Can anyone please explain what these consist of. A friend is interested in attending one, but is not very confident and if there is an exam she doesn't want to come. The speaker is Dr Ruth Barbour if that makes any difference.

Did all mine under Christina Chapman who makes everything fun but they are not difficult only common sense.

There are 3 altogether, Conformation and movement, Hands on and Requirements of a Dog Show Judge.

Requirements of a Dog Show Judge is a lecture followed by a paper that only requires you to tick the correct answer, not difficult at all if you are interested in dogs and have listened to the lecture.

Conformation and movement is a lecture that just required your participation no written paper.

Hands on requires you to go over a dog and they are looking for the way you handle this and the care you take with the dog, they may also ask you to point to different parts of the dog, no writing. (you do not have to say what you found and it may be a breed you do not know)

Hope that is still correct it is over 10 years since I started on this route.

I'm no good in a test situation but the dog judging test is really easy and more common sense than anything else.  Haven't done the others yet.

Agree perrodeagua, you would have to have no interest in dogs at all to fail it is just ticking what you have known for years that has been bought to the forefront by the lecture. And if you do have a fit of nerves you can take it again it is not held against you, think these are more to make sure people are really interested in judging dogs and not just adding a notch to their kennel door, so to speak.

Sorry, think you are talking of the Hands on, that is no problem at all, just treat the exhibit with respect and you will get through.

I went along to a Conformation and Movement seminar by Christina Chapman and it was one of the best nights out I've had for years. You can draw two conclusions from that: yes, I am a saddo and the evening really was that great! I only started showing my dogs just over a year ago and the seminar helped me to understand so much more about the way I need to move my dogs, what I am seeing in the ring when I watch other handlers and their dogs and what causes certain types of movement. I almost ducked out of the Hands On Assessment because I am not planning to judge dogs, but was persuaded at the last minute, again to improve my own understanding. I was anything but confident and I definitely recommend going along. I'm hoping to do a breed specific seminar as well as the last of the trio this year...can't wait!

I went along to a Conformation and Movement seminar by Christina Chapman

Yes, she really is first class as a lecturer not only does she know her stuff she makes it so entertaining. Would advise anyone to go along just for a good and informative few hours no need to take the tests but you may well want to once you have got into the spirit of it all.

Never been under Christina as a judge but I would be surprised if even that did not prove to be more than the usual amount of fun as well.

not only does she know her stuff she makes it so entertaining

LOL--this seminar started at 7pm and finished at midnight. There were a good 40 people, in the room of all ages and no one left early--not many trainers can say that about their courses! I won't spoil the fun, but let's say when it came to movement it was quite interactive--lots of laughs all round but making serious points about the impact of anatomy on movement.

Thanks for your replies, it doesn't sound too bad then. I think I managed to put my friend off as I dragged her along to a breed specific seminar not knowing there was a written paper, then we had to go over a dog and give the assessor a verbal critique, followed by a written one. It was really good and she managed to pass, but she still jokes that she was traumatised for weeks.

She's certainly a character at her seminars.  Well my breeds being judged in September by her at the Club show so will tell you what she's like on that front LOL :)

i did mine back in january couldnt sleep night before due to nerves but it was great.