I spent the weekend working as an outside ring steward at an AKC all-breed show. I learned so much, I thought maybe a novice's observations and lessons learned about the dog show world might be interesting. I've learned so very much from all of you on this list, I thought maybe I could offer something too. Here goes:
On the first day, I was the outside steward with someone who had never been an inside steward (a Cavalier friend of mine who also is relatively new to all of this). She was very nervous. Together, we had the judge steaming mad before the first dog entered the ring. For the rest of the morning, she made sure we were completely aware of every mistake/misstep we made. By lunch, we both knew how to be stewards -- to the benefit of our judges on day 2. Here is what she taught us (in the order of anger generated). NEVER steal the judge's pen! In fact, make sure there are at least FIVE pens sitting next to the judge's book at all times. The outside steward MUST make sure the inside steward calls out the correct numbers for each class -- be a back-up database. If the inside steward doesn't get the numbers right, at a minimum the judge will cast you an intimidating glance, or worse yet, she'll say something about your mistake in a loud voice for all to hear. If the judge asks you who is absent, make sure you get it right the FIRST time. If an exhibitor tells you a dog will be absent, and the judge hears it as "the dog moved up", don't later argue with her when she wants to know where the *h--l* that dog is. Exhibitors should NEVER park seven crates full of working breeds outside of the toy ring, and then leave them there ALL day. Actually, you'll likely be asked to move them after the second hour of *constant barking*. Exhibitors in the first class on the first day of a set of shows are the most nervous group for the entire weekend. Take a deep cleansing breath and relax. Your anxiety wears off on the ring stewards who really are trying to get it right. There are only a few select breeds whose exhibitors as a group are rude and pushy. To avoid representing your breed as one that attracts rude and pushy people, don't TOUCH the outside ring steward's book, or pull it out of her hands, take her pen, and then wonder why she hasn't yet placed a check next to your dog's number. Especially, don't ask, "Aren't you going to check him off?" when you are holding both the book and pen! Be nice to the ring stewards. We have a job to do and a judge to cope with. Your anger and irritation that we didn't hear exactly what you were asking the first time you said it as the dogs across the way were howling simply does not help matters. Professional handlers who have been rude to you when you were an exhibitor are the nicest people in the world when you are stewarding. In fact, I think they might have an evil twin who goes to the shows where you are entered, because this person checking in his dog was never so polite! Lunch for judges and stewards is the absolute BEST food! Day 2 of a show is much easier, calmer, and more fun than Day 1, and it's not just the judge. In fact, if you aren't assigned to the same judge on Day 1 as you are on Day 2, that Day 1 judge might tell EVERYONE in the Kennel Club hosting the show what a great job you did, greet you the next day with a BIG smile, and let you know how sad they are that you won't be spending the day with them again. You just never know when you might be liked and appreciated. If you want to REALLY learn the AKC award/point system, try a day or two of ring stewarding. Thanks for reading this far, Robin McLeod Minnesota and Teddy: you went to a dog show and didn't take me? P.S. Congratulations Suze! A Bred-By Champion! May I ever get so far. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Finance - Get real-time stock quotes http://finance.yahoo.com ========================================================= "Magic Commands": to stop receiving mail for awhile, click here and send the email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20NOMAIL to start it up gain click here: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20MAIL E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] for assistance. Search the Archives... http://apple.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ckcs-l.html All e-mail sent through CKCS-L is Copyright 2002 by its original author.
