Showing Judge - How to become one?

[miss_molly]

How do people become a showing judge?

Im thinking local unaffiliated shows, not big shows or societies.

Those of you who do judge how did you get started?
Those of you who compete what qualifications / experience do you expect judges to have?

Thanks

 

[cbmcts]

Join your local RC if they hold shows

Then volunteer for the show committee,or to steward (they'll bite your hand off ) and in no time you'll be asked to judge!

As far as the standards of judging at some local shows - well, if they have 20:20 vision that's a good start...only joking.

Having judged at local/RC shows I do sympathise with the average judge. You are expected to be able to expertly judge everything from LR to inhand coloured despite having told the organisers your experience or lack of it in certain classes. All for lunch and if you are very, very lucky petrol money and no doubt some stroppiness from a competitor because they can't understand why they didn't win.

The one class I will do anything to avoid is LR - some of those parents are scary

Despite that, I do enjoy it most of the time and seem to be gaining a reputation as a 'strict' judge especially on manners and turnout. I always knew I'd turn into my old DC as soon as I turned 40