Robyn, Thank you for your inspired and insightful glance into the world of AKC ring stewarding. I'm sure it brought levity to a great many of the lister's mornings --- I know it did to mine :0) BTW, you write very well, perhaps you should share your keen obsevations of the show world more often. You could be our own "Special Reporter"!
Many thanks, you made my morning! Susan V. [EMAIL PROTECTED] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >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! 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