Hi,

I'm stewarding offically for the first time this Saturday at an Open show. I have only ever stewarded at Companion Shows, anybody have any tips? I believe I should have a stewarding book ( not sure what that is exactly ). Any advice or information would be much appreicated.

Many thanks :)

Is it at Slough (Reading DCS) on Saturday?
I'm showing there

If you log in to the KC website they have their guide for breed judges and ring stewards available for download.  This should give you all the info you need :)

Debs

Its very different from a companion show.  will you be on your own or with someone else?

You will have to hand the ring numbers out to exhibitors, a good tip if the society hasn't done so for you is before judging starts sort out all ring numbers to the relevant classes so you onlny take a small bunch with you to hand out rather then the whole lot for the breed.

Whilst judging is being done sort out the rosettes and place cards for the class and get them ready. 

Before judging ask the judge where they want dogs stood, if they want the next dog stood by/on the table whilst there looking at the current dog, do they want you to hand them there judges book and pen and pad before or after they place. 

You will have to fill in one or two catalouges and the stewards sheet, possibly also the last 3 colus of the judges book if the judge wants you too althought they MUST fil in the first colum and then check and sign what you have done.  Don't let them sign the book before judging the class but make sure it's signed after the class and after each breed take the slips from the judges book to the secretary unless the show has someone who will come round and collect them.

Can't think of anything more at the moment but I know when I first started doing open shows on my own (just one steward per ring) I just told the judge I was still new to it and they were all really helpful and kind :)

The stewarding book is a book you get so you can keep a record of when and where you have stewarded, you only need this really if you want to keep a record if you are wanting to give CC's in the near future.

Good luck, I'm sure you will enjoy it.  It's great fun at times but you have to be organised.  It will be nice if they put you with someone with alot of experiance as they can give you so many tips.  I have stewarded at open shows with stewards who regualry steward at crufts and other champshows and have learnt so many tips! :)

Hi,

Manys thanks for the advice, thats perfect! I'm really looking forward to it and I'm stewarding Beagles so will be nice to do my own breed. It is the Reading CS Open show.

Cheers :)

Don't forget to make sure that all the absentees are registered in the judges book.  There are some judges that will try to tell you not to bother recording the absentees but this is a KC requirement to ensure that that judges who are wishing to go on to give tickets etc have been over the required amount of dogs.  Stewarding for a BIS show judge a few weeks ago, the judge told my junior steward that he didn't require the absentees after we had done a few of the variety classes. Sorry, but they were still got recorded.

Enjoy and remember to wrap up warm if you are outside!
Can't remember if we are outside or in...Boxers normally are outside..

Still will have a look at the schedule nearer to saturday  :)

Check for any puppies in junior / graduate classes which can challenge for Best Puppy. Try to get the rosettes for the class and the numbers for the next class ready while the current class is running. Have fun! :-)

Sorry, I have one last question......?

Where can I buy a Stewards book? I looked on KC website and googled but couldn't find any, think I might be using the incorrect words to search under.

Many thanks :)

Try Our Dogs online shop they may have one.

Enjoy your stewarding!

Go to the KC site, click on ON-LINE SHOP, then BOOKS, then scroll down to STEWARDING RECORD BOOK.

Great, many thanks! :)