Saturday, June 2, 2012

Judge Changes

When a judge has to withdraw from an assignment, what do the clubs look at when hiring a replacement?
If it is a last minute thing (illness, family emergency, etc) then yes, they have to get whomever they can, and fast. But if it is a change made prior to the judging program being published, shouldn't they look at a few more factors?  One being "How many times has this judge judges this breed at our show over the past few years?"
Just a thought.  When a judge judges the same breed 3 out of 4 years, do I want to enter again next year under the published judges, only to find there has been a change to that judge again?  Even if it is a judge who one consistently wins under, then it gets to look suspicious anyway.  "We all KNOW who's going to win.  Right."  No fun for anyone after a while.  It doesn't bother some people, but unfortunately, I still have a conscience - most of the time.  Oh, I guess I could double and triple enter, just in case, like so many can afford to do, but I can't.  Yes we can get a refund on the entries for that day, but there are a lot of factors to consider.  Maybe the AKC should consider allowing the dogs that are affected by a judge change to enter a different show if it is less than one week prior to the show date?  Or maybe we should be able to withdraw all entries, regardless of breed, if they are entered with the same owner, or handler?  Wouldn't that throw everyone into a fit?
Have a fabulous day!