Another couple of questions I'm afraid from a showing newbee.

Mo is entered into her (and my) first show in a fortnight. Will the ring number and catalogue be posted to me or do I have to collect it at the show (I entered online)?

I'm assuming minor puppy will be one of the first classes, so I will need to be there early, especially as she's likely to have been sick on the longest journey of her life. At an open show will there be a ring for dogs and bitches or are the dogs shown first in one ring followed by the bitch classes (the show is the Golden Retriever Club open show in Coventry if that helps).

Hi Catalogues and Ring numbers will be provided at the show.

You will need to collect your catalogue (check regarding ring number when you get there) from the secretary - more than likely your ring number will be provided in the ring at the time of your class.

I would think with your breed you will have two different rings for dogs and bitches - the schedule may give you this information ?

Good luck and have fun :)

Sorry yes Minor Puppy is first in the ring - but if dogs/bitches sharing a ring then you won't need to be as early - have a check on the schedule :)

If the dogs & bitches are being judged by different judges and in different rings then yes, minor puppy will be first in the ring but if they are being judged in the same ring it will be minor puppy dog first but the minor puppy bitches will not be in the ring until all the dogs have been judged and they will be at least lunch time.

Sorry typing whilst you posted

As previously said you will not be sent your ring number or the catalogue(this doesnt happen at any show).

It should also state in the schedule time of judging for dogs & bitches...if it doesnt say a different judging start time then it may be only one ring but I very much doubt that with Goldies, even with an open show.

I have a friend on FB with goldies..will see if she knows for deffo for you...unless someone on here can say.

Looking at the schedule again, there appears to be only the one judge listed and minor puppy dog is class 1, minor puppy bitch is class 12, so guess I don't need to be there at 9.00am when the show opens.

Would not know what is normal for your breed club but would think they will break for lunch either before the bitches or after the puppy bitches so I would be there by 11.30 to noon to give yourself time to calm down - go earlier if you want as you can then watch the judge and see how they like things done.

> I would be there by 11.30 to noon to give yourself time to calm down

I'm already nervous and I've got 2 weeks to go!!! It's the fear of the unknown. I'm not like this with agility shows and know what to do and expect.

Then give yourself plenty of time, you can sit round the ring and see how the judge moves the dogs, you can also so see if they are moved at the beginning and end of the class and if at the end they are sent round together or moved across the ring one at a time.

Watch to see how the judge goes over the dogs so you are ready to grab hold of your puppy if needed.

Now relax, no one expects a pup to behave and as a judge I would much rather they did not - most judges like puppies to behave like puppies so enjoy and relax, don't rush, if you are not ready the judge will wait, if your pup is not moving well then go back and start again you can even ask if you can move again if you think you can do better.

Thanks Nova, I'm sure once this first show is out of the way I'll be OK.

I am sure you will as well

As it is a breed open show there is only one judge. Therefore bitches will in the afternoon. I would get there sometime in the morning and settle her down. If she is sick you will have had plenty of time to clean her up and she will be dry before your class. You MAY get your ring card with your catalogue but mostly you will go in the ring and the give the steward your number (from the catalogue) and he will give you your ring card.
By getting there early (morning) you will be able to see what the judge is asking the exhibitors to do i.e. triangles, up and down etc. and so will, hopefully, be less stressed yourself. You will also be able to watch how other people are presenting their dogs and how they are being placed at the end of the class. Enjoy and don't forget that you will be taking the best dog home with YOU.

We have a collecting ring at our club shows and the ring number will be given you by the collecting ring steward.

In case you don't know a collecting ring is a small area when you go before your class and the steward will give you your ring numbers and sort you into order then you all enter the ring in line so the judge can watch you coming in if they wish.

If this s your first show then tell the stewards and they will make sure you are in the right place at the right time and doing the right thing

How did you get on, hope you enjoyed your first show ?

Well we weren't placed, but she did all I asked of her and it wasn't as nerve-wracking as I'd anticipated. So, all in all a good day out! To top it all a friend I'd made at ringcraft won the class!

Well now you have broken the ice so to speak you will hopefully do better next time.