Kate

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Kate

Alhambra Introduction Read All About It.. What's it all about... Have we got news for you.. My Family Fame Academy The Englishmen Abroad Shooting the Past Pup Idols Judgement Day.. The History Books The Strongest Links

Australia's Independent Kennel!

Sooty- a BIS winner

Shipden Nutmeg
DOB 1965

Penny a daughter of INT Ch Ouaine Chieftain

Shipden Yarrow

Teal- the first black Champion since tha war

Ch Shipden Alhambra

Angela - a res CC winner

Risdene Debutante at Shipden JW

Kate was born in the world of English Springers as her parents are Colin and Carolyn Muirhead of the World Famous "Shipden" Spaniels.

At the age of five she showed her first spaniel, a BIS winning Cocker "Shipden Nutmeg" a granddaughter of Ch Colinwood Silver Lariet. Nutmeg was bred with in Kate's name and until her marriage Kate had an unbroken line of cockers (mainly Orange roan) going back to Nutmeg.

Her first springer came a couple of years later and in 1971 she won her first CC with Gainsborough of Shipden under Ellen Dobson at Windsor Ch Show. Other Springers shown later on included Shipden Pearl Diver and Shipden Richmond Lord. Another,- Shipden Lorenzaccio was awarded his "qualifier" (now known as the Show Gundog Working certificate) whilst handled by Kate aged 13.

In 1972 Kate got her first Field Spaniel Elmbury Bette, who won the Res CC at Crufts under Joe Braddon. Bette was mated to Peggy Grayson's Sh Ch Leeonvale Mr Kadberry and produced Ch Shipden Alhambra, his breeders first home bred Champion and the first black Field Spaniel Champion since the war! "Teal" won his first CC and BOB under Mr A Badnach Nicolson, his second CC and BOB under George Couzens and his crowning CC with BOB from Kay Doxford of the famous Broomleaf cockers.

After Teal came the legendary "Arthur" of Sh Ch/Aus Ch Risdene Albatross at Shipden the super Sussex! Arthur was bred by Kate's great friends Sally and Pat Leslie, and by Sh Ch Tibeash of Fourclovers (who was Kates favourite dog and slept on her bed) out of Shipden Harnser. Arthur won his first CC in style at the Club specialty in 1982 judged by Joan Wells Meacham,(and applauded ringside by Australian visitor, Michael Keely!) his second CC was from Arnold Hall and he gained his title at Windsor under breed specialist John Almond.

Arthur became the property of both Kate Muirhead and Michael Keely during Michael's 1982 holiday when they became engaged. During this time Kate was also showing some cockers from the Bitcon lines and took delivery of a B/W Springer bitch Risdene Debutante at Shipden (Angela), a daughter of Sh Ch Monclare Mr Chips. Angela gained her Junior Warrant with ease and was joint "Springer Special Bitch Puppy" of the year. In 1984 Kate and Michael married in the UK and honeymooned at Crufts! Angela obliged with a great wedding present, by winning Junior bitch under Ian Hampton.

Whilst Angela stayed in the UK, we were thrilled to bring out her decendant "Shipden Michael Bentine" in mid 2003!

And the rest is history.............................!

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