I was born in Lower Hutt and was the 5th child in a family of seven children. We could never have a dog as children, as our property wasn't large enough. We had a pet magpie, cat. After marrying peter we had the opportunity to move to Clive in Hawke's Bay with 3 of our daughters, Johanna was born 5yrs later. I was Secretary of the Hawke's Bay Kennel Association for 10yrs, then President for 3yrs giving my time to the hobby I enjoy. I gained my Border Collie Judges Licience in 1987 and have been able to judge the breed in New Zealand, England and the USA.

I care, groom and breed the Border Collies Living at Clan Abby. Breeding is something I enjoy always striving to breed better.  We have exported our Border Collies to many Countries around the world. 

The highest accolade was winning best dog and best bitch at Crufts Dog Show in England.   Westminster in the USA was a great excitement with two dogs breed at Clan Abby, being the First Border Collies in the USA to win at Westminster.   In Australia Winning Best In Show at the Adelaide Royal and Runner-up twice.

Our dogs are Champions in USA, England, South Africa, Japan, Hungary, Belgium, Israel, Ireland, Sweden, Zimbabwe, Finland, Denmark, Australia and New Zealand.  Breeding is a Life time Involvement.