16 Stewarding
Description
This article is from the Obedience Trials, by Cindy Tittle Moore with numerous contributions by others.
16 Stewarding
From: cdm@inel.gov
As one who LIKES stewarding, here's my thoughts on the matter:
1. Expect to have the opportunity to learn A LOT.
2. Possibly expect to get chastised if you aren't paying attention,
especially if it becomes a habit. Most judges I've stewarded for
are pretty forgiving, especially if you're usually there for them.
3. The job isn't terribly difficult, but you have to pay attention.
Remember that you can contribute to the ring running smoothly or
you can hold it up, depending on how seriously you take the job.
4. Hopefully, you've had some sort of training as to what to do.
5. BE AT THE RING EARLY. I like to be there at LEAST 1/2 hour before
judging is to start.
6. Ask the judge for special instructions. Usually, they will tell
you things like:
+ where each team should be positioned when they enter the
ring.
+ where to place the gloves on the DR.
+ where to stand for the figure 8.
+ where to stand during group exercises.
+ when and where they want things like dumbbells and articles.
+ Lots of other things are likely to come up. Every judge does
something a little different than everyone else.
7. Expect to make mistakes at first, but remember that after the
first couple of teams in each class things will smooth out. Every
judge I've worked with has been more than forgiving of these
initial mistakes.
8. Try to think ahead. What will the judge want me to do next?
9. Smile a lot.
10. Expect some nasty exhibitors, but most are nice. Treat the nasty
ones politely anyway. You might turn 'em around.
11. Think from the perspective of the exhibitors. What would you like
to have from the stewards? There isn't a whole lot you can do
here, but I always make a few passes over the ring during the day
to look for things that could distract the dogs (food, leaves,
hairballs, candy wrappers, etc.) and remove them.
12. Bite your tongue. Don't make comments that could make someone feel
bad.
I'm sure there's more, but this is it offhand. Remember, HAVE FUN!
It's a good feeling at the end of the day to know you've contributed
to a successful show.
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