Been to a Champ Show today, average of 24 in a class, the judge thinned out the class and then placed the dogs ( after deliberating for quite a while and moving them all again!) and then at the last second swapped the dogs placings! 1st limit went down to second and then again in the open class swapped 2nd and third round!
Has this ever happened to anybody and how did you feel?
I felt so sorry for the people who were exchanged, i think a judge should make sure before they place or tell exhibitors they are not placing yet before they make their decision. What do you think?

That scenario is common practice. It is prefectly acceptable to do this. I assume, it was before the place cards were given to the exhibitors. Of course it's disapointing but exhibitors know that until that place card is in their hand nothing is certain.

Dawn R.

This happened in Beardies at Crufts the year that the Potterdale bitch went BIS & to be honest the spectators were a disgrace Cheering & screaming when Classic was placed first from second(BTW we  knew she was getting BIS that year)& the noise was terrible Obviously pent up worries that she wouldsn't get BIS were released(& IMHO the second bitch was a better bitch especially in expression as she had correctly coloured eyes)

Yep leartrnt years ago to keep my exhibit showing until that place card is in my hand when I let a tired exhibit that had previously been in a stakes class relax and loose her topline :D

It's gutting whe you go down a place (happed to me this year) however the judge was still deciding.  I have noticed that judges recetly (past year or so) have been placing dogs in order and then sending them round on the circuit to look at movement again before deciding on final place! :)

This is why you are o show until the rossette is in your hand (IE whe you get pulled to your place you stad your dog again.) :)  Ifact many years ago, in junior handling, if you got a high place ad did't re stack your dog but the perso behind you did that might be enough to put you down a place! :)

But just as delightful if you go up a place!!!  Although poss. I think can make the judge look indecisive.

Happened at an open show to me once - but went from 4th to 3rd place - just before placing my boy would not stand for love nor money then in the line up he stood beautifully and the judge moved us up a place.

Not happened at a champ show to me - the only thing that did happen was a dog that beat me in one class was unplaced in the next class - didn't think it could happen but as someone said to me each class is judged in it's own right so as the dog didn't move or stack as well was unplaced?!

As they say it isn't over until the fat lady sings or you get your card/rossette and don't take anything for granted!

Seems mean I know, but as others have said it's not finished until you're handed the card and the results are announced. I've seen my friend's bitch placed 2nd, then she had a silly turn (the dog, not my friend!) and end up 4th instead, which must have felt awful. :-( But alas the judge is within their rights to make last minute placement changes.

I've had it where I was initially placed 5th. The judged moved us all again and I was moved up to 4th. He looked again, moved again and I was moved up to 3rd. I often wonder if he had moved us again a couple more times do you think I might have made it to 1st? ;)

You will never know will you!  Just maybe!! :)