Lesley
Allan-Scott
IT
IS with sadness that I record the passing last week of Lesley
Allan-Scott. Lesley’s beautiful Iroquois English Setters
are world famous, there having been 20 title holders during
the past 50 years. There have been several championship gundog
group winners over this time. Sh Ch Iroquois Concerto was
RBIS at Bath in 1981.
Lesley purchased her first English Setter in 1939 from Miss
Rumball of the then famous Archdale Kennel. She bred her first
litter in 1947 and started showing in 1952 and since then
over 100 CCs have been won. Lesley’s foundation bitch
however was bought from Mrs Broadhead (Ernford) and Iroquois
Ernford Irresistible is behind all subsequent Iroquois and
in many of today’s pedigrees. Iroquois stud dogs have
been tremendously influential for many other kennels.
Lesley was a real grass roots exhibitor and always had time
for the inexperienced novice. She still managed to exhibit
her dogs up until quite recently, despite her failing health.
Her last judging appointment was at the ESA Championship Show
in 2002 where she judged dogs. She also awarded CCs in the
other Setter breeds.
Lesley was a life member of the English Setter Association.
Her funeral took place on Friday October 4th.
Jane Dennis
It
was with much sadness that I heard of Lesley's sudden death.
Though she had suffered bad health for the last year, she
was always cheerful and refused to give in. Though not in
the same breed I have always admired her beautiful English
Setters. Their most beautiful heads for me typified her "Irquois"
affix and became my ideal.
I have known her for about 40 years, and she spent about eight
of those living on my premises, so I got to know those lovely
dogs very well, and they had the most lovely, easy-going temperaments,
and they were a great credit to her expertise in the developing
of her strain over the years.
I remember going around the open and Championship shows when
one of her dogs was in the Group and I was there with one
of my Goldens, I always felt I didn't stand a chance against
her! So many of her dogs had such "star" quality
that they frequently took the judge’s eye.
It is not up to me to list her top winning dogs, but suffice
it to say that a line that can produce 20 Champions must have
had a great influence on the breed, and her sound judgement
must be a loss to the breed.
Certainly those of us who knew Lesley well will greatly miss
her friendship, and I for one send my condolences to her son,
daughter and family.
Joan Tudor
(Camrose Golden Retrievers)
