How come the shows have reserve and vhc for fourth and fifth?  I went upto a woman on Sunday and congratulated her on getting a reserve because i though it was runner up to the dog what was placed first only to find out that it's fourth place.  Why isn't it first, second, third, fourth and fifth.

Warm regard Susan

Just to confuse us!!! I've often thought it's weird that Reserve in a class is 4th, but Reserve BOB or BIS is 2nd!!  :-)

Ok
the only places at show are 1st 2nd and 3rd.  Reserve (4th) is awarded only to count if either 1st 2nd or 3rd are disqualified, then res moves up into a place.
Hence if you with hold 1st 2nd and 3rd in a class you cannot award reserve because he is not reserve to anything.

VHC is to allow the judge in big classes to acknowledge an exhibit with merit.

Hope thats clear... :-)

Sharon

It's the same in many other animals as well, such as in hamsters. You even can go down to HC and C, below the VHC.

Marianne

Yes, the Cavalier club shows sometimes have HC and C awarded, and I think some of the Crufts classes did too though I can't remember for sure. I still agree that the terminology is confusing though! :-)

At a lot of shows it is 4th and 5th.  :D

At Crufts they do go down to 7 places in the Open classes (i.e. HC and C).

Ah, thought I remembered seeing HC and C somewhere there! Thanks.  :-)