A GLIMPSE INTO THE PAST WITH PEGGY RILEY 1978

    For the past few years I have been rather a sick lady and I find I tire so very easily but I will try to recall my beginnings with the wonderful Afghan Hound.

    The name BLETCHINGLEY did not begin with the Afghan but with my much loved Cocker Spaniels, but being asked to care for and handle RANA OF CHAMAN (owned by Reg Floyd) I became completely captivated with these noble creatures, known to us, their slaves as the Afghan Hound.

    But I must come down to earth and recall personalities of the (I'm proud to say) famous BLETCHINGLEY Afghans. After RANA left me to go to America at the outbreak of the war I purchased his litter sister, SHIBA OF CHARMAN, and gave a home to RAVELLY BADRA, so there's my first two.

    My first Champion CH BLETCHINGLEY TAJOMER (out of SHIBA by TAJAMEER OF CHARMAIN) was a real gentleman and noted for his beautiful head. He was an eminent sire and among his progeny was CHAMPION NETHEROYD RED EAGLE (ex. CH NETHEROYD TURKMAN CAMELTHORNE) my CHAMPION BLETCHINGLEY ZARA (ex. BADREA) who won 15 C.C.s and a repeat mating produced CH. BLETCHINGLEY TRIBESMAN, born in 1948, again that beautiful head, and to my mind probably the best Afghan to come from our kennel, he gained 4 C.C.s and BOB at Crufts (Judge Clara Bowring) but sadly died at an early age.

	CH. BLETCHINGLEY HILLSMAN Born 1951 gained his title 1954. (Sire of CHs B Talookdar, B Houndsman, B Zelda and B Badra el Kabul
CH. BLETCHINGLEY TALOOKDAR Born in 1953 gained his title in 1957
	CH BLETCHINGLEY HOUNDSMAN Born in 1957, gained his title in 1960

    CH BLETCHINGLEY HILLSMAN (JALALABAD BARWALA OF CARLOWAY ex CH. BLETCHINGLEY ZARA) was a great showman with many C.C.s under his belt. He sired CH BLETCHINGLEY TALOOKDAR, who in turn sired CH BLETCHINGLEY SALUNA (ex BLETCHINGLEY YANA, a grand daughter of HILLSMAN) and CH BLETCHINGLEY STATESMAN (ex CH. ZARA) who, after gaining his title, went to America. CH BLETCHINGLEY HOUNDSMAN, another son of HILLSMAN and out of BLETCHINGLEY SHIRIN, went to Sweden (1961) as an unbeaten Champion and became the leading dog of the year in Scandanavia.

     I feel I must now pick out a just a few of the 21 Champions I bred, 13 of them British and amongst the most illustrious was my CH. BLETCHINGLEY ZELDA, a tremendous showgirl, she began her marvellous career by winning her first CC while still a puppy, under Mrs Devitt (CARLOWAY), ZELDA went on to win 15 CC.C.s, and was twice B.O.B  at Crufts two years running and Res. B.I.S. at LKA, all breeds show at Olympia 1962. After her breath taking career I mated her to CH. HORNINGSEA SHEER KHAN. I kept one dog, Bletchingley Mastermind, one of the bitches went to America to Col. Pede and became AM CH. BLETCHINGLEY SAHARI OF SCHEHREZADE. Col. Pede also owned CH. BLETCHINGLEY RAGMAN OF scheherezade who was a son of TALOOKDAR.

    MASTERMIND was mated to BLETCHINGLEY ZARDA producing BLETCHINGLEY BOGEYMAN who went to Mrs Ray's kennels in Perth Australia in 1969, he soon goined his title and became Top Hound 3 years running, he also has a wonderful temperament and is a real showman, as is BLETCHINGLEY NICOLA, a grand daughter of ZELDA who also went to Mrs Ray and soon gained her title and has produced some excellent litters to BOGEYMAN.

    It is nearly 40 years since SHIBA and BADRA came to me so I feel I have only skated over all the experiences these glorious and rewarding hounds have given me and I know I haven't mentioned every Champion that bore the BLETCHINGLEY affix as many were scattered all over the world but I must not forget Monica Fairburn's CH. BLETCHINGLEY MARGUERITE, a beautiful daughter of BLETCHINGLEY PATROLMAN.

    I sigh for the past, only because ill health prevents me from visiting many shows and seeing today's beautiful hounds. There are many superb Afghans today, perhaps a little too many, but there again not too many good ones, that would be impossible.

    Before I finish I must say I have enjoyed all my judging appointments, far too many to enumerate, but a special mention for my visit to Aussie to judge and whilst there visited Mrs Ray of Perth and saw NICOLA and CASSIUS (BOGEYMAN). What a joy our Hounds do bring us when I think of ZELDA stepping daintily around the paths, refusing to get a speck of dirt on her, or Saluna (RITA) with her paws around Christine's neck dancing the 'Polka' ('Shall we dance' Hop Hop Hop' etc). There are 101 anecdotes which spring to mind and each and every one has enriched my life, not just because they were Champions and a feast for my eyes, but because they were individuals and I truly loved them all.

Peggy Riley 1978  © Harcourt Brown & Co Ltd

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