We're looking a show schedules for August/September. Usually we do open shows within, say 1 hour's travelling distance - ie as far as Newmarket/Uxbridge/Ardingley (we live in Essex). We have Australian shepherds and there aren't always classes for them, so generally, quite happily, enter the AVNSC Pastoral classes - it keeps Loki in training & would be good for the Piddles for get out more. However, looking at Newmarket, the Judge who is doing AVNSC is also judging another 9 groups.

Our experience is that the AVNSC classes always seem to be at the end of a show - but what would be your view about going under a Judge who has already judged 9 other groups? We experienced this at a recent Champ show, and quite honestly, didn't really feel that the Judge gave our classes the time that they were entitled to. A day at a show means that although 3 of the dogs get our undivided attention, the others don't - but if the 3 who are at the shows don't get "value for money" in the ring does the time that they are hanging around waiting count as good experience?

What is the view of other Champdoggers?

Its a very difficult decision, personally I don't very often enter AVNSC at Open shows as my breed tend to be overshadowed by flashier breeds. I think a day at a show is a valuable tool for training dogs, and I also find that I enjoy the social side of the day, so wouldn't mind hanging about. Depending on the show you may well not have to be there until midday, so could make it an afternoon rather than a whole day.

Looking at the problem from the other side of the coin (as Asst. Sec of a local Open Show).
When the KC brought in their new rules on who could judge Variety classes and groups it became a nightmare to get judges who had the correct qualifications and who were willing to judge. (i.e. a judges is only allowed to judge varieties and a group if they give Challenge certificates). What we have done to try and be fair is to give separate AVNSC for each group and usually it is the jude for that group who does them. We do not put them at the end of the day they are spread through the whole day.

This is one of the reasons that a judge may well be judging a lot of classes and AVNSC as well as Groups. A lot of judges are trying to gain experience in different breeds to get on breed club lists and are only willing to come to judge if they are given some of the breeds they are wanting.

In an ideal world we would only employ judges to do a small number of breeds and classes that they are au fait with, but this is not an ideal world and we have to balance the books, keep to KC rules and please the exhibitor. Unfortunately a lot of the judges that we appoint are only names on a list and we have to take the view that if the breed clubs have thought them worthy of going on a list that they must be up to their job. Sadly not always the case, but we do our best.

Shame you are so far away from us in Norfolk, we tried for a couple of years with Aussie classes and got very little support so had to take them off to try and keep our averages up for the KC.

Hope this helps

Jayne

9 other groups? How do you manage that then.... there were only 7 last time I looked!! :)
Alot depends on the judge....does he have an interest in your breed? I see no reason not to go under an all rounder....especially as your breed seems to be becoming rather popular these days...presumably more judges will be becoming familiar with the breed standard in the knowledge that they are likely to come across them more often now.
I wouldnt let that put me off....have fun!

9 other groups?.... I'm dyslexic with numbers:) :)!
(at least that's my excuse to the Bank Manager every time!)

hey

I have a similar problem also in Essex but have a Vizsla, although I have shown a few times as AVNSC particularly when he was younger mostly now I tend to do less shows and travel further for the breed unless the judge of AVNSC is a judge that we have done well under before or it it a really local show, less than 30mins.

It is a tough call though and really up to you, but the few we have done AVNSC we have been 1st in the ring, which he likes so it has always worked well for us.
To get to know the judges we nearly always do an AV class and Stakes classes, it makes the journey nearly worth it then!! Have also been known to do the adult handling classes for the extra practice!

Have also found that once you find a venue you dont mind traveling to there are nearly always schedules for other shows at the same venue, have you been to Towerlands at Braintree? That is a great venue, also many shows at Norton Heath, Blackmore not as great as Towerlands but still OK.

As for schedules there are a couple on at Ardingley coming up Horley & District is one entries close 28th July and there is an Austrailian Shepherd class for J, PG & Open. I entered online at http://www.horleyshowsociety.com

HTH Good Luck

Aah, some of us don't have this problem, we can go in either import register open, import register open ooh or maybe I'll try something different, I know import register open!!!!!! Now I have a puppy I'll be able to go into import register puppy or maybe nothing as there's not many show that have them:D

Yes, we like Braintree (Towerlands) - in fact the Piddles made their debut there on May Day- at just the 6 months! There were Aussie classes there as well, and they were the only 2 puppies. We are at Ardingley, and also at Uxbridge, for Aussies in August.

Our closest venue is Basildon - not that brilliant (a bit drafty!!:) ;) - but the shows there are usually well-run - and the fact that it is only 5 mins away makes up for a lot.

We've got some long haul ones in the next week though - we're doing Working & Pastoral at Chepstow on Sunday, then Peterborough on Wednesday/Thursday(?) can't remember - and then Builth Wells the following weekend - gluttons for punishment or what?? So - weather warning for all doing those Champ shows - IT WILL RAIN - THE PIDDLES ARE COMING!!! :D :D

Margot

Hi ya Margot

Our closest is prob Basildon too but have only been to one show there and that was avnsc, and our club show so we went. We also at Builth and Peterborough (on Wednesday) Ardingley on 20th and Bournmouth at some point aswell!! You promise rain for champ shows but we havent had a wet one yet even when it is forcast!!! (Except Bath on the way home!!)

We are however going all the way to Bedford for an open show only because their featured breed is the Vizsla!! Fools or what???

Good Luck and maybe see you around

Liz

Since we got the "Aussie Posse wagon", we've been brave & gone far away, splitting the costs with our friends who have Leos. So, we've been to Birmingham (rained), Edinburgh (poured), Southern Counties (drizzled, but we were stuck in wet weather rings), and Paignton (wet rain & mud - also wet weather ring).

So, its Chepstow on Sunday..... Peterborough Thursday.....Builth Wells Sunday (I think - it might be Saturday) - so out with the wellies!

We'll look out for you at Basildon tho next time - - ours are the "noisy aussies!"

Margot

I think not only might it be Saturday...but isn't it at Malvern too ;-)

(we are talking NW&PBS?)

Oh -oh - I knew I talked rubbish late at night on the computer after a couple of glasses of Chardonney - this just shows it!!

It's a good job that we actually manage to get the right dogs, to the right shows, entered in the right classes :D :D!

I'm the stay at home (or rather stay at work) today - so how are my babies doing at East of England??

They should be in & finished by now & no news!!

Margot