SHOW RECORD ERRORS

I can't always get out and see all the dogs in person, so it helps to check show results regularly to watch for consistency in wins and to note the parentage of consistent winners.  I recently found a blatant error and sent it to another list for discussion.  The error was that the Bred-by bitch was BOB/BIMISC and the open bitch was BOS.   Of course, that can't happen.  At this point it is unknown if it was a judges error or posting error.  The important thing is to get it corrected.  

Here are some of the comments and suggestions:

"It's amazing how often it happens and if you are a novice, you won't know better."   

"... exhibitors (handlers) can make mistakes too ..... wrong armband numbers also have occurred.  I lost out on a major this way."

"This is the primary reason the winners should stay to check the judges pages afterwards. ...To contest a mistake in the judge's book after it is recorded by AKC you have to send in the ribbons and a copy of the win (if you took one) picture. The AKC has to send a copy of the ribbons and the picture to the judge to confirm your protest. This whole process can take months depending on how busy the judge is and how fast they respond to AKC."  This poster's comment was from finding several errors.

"I also was awarded 2 points (many months later when my dog was already finished) because it turned out that the "bred-by-exhibitor" handler (also winners) in front of me was not the owner of the dog."  ... Another time I checked the Onofrio show results and saw they had another bitch marked as BOS, yet I had the ribbon. I contacted Onofrio, but it was a huge deal to try to fix it, so I let it go. This was a good reminder to check before leaving.

Be sure to keep all your ribbons.  If a person or dog is determined to be ineligible as in the above comments or it won from a puppy class and was aged out or any other mistake, if you were the Reserve winner, you will be contacted to return the reserve ribbon in exchange for the winners ribbon and the points.  If you hire a handler, you should make sure they or their help check the judges pages.

Some people keep all their ribbons in a box.  Some people get pictures, especially of major or important wins.  I, personally, keep a file drawer for the dogs and each one has his/her own folder.  All important ribbons go in there with a record of the show info. 

"These kinds of mistakes happen very very seldom. Still the best method is just stay awhile and check the judges pages when they are turned in. The pages are always on a table next to the superintendent on clipboards. Only takes a few seconds and you can leave the show without worry.  Majors are very difficult to find and win. If you lose a major because of a bookkeeping mistake you will never forget it and will always check the judges pages after that."

My thanks to the members of the list for allowing forwarding of their comments.  This is a very important part of exhibiting your dog.  If you wouldn't go to a show without a lead and brush, then don't leave the show until you've verified your wins.

Shirley Shannon