I've just been sent a schedule for a show (not judged on the group system) where an A list judge for our breed is scheduled to be our judge. I'll admit I'm a bit clueless when it comes to rules and regulations, but I'm really surprised that someone who had an entry of 200+ last year at a champ show would be allowed to judge 3 breed classes (same breed) at an open show the following year. Can anyone clarify this? I might enter this show so I'd like to know if our judge is likely to change!!

Thanks,

Clare

There is no reason an A list judge can't do classes at an open show, it this judge knows they have no more Championship appointments for at least 18 months they will take an open show appointment in order to keep their hand & eye in.

Thanks, guess I'm just surprised - never seen it happen before!

We were judged by Frank Kane at an open show. :-)

Not all that uncommon, I've seen it a fair few times in both my breeds.

Yes I've had Frank Kane at open shows as well. :)

Think Frank Kane is going for a full house, he seems to accept almost any appointment particularly for breeds he does not give tickets in.

Thing is with judges that only give tickets in one or two breeds they could go for ages without an appointment as many championship shows use all rounders and not that many breed specialists so to keep their judging eye in they will take any appointment they are offered - others are all but professional and spend the whole time judging.

I have no problem with an A list Judge judging the group and BIS at an open show but think it's a shame for new judges who need the numbers in their breed to progress up the list. Everyone had to start at the bottom.

Everyone had to start at the bottom.

That is true but if A list judges did not sometimes take an open show appointment it could be that they would not judge a breed for a number of years and that can't be very satisfactory either. With a judge not being able to judge the same breed at championship show within 18 months and often not at open level for 12 months it is only those who judge many breeds that have the luxury of only accepting appointments at championship level. A judge who is only on the lists of 2 or 3 breeds has to take what is offered.

Of course a lot depends on how pushy a judge is happy to be as well, some do not go in for self publicity.

This particular judge awards CCs in 20+ breeds.  So unlikely to be a shortage of appointments.  I notice many open shows have as few judges as possible (especially these days when money is tight), so I suppose getting someone experienced in as many breeds as possible is a bonus... and that's often going to be those who have judged for longer (and inevitably award CCs).

I never mind being judged by an experienced judge. I like their opinion based on decades of dogs,they often don't have an axe to grind and are seldom intimidated by exhibitors.
Better surely than those who are collecting loads of breeds for their CV ...yet never actually judge the cream of the breed.
One thing to have read the standard and seen a few at an open show...and quite another to have given CCs in a quality entry in a breed.