Learning all the Moving Parts: TheSuperintendent
BYALLANREZNIK continued
if they’re experiencing a problem. And be aware of, and adhere to, the AKC and superintendent dead- lines. “Exhibitors should also be familiar with AKC rules and policies. They should carefully check over their entry information before they submit it, and submit their entries in a timely fashion, no matter what method they use (postal mail, phone, online),” adds Christiansen. “Waiting until 11:55 a.m. to attempt to enter for a noon closing isn’t the best idea. Be sure your information is correct on your entry form.” Finally, Christiansen cautions both clubs and exhibitors that “just because you sent it doesn’t mean we received it. Problems occur in postal mail (we’ve received mailed items anywhere from a day to three weeks to a year after a deadline, or we never received it at all) as well as email (sent to the wrong email address, or a typo in the email address that makes it undeliverable).” n
specify the division (previously if the division was not included we had to return it). It was a superin- tendent who began online posting, real-time post- ing and transmission of results to the AKC (MB-F). It was superintendents who made it possible to be able to change a dog from a class for which it was ineligible to the Open class, which allowed the dog to be exhibited (DSSA). 5. Many exhibitors believe we choose the judges— especially if there is a change the day of the show. This is solely a club decision. If they were notified a day or two before their event a club will usually have an idea of what they may want to do and may have already contacted a replacement; sometimes, if they’ve just been notified that morning, they may ask us for suggestions; but it’s their decision. Once they’ve made the decision it’s our job to try to make the judging program work in the best way possible. 6. There is the misperception that we are not writ- ing judging schedules efficiently. In recent years, with the addition of special attraction groups (e.g. Owner-Handler, Puppy, Bred-by-Exhibitor, etc.), shows are typically running one to 1.5 hours longer. Numerous variables affect the schedule, such as AKC Best Practice Policies, the number of rings available, the number of judges, concurrent special- ty and group club events, and added special requests for rings and times. Our software specifi- cally computes judging times to the minute in accor- dance with all these variables. We calculate and publish a group order in every judging schedule and it rarely varies. In almost every case where there is a variance it is due to a judge falling behind for some reason (exhibitors switching dogs, some incident in the ring, the previous judge in the ring running late, etc.), a last-minute judge change or some other unforeseen circumstance. Superintendents are the first to arrive at the show and the last to leave. Our goal is always to schedule the show to finish as efficiently as possible. Christiansen commends show chairs who, for the most part, he says are very experienced and have worked closely with superintendents for many years. “Even new show chairs, who may rely more on us their first year, are typically experienced exhibitors and have interacted with us in that capac- ity as well. They should always feel comfortable asking questions and always remember that our goal is to help them have the best event possible.” How could exhibitors and clubs work more effec- tively with show superintendents? “Clubs should be familiar with AKC rules and policies and our con- tracts, to better understand our responsibilities,” says Christiansen. “Let us know as soon as possible
For more than four decades, Allan Reznik has been immersed in the world of purebred dogs: as a breed- er, exhibitor, award-winning journalist, editor, broadcaster and occasional judge. He has been the Editor-in-Chief of multiple show dog publications, all of which have won national magazine awards from the Dog Writers Association of America while under his stewardship. In 2011, he won the presti- gious Arthur F. Jones Award for Best Editorial Column of the Year, given by the Alliance of Purebred Dog Writers. Allan appears regularly on national TV and radio discussing all aspects of responsible dog ownership and is quoted widely in newspapers and magazines. He has successfully bred and exhibited Afghan Hounds, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Tibetan Spaniels, and current- ly serves on the Board of Directors of the Afghan Hound Club of America and the Tibetan Spaniel Club of America. He is a proud member of the Morris & Essex Kennel Club, the Western Hound Association of Southern California, the Gateway Hound Club of St. Louis (charter member) and his two local all-breed kennel clubs. Photo: Julie Lynn Mueller
60 • S how S ight M agazine , S eptember 2017
Powered by FlippingBook