and his wife Sue,Paul Eardley, Simon Parsons,Liz Cartledge ,Sussie Wiles, Jenny Dove, Emma Dyer and countless others.We were fortunate to be supported by our sponsors with The Pawdinary giving generous prizes as did Royal Canin.Kim Sillito-Beale our BIS judge generously donated two of her treasures a beautiful bronze medallion by Patsi Ann that she had won for BIS at The Poodle Club some years ago it was very fitting this was awarded to this years BIS and a valuable solid glass Poodle figurine by Bertil Vallien ,Sweden which was awarded to Best Special Beginner In Show,a really wonderful gift from Kim.
A special mention to our President Angela Corish who organized a wine raffle and Sarah Oldfield who kindly volunteered to run the main raffle,both brought in excellent funds towards the cost of the show. There was host of fellow breed clubs and exhibitors who all sponsored rosettes,it was all much appreciated. Our Dogs have been terrific and will be doing a feature about the show in the 27th February edition,if you’d like to advertise there were flyers distributed at the show and I’m sure there will be further information in OD’s.Photography was by Malcolm Beck who is on our committee and also the girls from Fuchsia Media who will be posting in their photo gallery which will be available on The Poodle Club FB.
On to the results,Kim Sillito -Beale judged the finals where her Best In Show winner was the lovely Miniature,Ch Michandy It’s Showtime At Pupstar JW ,who has continued his winning ways into 2026,shown as always by Suzanne Lee-Morris and bred by Jackie Kitchener.There is no denying that the show was a momentous one for the Afterglow team,who won 3 CC’s and 2 BOB’s at the show,their star was the young Standard puppy Afterglow Voltaire, who was Best Puppy In Show and Reserve BIS.Best Veteran In Show was Tracy Brown and Ch Somanic Spectre at Jaspalie and Best Special Beginner In Show was the black Standard Sarnia Taking It Eze ,shown by Katie Foster.
Lorena Merati of the well known Samarcanda Poodles in Italy judged Standards,where she gave the Dog CC,BOB & Best Puppy In Breed to Mike Gadsby handling Afterglow Voltaire,Reserve DCC was won by Atastar Written In Stone who topped a good open dog class piloted by Philip LAangdon.In bitches it was another Afterglow ,this time the junior bitch A Kill For Candy,shown by Jason Lynn and co owned with Ilaria Biondi De Ciabatti.Reserve BCC was another youngster who has a growing number of small green and white cards,Kamarri Lets Go Barbie To Crystalar JW,she is shown by Linda Barker and co owned with James and Fenella.Best bitch puppy had made the long journey from Ireland worthwhile for Lauren Rowe and Larune Spellbound Legacy.Best Veteran was the previously mentioned Ch Somanic Spectre at Jaspalie,Best Special Beginner was Sarnia Taking It Eze.I love the idea of the Baby Puppy classes,winning Best Baby Puppy in Standards it was a Exalon Moonlight Maestro,owned by Lesley Davies.
The Miniature ring had Jakub Kruczek from Poland making his debut as a judge in the UK, as previously stated his DCC and BOB was Suzanne and Ch Michandy It’s Showtime At Pupstar jw. The Reserve DCC went back to Scotland with Fiona Bruce and her white boy,Am Ch Piedmont’s James Bond With Donaska,continuing a good day Fiona also won Best Puppy In Breed with Starianna It’s All About Me With Donaska. Best Dog Puppy was Charabecca Levi’s Luckiest,shown by Becky Harvey. .Melanie Harwood and her cream girl Minarets Counter Attack captured the Bitch CC,with the Reserve BCC won by Raennes Mai Tai For Sirnsong JW, she is owned by Yvette Dumont.Best baby puppy was very competitive with Debbie Sims and Meadowfairs Above The Law taking home the pretty rosette.
In Toys Adam Ostrowski from Poland was making the decisions and it was a fantastic entry for him to judge.His BOB and BCC winner was Tom Isherwood ,handling Ch Dream High Kai Kennel Afterglow Adrenaline ,she is co owned with Jason Lynn.The Dog CC winner is the much travelled Jap Ch Smash JP Play With Me ,who is owned by Toshi Omura but is shown by Sebastian Witters who had travelled with his partner Martin Oevering from Belgium for the show.Reserve DCC was Ch AfterglowKaptain Krunch At Carianjo JW shown by Rosie Moss.Best Puppy dog and Best Puppy In Breed was Aedan Dancing In The Dark who is bred and owned by Sandra Godfrey.Winning the Reserve BCC was another bred by Toshi Omura in Japan,this time the white Ch SmashJP White Kiss To Minarets ,she is owned and shown by Melanie Harwood.Best Puppy Bitch was Afterglow Albertina.Best Veteran In Breed was Ir Ch Philora Silver Pudding,she is shown by Sandra Martin who is one of the few still showing who were at the Poodle Club Centenary in 1976. Winning Best Special Beginner In Breed was Melissa Smith and Afterglow Trifle Tipsy By Sharisel. Best Baby Puppy In Breed was the brown boy, Atastar Espresso For Mikasa,owned by Arturo Sheppard and handled by Philip Langdon.
The 150th Anniversary Stakes was judged just before final BIS Judging,there was handsome prize money available to 8th place, the winner was Kate Bleasdale with her Standard Doliche Chasing Thrills.
And so with this show wrapped ,thoughts go to next Weekends POTY Gala,good lucjk to all travelling to the new venue,I look forward to reading the results.
Sharon Pine-Haynes
Tel 01483 277874
Issue: 23/01/2026
POODLE
Firstly I would like to send all of our condolences to Sharon, Tom, Becky & George Pine-Haynes on the loss of beloved husband & dad Alex. Please be patient if you need to contact Sharon about The Poodle Club Ch Show. Try contacting Philip Langdon or Malcolm Beck.
Before you know it Manchester Ch Show has come around once more. Miniatures were judged by Dr Ron James who was awarding poodle CCs for the first time. He saw nothing to lower the colours of Suzanne & Andrew Lee-Morris’ Ch Michandy It’s Showtime at Pupstar JW who was winning his 36th CC & BOB. Later in the day they took Group 3 under Tom Mather. Richard Grindey & Stephen Dyer’s Regulus Black Malricey won his 2nd Res CC. Making her return to the ring after my various calamities over the last 4 months was my Ch Joleena’s In Excelsis with Navarre JW. She won her 10th CC. I haven’t been able to get 2 dogs ready for the ring & have been having fun with my Veteran boy Ch Extrovert. The winner of the Res Bitch CC was Donna & Gareth Sarson’s Arrowflight High Society at Dongara JW ShEx Osw. She is half sister to Its Showtime. Best Puppy & on a roll was Kay Reeve-Kettle’s Vadisima’s Guiding Promise who is half sister to In Excelsis. Best Veteran was Christine Lister with Calmaric One For The Money JW & Best Special Beginner went to Sue Clarke’s Sumania Opal.
Next in the ring Gavin Robertson judged the Standards. Winning the Dog CC & BOB was Obarrio’s Del Tornau Que Se Pare El Tiempo who is from Smart Connection & Del Zarzoso breeding. The winner of the Res Dog CC, Best Puppy, then Puppy Group 1 & Res BPIS under Darren Clarke was Tom Isherwood, Mike Gadsby & Jason Lynn’s Afterglow Voltaire handled by Mike. In bitches it was a 2nd CC for Karen Patterson-Rogerson’s Kamarri Smarty Pantts JW. She was handled by her sires owner Sarah O’Higgins. The litter sister to Voltaire, Afterglow Altered Images won the Res Bitch CC. She is co-owned by Anna Skinner (handler) Jason Lynn & Tom Isherwood. What a super day for these 8 months old littermates. Best Veteran, most unusually wasn’t awarded as none were entered! Best Special Beginner went to Barranca Piket with Dandy-Lion’s Sno’bodys Business. This brown boy looked very smart in his short trim.
In the next ring Lee Cox was judging various breeds including Toy Poodles. He gave the Dog CC & Best Puppy to Sandra Godfrey’s 8 month old Aedan Dancing In The Dark. Taking the Res Dog CC was Lisa Nelson & Mrs Bryant’s Nasailleen Talk To The Hand. A new one appeared in Bitches who enchanted Lee. This was Alessandra Giovannini’s Icontrue Octopus, she looked lovely in the group. Arturo Sheppard’s Ch Mikasa Magicstar Small Talk JW added another Res CC to her impressive collection. Again there were Veterans entered. Best of the Special Beginnings was Shaz Nour & Mrs C Isherwood’s Afterglow Go With The Flo.
The only winner I could find in the various stakes was Sarah O’Higgins’ Jasenak Secret Is Safe at Sarnia who won the Junior Stakes under David Guy.
Please do not try to phone me on my old landline number, always call me on my mobile number. Thanks
Next show is the Poodle Club Ch next sunday which is followed by The Poodle Gala on saturday 31st January.