| STEWARDING TIPS by Susan Lowder I've been a steward for a LONG time now and I've found that a lot of times you get what you allow from exhibitors. Here is how I approach my job: My job, when I steward, is to: # 1. TAKE CARE OF MY JUDGE I get to my ring at least a 1/2 hr to 45 minutes before the ring is supposed to start. I walk it and look at the condition of the mats (look for distractions or loose tape) or for holes or hazards outdoors and make my judge aware of them when he/she arrives. (Look for sharp objects, ant/insect dens, etc.) I find out where my judge wants/prefers the exam table, if we are using one, and usually we check the table together to make sure it is safe and clean for the exhibits. I find out what my judge likes/wants to drink and try to have it available, when needed. (Coffee prepared how they like, water, coke, etc.) I ask how/where they want their dogs brought in to the ring. (Specials: catalog order or dogs in front, bitches behind?) I ask if they will take their entries late, and if so, how late? (Will they take one after the entire class has been examined? Do they want me to notify them of the late arrival, or just let them in?) I also ask about handler changes ... allowed? When/how during the class? I ask them if they want reported absences or no-show armbands before/after the class. (Some judges mark absences BEFORE they examine dogs.) I have my steward's book open to the class being judged and am ready to answer D.O.B. questions during bred-by exhibitor classes and puppy classes, should my judge ask me for it. I call his/her classes LOUD and CLEAR on time. I get the dogs in to the ring and check them off in my book as the judge allows them to enter (either in catalog or any order, whichever they've specified). I make it clear to ringside exhibitors, I'm serving my judge ... the class will get called and they will wait for me to get their armband after all the dogs are in the ring. (If they are in the class that I am calling, I get the other exhibitors in the ring FIRST, then I help them … it may call attention to their having been late, but it does not penalize those who were on time AND it allows the judge to begin marking in the class and get it started on time.) If I am working at a specialty where cuts or heats of dogs are being made/kept, I keep a notepad and write down the armband numbers of all eligible dogs to be recalled. NO ONE leaves the ring until I have their number ... period. No one gets back in the ring without one of those numbers, unless the judge clears it. I pull each the ribbons for the class that is being judged in the ring at the time and have them ready for my judge, with trophy cards if available. I put them where my judge directs me to ... either on the book, a designated area on the table, or under the book. I mark every class placement as the judge hands out his/her awards in the official steward's book for the ring. I make sure my book is marked "Ring ___" and that the book is handed in with any left over ribbons, walkie- talkies, etc. at the end of the day. I also mark in it any DQ or Excused dog and attempt to note why. I sign my book, just like a judge. Some Clubs let me take my book home at the end of a cluster and I keep it for up to a year. (I've had AKC call me and ask me about dismissed dogs, alleged incidents in rings, and even about a class that for some reason didn't get marked in a judge’s book later.) I do not allow anyone, other than exhibitors in the class at the time, to enter the ring. If the judge wants to visit with a spectator or exhibitor, they will invite them in the ring OR go outside the ring to do so between classes/breeds or during a break. The only exceptions would be the Superintendent taking sheets from the Judge’s Book OR the AKC Rep … both should have ID tags on. # 2. I TAKE CARE OF THE EXHIBITORS for the breeds which will be in my ring. I try to have the armbands grouped together by the breeds in the order in which they will be judged. (This is usually already done for us now by the superintendents but not always.) I check off which entries have picked up next to the armband number as it leaves. This enables me to have a rough idea of how many dogs will be there (for point counters and for handlers trying to time their rings). If I am calling a class and entrust the exhibitor to pull their own armbands from my stack, I insist they also check off which numbers they are taking ... I don't generally trust people I don't know or who are rude. I ask our judge (before judging starts for the day) when he/she would like to do pictures. Then, I try to let people know, when they ask, how long it will be before the judge can take pictures. I also call for our show photographer before the judge finishes judging the last class before our designated time so the photographer will be there and we can get the pictures done a.s.a.p. for all parties involved. I call the classes as LOUD and CLEAR as possible and on time. I tell the first exhibitor where the judge would like to have them start the line up. I check armband numbers as the exhibits come in the ring and will help an exhibitor change armbands, if necessary. I let the exhibitor know if the judge wants the dogs in catalog or any order ... or in breed catalog order or dogs in front, bitches behind. I will call out absent numbers one last time before I mark them absent and hand the numbers in to the judge to mark absent in his/her book. I write in my steward’s book, or on a small notepad, the armband number of each class winner and 2nd place in a box, so that I can call them each back to the ring for the winner’s class. (Keeps me from having to flip through the catalog to know who to call and in what order.) This helps us all get the dogs in the ring in the right order a.s.a.p. I will call for clean up or supply clean up materials, if given by the Club, for accidents in the ring. On occasion, I will clean up after a dog ... but, now that I'm older and a bit more set in my ways, usually I will volunteer to hold the exhibitor's dog for them while they clean up. I try to answer questions, as time allows, for ring-side exhibitors (what class is this? when are they being judged? etc.) **** I am a professional steward. I wear a name badge. I come dressed professionally. I usually carry 3 or 4 pens. I have at least a small packet of tissues or a tube of wet wipes. I am there to do a job, which helps drive the show. If my ring goes off on time and my judge stays on time (part of all this organizing keeps my judge on time) then the groups and BIS should stay on time. I do as my judge instructs me for handling late dogs and absentees as well as handler changes. I try to be polite and helpful, as time allows, to people ringside. I do not permit people to abuse my judge or me within my earshot. If I hear complaints, I will (and have on more than one occasion) suggest that I can call for an AKC Rep to come and address their concerns (as sweetly as I can, I usually add that Sportsmanship and Conduct ARE an essential part of dog shows, after all). (Haven't had anyone take me up on it yet.) I love stewarding. I've learned a lot about breeds I wouldn't ever meet otherwise. I've also been able to experience some really neat personalities with the judges I've served and had some fun at Clubs and met new friends with my Stewarding group. I also cannot say enough positive things about my Obedience Stewarding assignments. The exhibitors and judges both, in Obedience venues, really appreciate your work AND it's great fun to watch the human/canine teams work. Every now and then you get some sour apple but usually the days go by fairly quickly and smoothly. I wish I could do it more, but time doesn't allow for me to right now. Sorry to be so long here but these things have allowed me to do my job well and enjoy it. I'd like the same for others. Good stewards ARE appreciated ... although not always thanked. Hope this helps, Susan Lowder Downhome Harriers www.downhomeharriers.com downhomeharriers@yahoo.com Member, Dixie Professional Stewards http://www.dogshowstewards.com |
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