JUDGES AND JUDGING.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 320, 24 December 1929, Page 3

JUDGES AND JUDGING .

RESPONSIBILITY OF SHOW SOCIETIES. Under the signature of “ L.H." there appears in Thornton’s Quarterly Journal (London) for October an article upon judges and judging, and

the writer tells us that temperament enters very largely into the matter of judging. The man with little more than a superficial knowledge of stock and yet who enters the ring with confidence and assurance is less likely to make mistakes than he with a far wider knowledge, but who is so overwhelmed with self-con-sciousness and nerves that he is quite unable to give effect to the talent be possesses. Then “L.H.” continues: Confidence comes with experience; and a young fellow with a natural eye for stock who aspires to become a sound judge need not be discouraged through attacks of stage fright at his first show or two.

He should not fly too high, however, in his early days. Let him graduate for higher and more important work by first of all, judging at a few district shows where the consequences of any possible errors are not so serious, gradually working up from there, through more important local shows, to the county mectin this way gaining the necessary experience and confidence which will ultimately qualify him to undertake the much more onerous duties of a judge at our big national shows. As it is a general practice nowadays for each breed society to have its own list of selected judges from which show committees are asked to make their choice, the responsibility for faulty judging must primarily rest with the breed society concerned. The greatest care should be taken to ensure that no man should appear on the judges’ list unless fully qualified to do so. It is a delicate responsibility, but one which, if undertaken at all, should be tackled thoroughly and fearlessly, without undue squeamishness for the susceptibilities of the candidates under consideration. Judges’ lists should be, and no doubt are, subject to constant and very careful revision; and, for the credit of the breed concerned, no member should appear thereon whose efficiency is for one moment doubted.

No sympathy need be wasted on the man who, in his own mind, knows that he is incapable and yet for the sake of what little “ kudos ” it may bring him, allows his name to be put on the list.

The knowledgeable, hard-working, painstaking judge who enters into his task with full realisation of its responsibilities and honestly endeavours to place the exhibits as he thinks they should be placed, is worthy of more recognition than is often afforded him either by exhibitors or from the ringside. Unanimous agreement with his findings canncz be expected in all cases. Opinions differ and merit may be so equally divided between two or three animals that the final placings may rest merely on a matter of opinion.