A clerk at a show is a volunteer who assists the judge during the judging.
In the image, it is the person in the background with the pencil and yellow sheets of paper.
In an ARBA sanctioned rabbit show, it is essential that records are kept of all rabbits entered, and of the results of the judging. At the end of the show, the Show Secretary must compile all the results and submit them to ARBA.
The clerk will typically do the following things:
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Get the next set of judging sheets from the Show Secretary.
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Call up the breeds and classes when the judge is ready.
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Make sure the rabbits go in the holes in the correct order.
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Record the judge’s decisions on the judging sheets.
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Hand the completed judging sheets to the Show Secretary when the judging of that group is complete.
The Judging Sheets
Here we have an example of a judging sheet, filled in with the entries for this class.
If there are multiple shows happening at the same time (as in a Double or Triple Show), these sheets are often printed on coloured paper using a different colour for each show. This helps in keeping the shows from getting mixed up.
Each class is printed on a separate sheet of paper.
There is a typical hierarchy for the order:
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Breed, such as: Mini Rex, English Lop, Harlequin, etc.
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Variety. Often this is the colour, such as Black or White, but can also include a number of colours, such as Otter, or Solid. Each breed has a specific set of accepted varieties, which can be found in the Standard of Perfection.
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Class: each has specific weight requirements, depending on breed
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in a 4-class breed, this will be either Junior (under 6 months) or Senior (6 mo. or over)
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in a 6-class breed, this will be Junior (under 6 mo.), Intermediate (6-8 months), or Senior (8 mo or over)
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Sex: either Buck or Doe
As you can see in the sample, this sheet is for Dutch rabbits: Black Junior Does.
There are 13 entered altogether.
This sample also has Coop #’s listed, implying it is a cooped show. If it is a carrying cage show, then that column will be blank.
Getting the Rabbits to the Table
NOTE: It is the EXHIBITOR’S responsibility to get their rabbits up to the table when called.
The order of judging for the breeds as well as the number of entries in each breed will usually be posted near the judging tables on the day of the show, so you can often get a pretty good idea of when your breed is going to be called up.
If the number of entries for a particular breed is small, then all classes and varieties may be called up to the judging table at the same time. They will normally be put into the holes in the roughly same order as on the judging sheets, and the varieties will go in alphabetical order. The clerk (that’s you) will place the judging sheet for one class on top of the first hole for that class, and then leave enough spaces for all the rabbits in that class. They will then place the next judging sheet above the next hole, and so on. The sheets are normally placed so that the exhibitors can read them, so they can see where to put their rabbits.
The order of the rabbits in the same class doesn’t matter. We just need to make sure that all of the rabbits competing in that one class are together for the judge.
If the entries for a particular breed is larger than will fit on the judging table at the same time, then it will be called up in smaller groups. There are 13 rabbits in the sample judging sheet, so it is possible that only the Black Junior Does will be called up for this round.
In the image, you can see the green judging sheets on top of the holes. Note the gap – that is because there are 3 rabbits in that one class, and only one of each class in the others.
The next image has the sheets on the judging side of the table, ready for the judging to begin.
Scratches
Occasionally, you will find a rabbit crossed out on the judging sheet. The comment should say “SCRATCH”. This means that the exhibitor has decided (some time after the entry deadline) not to show that rabbit. There can be any number of reasons for this – maybe they forgot to bring it, or maybe it broke a toenail. The reason does not have to be recorded; only that it was scratched.
Sometimes an exhibitor will decide to scratch an entry on the day of the show. That’s OK too. Your job as clerk is to make sure that all of the rabbits on the judging sheet are accounted for.
In our example, the clerk would have counted only 12 Black Dutch Junior Does and then asked the exhibitors which one was scratched. Once you find out which rabbit is not there, cross it off on the judging sheet with a note (see image later).
Recording the Judge’s Decisions
Most judges are VERY willing to help explain things to the clerk if they are unsure about something, so don’t hesitate to ask!
The judges do what they do because they love rabbits and the fancy, and most also love helping new people learn – no matter how young!
The judge will normally go over all of the rabbits in the one class before making a decision.
As a clerk, what you need to do right now is just pay attention.
DQs
Sometimes the judge will notice something about a particular rabbit that disqualifies it from competition. It could be over- or under-weight for its class; it could have a colour fault; it could have been mistakenly entered in the wrong class. The ARBA SoP lists all general disqualifications as well as all of the breed-specific ones. Most judges keep a copy of the SoP handy while they judge and will refer to it whenever they want to double check something.
If the judge decides to disqualify an animal, they will let you – the clerk – know. At that point you will need to verify the ear number. Find that rabbit on your list, mark it as a DQ, and write a brief explanation. There are a few examples on the filled in judging sheet below.
Placements
Once the judge has made their decisions, they will let you know. Get the judging sheet and your pen or pencil handy.
The judge will often make some general comments about the rabbits, what they especially liked, and didn’t like, for example. If you have the time, you can make a few notes on the judging sheet about what the judge said, but this is not necessary.
What IS necessary is to record every placement and award. Some judges will place every single rabbit in the class from last to 1st, while others start with the 5th or 4th placing rabbit. In the example, the judge started with the 5th place winner.
The judge will usually take the rabbit out of it’s hole, and read out the ear number for you to look up on the judging sheet. Sometimes, tattoos aren’t very clear and you may have to figure it out together with the judge. That’s OK.
It is more important to get it right than to do it fast.
If you’re not sure whether you have matched the rabbit to the sheet – let the judge help you. You will get better at it with time!
The judge will then move on to the next one up the line, until they get to the 1st place winner of that class.
If there are more classes in the same variety or breed, you will have to hang on to that sheet a bit longer. Sometimes, you will only have one entry in a given variety – like only ONE Black Rex, for example. In that case, provided that rabbit wins 1st in its class 1) it will also win Best of Variety (BoV).
You should write that on the sheet as well.
If there are other classes to judge, only the 1st place winner will stay on the judging table, and all the rest can go back into their carrying cages or coops.
The other classes will then get judged in the same way until all are done. Let’s say there were entries in all 4 Black Dutch classes: Sr. Buck, Jr. Buck, Sr. Doe, and Jr. Doe.
By the time that is done, there will be 4 rabbits left on the judging table, and you will have 4 judging sheets (plus possibly a sheet where you can record the major wins for the entire breed). When the judge makes their decision for Best of Variety(BOV), they will choose one of the rabbits of the opposite sex to win Best of Variety, Opposite Sex (BOSV).
Write these awards down next to the correct rabbits on the judging sheets and also on the award sheet if you have one. The BOV and BOSV will normally remain on the table until all varieties of the entire breed have been judged.
The judge will then do the next variety in the same way, and eventually you will have a BOV and possibly BOSV for each variety in the breed. All of those animals need to be up on the table again for the next step. The judge will now check them all again to choose a Best of Breed (BOB) and if there is one, a Best of Breed, Opposite Sex (BOSB). Those wins need to be recorded on the sheets as well. Those are the ones who will need to come back one more time for the Best in Show judging. All the others are done for the day.
THERE IS NO RUSH HERE.
If you are new to clerking, let the judge (or a show committee member) show you what to do.
So, if you have read this far, CONGRATULATIONS!
Now that NO-ONE will think badly of you or judge you if you get mixed up or if you ask the judge to help you. (Remember, YOU are not the one being judged here. )
Everyone once started off where you are now. We’re all routing for you and hoping you will come to love rabbit shows as much as we do!
Clerking is a GREAT way to learn more about rabbits and showing.
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