by Kerry Webster » Sun 18 Jul 2004 8:40 pm
Along the same lines as those expressed by Kirsty, is what seems to be becoming a common practise here in W.A..
Several clubs here, allow dogs to attempt all runs, after being "no scored"/"eliminated" from the competition. This in itself is wonderful, as it encourages dogs and handlers alike to keep coming back, and also gives them a certain degree of confidence, and, an opportunity to run their dog/s to achieve retrieves and gives them value for money.
Several times over the past two seasons I have noticed that some judges are marking scoresheets for these "eliminated" dogs in the successive runs. Does this create an issue ?? No, not usually, as most retrieving people are polite, but, I do not condone the practise of marking on a scoresheet the "no score" dogs, then giving the results of these dogs at the presentations.
Often, a dog which has failed its first run, will do a good second or third run, often with a score topping the dogs that eventually are placed.
When presentations are made here, scores for each run are announced. When the dogs who have finished the complete trial of 3 or 4 runs, are then knocked off their pedestal by an eliminated dog achieving a higher score in a run that they weren't even eligible to do, and, this is announced as such, it is demeaning to those dogs that have picked up ALL the birds.
If judges do score eliminated dogs on subsequent runs, then these scores could be made available privately, if the handler wished to know them, otherwise, put the scoresheet away, and let them do the run, but without judgement, and let the real placegetters who actually finish the trial, have the glory.
The best dog on the day is the one that has picked up all the birds, and has the highest score, not a dog that has gone out on the first or second runs, regardless of how well the subsequent runs were performed. Lets give credit where it is due, instead of the "what may have beens".
Although I have always supported letting "no score" competitors have the experience of running where possible, these dogs have already proven they are not up to the standard required on the day, so on my judges sheet, they would not be scored, and no insult would be inflicted on those that finish the trial .
Kerry
My goal in life is to become as wonderful as my dog thinks I am.