Beagle Field Trial Judge's Responsibility
by Jim Odle - Executive Staff-Field
The hounds performances and the field trial judge's evaluation of those performances are the highlights of any AKC Licensed field trial. The very essence of the event affords hounds the opportunity to win or place in a competitive arena obtaining wins and points toward championship status. The future of the sport is vested in the judges and their responsibilities relative to the their evaluation of the hounds performances at the event. The colossal focus of all participants at any field trial is the hound's performances and the judge's evaluation thereof. The American Kennel Club requires that clubs advertise all judges for all classes for the event. Competitors enter hounds, in many instances; based on the advertised judges for the class(s) they intend to enter their hounds. The vast majority of judges takes their job very seriously, even though it is a fun and an enjoyable event, and do an outstanding job. Judges judge for the love of the sport and appreciation for good hounds. For the most part the only compensation judges receive is the appreciation for good hounds and the appreciation and recognition shown by their fellow beaglers. If not for the love of the sport of beagling by well-respected and honest judges the sport would suffer greatly.
Clubs should require all judges, prior to judging any class, to sign an American Kennel Club Judge's Affirmation Form. ( Affirmation= The act of affirming) Chapter 5, Section 3 of the Beagle Field Trial Rules requires this. Preferably this should be done well in advance of the field trial date. Should the judge not be local the form may be mailed to him/her with a SASE for the judge's convenience in returning the form. The judge should sign and return the form promptly. The Field Trial Secretary should maintain these signed forms on file until the conclusion of the event and submit them to AKC along with the field trials secretary's report. When completed the form serves as an employer/employee contract between the Field Trial Committee and the judge. While visiting field trials AKC Field Representatives routinely ask to see the forms. When they are not available for inspection it is very embarrassing on the club management.
Judges should report to work on time ready, willing and able to judge their advertised class. Rarely, but occasionally, an advertised judge does not arrive at the designated club for his/her assignment. Of course it is understandable in case of unforeseen emergencies, ie work schedule, weddings, illness and funerals. In such cases the judge's responsibility is to contact the club as soon as possible informing the club of the judge's inability to fulfill the assignment. A simple phone call to the contact person, email message or a note by regular mail will suffice. Clubs are very understanding and appreciative of the notice. This notice allows the club ample time to make arrangements for a substitute judge. When a judge does not notify the club of his/her planned absence and does not show up for work the judge is classified as a "no show-no call" and should be so reported in the field trial secretary's report. A substitute judge must be appointed and announced prior to the closing of the class. Sometimes this must be done on a very short notice. A "no show-no call" judge, when properly reported, will receive a letter of warning form the American Kennel Club pointing out the shortcoming. Should a judge be classified as a "no show-no call" two or more times in one year the judge will be removed from the approved judges list and the judge will be required to attend a Beagle Field Trials Rules Seminar before being approved to judge another event.
Adherence to these rules and procedures makes for a well managed event, will be greatly appreciated by the affected clubs and the sport of beagling in general.
