Reserve Best In Show…An Afterthought?
by Dr. Bob G. Smith
Several comments I have read in social media circles about the Reserve Best In Show have been very negative. Some have written: it is like “kissing your sister”, meaningless, lost in the shuffle of awarding BIS, superfluous. As the process is currently designed and implemented, I believe awarding RBIS is paramount to an “afterthought”. I will try to highlight my opinion in this article.
I hope that those feeling so negatively about the RBIS give the new award some time to reach a level of importance. I have read comments by the RBIS recipients that some have received satisfaction from the recognition. Some are touting the wins as the “first RBIS for xxxxx breed.” Others have asked about the lack of recognition by those left in the competition and the audience who appears to believe that the “important” recognition is over with when the Best In Show is awarded. If the RBIS award is here to stay and will be part of the permanent landscape of the dog show, how can show committees and/or AKC assure the participants and audience that the RBIS is considered a more valuable award than that which is portrayed by attendees at recent shows?
The change in AKC policy to establish the Reserve Best In Show recognition reads: “The club or association giving group classes must also give a RBIS, the winner to be chosen by the Best In Show judge from among those group class winners remaining in the ring, the winner to be entitled ‘Reserve Best In Show.’ No entry fee shall be charged but the remaining group winners must compete.” (AKC Secretary’s Page, July 2011)
Here is what is traditionally observed at an all-breed dog show during Best In Show competition. The judge examines each group winner, sometimes moving them individually or in a group, leaves the presence of the group winners to mark the judge’s book, returns with the requisite BIS rosette, sometimes with trophy presenter and maybe a club dignitary or two in tow. The moment arrives occasionally after a brief speech on the quality of the finalists whereupon the Best In Show judge points to the winner. The winner is anointed, congratulated, and then hustled off for pictures. It’s over!
If the above scenario plays out that way now that there is a Reserve Best In Show, the Reserve winner could be lost in the shuffle of the congratulations, well-wishes, and hullabaloo associated with awarding of Best In Show. Very anti-climactic in my humble opinion!
Why not take a lesson from beauty pageants and other competitions and award the Reserve Best In Show before the Best In Show is awarded? The handler and the RBIS winner would not get lost in the recognition of the eventual BIS winner; they receive their “moment in the sun,” receive their rosette and/or trophy, leave the ring and the audience then holds its collective breath awaiting the anointing of the BIS winner from the remaining Group winners. Where is the harm in awarding BIS after RBIS? Isn’t the BIS winner supposed to be recognized as the last “dog standing?”
Of course, my suggestion makes perfect sense to ME! The Reserve Best In Show winner gets appropriate recognition then leaves the ring. The judge then turns to a club member, is handed the Best In Show rosette, points to the BIS winner, “all hell breaks loose because of the tension” and the celebration begins. No winners are left out of the limelight! The Reserve Best In Show winner gets his moment in the sun/incandescent and/or dusty light fixture; then, the BIS winner is recognized, receives congratulations from the competition, thanks the judge, kisses are bestowed as appropriate… no one feels left out, no one ignored, no one slighted, no more time is added to the process. It is a simple change to a lackluster process that needs to be energized!
I like the concept of Reserve Best In Show. I like any recognition that a Dog/Owner/Breeder/ Handler can receive for hard work and money spent getting to the pinnacle of the BIS ring. Why have an award that is perceived as an “add-on?” Let’s do something to change this process for the better. Otherwise, the Reserve Best In Show will continue to be thought of by some as another “afterthought” from AKC.
I hope that if clubs like this idea, they will lobby the powers that be to consider making this change. I believe it will liven up the Reserve Best In Show awarding and add further anticipation to the Best In Show award.
Dr. Bob G Smith is a retired university professor and a judge of 16 sporting breeds and Junior Showmanship. He holds an earned Doctorate from The University of Alabama (Home of 2011 National Champions in football, Home of the 2012 National Champions in Women’s Softball, and Home of the 2012 National Champions in Women’s Golf). He solicits your suggestions, comments, and ideas. Dr. Smith can be reached at bobgsmith58@yahoo.com.
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on Sep 3 2012. Filed under Current Articles, Editorial, Featured.
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