IMHO – AKC Reps Turned Judges

By Elaine Lessig

We asked experienced AKC judges two questions about current issues affecting our sport. Here’s what they had to say...

Have the tables turned? Does the grass look greener on the other side of the ring gates? Here is a chance to discover how three well-respected former American Kennel Club Executive Conformation Field Representatives describe their transitions and how they are making their marks now that they are judging again. Thank you to Delores Burkholder, Sydney Good, and Linda Hurlebaus for their honest and insightful thoughts.

SYDNEY GOOD
AKC JUDGE AND RETIRED AKC FIELD REPRESENTATIVE

What has been the most unexpected aspect of your return to judging and tell us why?

For me the most unexpected aspect is that judging inside the ring is far different than from the ringside for a variety of reasons. Mainly, it is the pressure of doing the right thing and being true to myself. too. Also, with the special attraction competitions that are held now, there is more of a time pressure. Those competitions, like Best Puppy and Best of Breed Owner Handler, take extra time at the end of a breed and are not figured into the 25 dogs an hour as scheduled. Oh, and never mind having time for pictures, too!

Share how your years of experience as an American Kennel Club Field Representative influences your judging?

The biggest influence is the little voice in my head that reminds me what I told judges regarding following procedure and making decisions. As a Rep, indecision was one of the most unsettling things to observe. It gives the appearance of not knowing what a person is doing. As Langdon Skarda said years ago, “make your mistakes quickly “. One of the other things my little voice reminds me of is to be pleasant to exhibitors and their dogs, too. More complaints were received because of a judge being rude or impatient with the exhibitor and/or the dog. Incompetence was forgiven, but rudeness, not!

Click the link below to read more from DELORES BURKHOLDER (AKC JUDGE AND RETIRED AKC FIELD REPRESENTATIVE), and LINDA HURLEBAUS (AKC JUDGE AND RETIRED AKC FIELD REPRESENTATIVE)!

Short URL: http://caninechronicle.com/?p=166692

Posted by Alex on Jul 22 2019. Filed under Current Articles, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.