Jim Reynolds – Remembering One Of The Greats

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100 – November/December, 2024

By Amy Fernandez

Westminster 2006 was true to form in terms of surprises. A few shocks at every level of competition are the Westminster tradition. However, that particular year stands out for a couple reasons. Jim Reynolds, that year’s Best In Show judge, was no stranger to Westminster. He had judged there on ten occasions beginning in 1983. He was also among the few, confident judges who didn’t shy away from controversy. Tom Bradley III, Westminster’s show chairman for 17 years, described Jim as his “go-to guy” in an emergency. “He was always on tap to take over and fill in. He always drew a good entry, was popular both in Canada and the US and, frankly, I think he was even more popular in the US.” As we know, unexpected judge changes are another Westminster tradition. Usually, that’s due to the weather, but throughout its history those unforeseen absences has run the gamut from a NYC ferry strike to the bombing of the Lusitania. Stuff happens and a reliable, popular judge is priceless at those times.

Jim Reynolds was first approved to judge in 1967. Over the course of his long judging career, he was invited to preside at major shows on five continents. Possibly more significant, he judged over 60 National Specialties. The real story of purebred evolution happens at the breed level and all those assignments illustrate the sport’s level of respect for his opinions. Tom adds, “He loved judging Nationals because he could find dogs that the breed needed.” Of course, no assignment is more high profile than Westminster.

Click here to read the complete article
100 – November/December, 2024

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