Being a Ring Steward.... any advice?

[Wonka & Nilla]

I volunteered to help out at the local kennel club's dog show this weekend and I thought I'd just be setting up tables or something, but they've asked me to be a Ring Steward. I know next to nothing about this! I've watched dog shows on TV and I've been around a couple of them (either demonstrating freestyle or just looking at the pugs), but I never paid very close attention and I never even noticed there was such a person as a ring steward!!!

They gave me a packet of information to read to help me prepare and they said I'd be paired with someone experienced, but I still feel like I'm in over my head.... all this "Winner's Dog," "Reserve," "Best of Opposite sex," etc... confusing!

So, for those of you who show dogs regularly.... any advice? What does a GOOD ring steward do? What have you found helpful when you need to communicate with a ring steward about anything?

[shaynapug]

Will you be in Mount Pleasant??? If so, will see you!!! Coming in Friday night!

You have to ask the judge how they want things done......Dogs in catalog order or not...

You give out arm bands when the people come up and ask for them...and then check them off in the book when they pick up. You call out the people that have not picked up at ring time to make sure. You get the ribbons ready for the judge to hand out.

It's a neat job! And I think you can get paid for it!

[Nilladakilla]

Yes, Mt. Pleasant. The local pug play group that we started is donating prizes for best of breed Saturday and Sunday. Gift baskets that Amy put together. Hopefully you'll be walking off with them. Who will you showing?

We'll have to try and get together for lunch or dinner while you're in the area.

[shaynapug]

I'd love it!!! I'm showing Stormy...who's gonna make me look bad cuz she fights the lead all the time...and Ben.

You can also meet Ben's 8 wk old daughter who'll be there!!! I'm so excited to see her!!!!

We're coming in Friday night. The people that have his daughter and will have more kids in a few weeks...say that there's a place with a good fish fry close by for dinner on Friday night.

Hopefully, I'll be winning those baskets...and having to stay the day or come back for Groups!

I'm excited about seeing you guys!!!!! How neat!

[Nilladakilla]

Friday night, we have plans and will be in Midland. We are looking forward to seeing Ben's daughter. Amy's hoping to steward the toys, but she's not sure yet where she will be. She did tell the guy in charge of the stewards that she would really like to steward the pugs, so hopefully she'll get to.

[shaynapug]

Maybe we can get together on Sat.....Am bringing my boys...Solo and Kelev will stay nice and comfy in the motel on Sat! Sunday.....if I win..they're gonna spend time at the show!

[Wally 'n' Leto]

No advice... but have fun!

[Snifter]

Fun! I agree you'd best confer with the judge about how they want things done.

In addition to what Diane has said the ring stewards here invite the next exhibitor up to stack their dog on the table as soon as the previous one has left the table and is moving the dog for the judge. Also the ring stewards here look for exhibitors who have entered the same dog in different classes because these dogs are usually kept at the back of the queue if they have already been seen in an earlier class and the judge usually doesn't bother going over them on the table again although they are usually asked to move. However things may be done very differently in the US so don't set too much store by my comments!

I guess the ring steward should probably also be prepared to pick up any poop that is deposited if the owners fail to do so (although it really should not happen that a dog potties in the ring I can assure you it has been known)

[Wonka & Nilla]

Diane, I'm so excited that we'll get to see you and Stormy and Ben!!!!!! I didn't bother asking if you were coming because I assumed it was too small of a show. We'll definitely have to get together for lunch or dinner on Saturday!

Yes, as hubby mentioned, I've requested the Toy ring, but I don't know yet if that's where I'll be. The guy in charge knows that our pug meetup group is donating a prize and that I want to see the pugs so he said he'd try and arrange it so I could be there. There are not very many pugs entered.... 6, I think?

Originally, Wonka and I were supposed to be doing a Canine Musical Freestyle demonstration on Saturday and that fell through (long, messy story) so that's why I volunteered to help out somewhere else at the show. I really hope that whoever I'm paired with knows what they are doing! It sounds like fun, but also a bit overwhelming.

[tall grass pugs]

inside or outside match----among other things you will hand out arm bands matching right number to right handler, documenting who won, lining up next class outside ring and so forth---comfy shoes, sunglasses, pens that work, patience of a saint, tact, and a dress that won't blow over your head, or comfy jeans that won't be overly hot