I found this on Facebook and think it's a great read.

Hey, Field Trial People! What Is Going On With Our Judging and Gallery Etiquette?
(Sent to me anonymously for submission. Comments welcome.)

I don't care whether it's a horseback field trial, walking field trial, or hunt test, regardless of breed. I think it's time we had a serious conversation about judging, fairness, and proper gallery etiquette in the bird dog world.

I understand that finding qualified judges has become increasingly difficult with the decline in field trial participation. But when did judging become more about WHO is running the dog rather than HOW the dog actually performs?

I've witnessed far too many inconsistencies in placements at trials across the country. I'm certainly not saying every judge is guilty of this. There are many excellent, knowledgeable, and fair judges whom I respect tremendously. And yes, some performances are so close that the final decision can understandably go either way.

But there are other times when you have to wonder what the judges were watching!

**Judging the Dog, Not the Friendship**

When you accept a judging assignment, you have a responsibility to know the rules, understand the standards of the stake, and evaluate each dog's performance fairly. That includes bird work, application, handling, manners, race, and overall performance.

Here's my question: Are you there to judge your best friend's dog, or are you there to judge the best dog?

I don't care if you've known a handler for 30 years, trained dogs together, traveled together, or if that person organized the trial or provided the grounds. None of that should influence a placement.

If your best friend's dog gives the best performance, reward it! But if another dog clearly outperforms it, that dog deserves the recognition. The same applies to someone you may not personally like.

**Judging is subjective, but that doesn't mean it should be biased.**

Personal relationships, favoritism, and obligations should never outweigh what actually happens on the ground.

**Training on Trial Grounds**

Here's another concern. When certain individuals regularly train on the same grounds where trials are held, they naturally become familiar with the terrain, course, objectives, and potentially where birds are commonly planted.

I'm not saying those individuals shouldn't compete, but why not change things up occasionally?

Change the course when practical. Plant birds in different locations. Give the dogs an opportunity to demonstrate their natural abilities, intelligence, bird-finding skills, and adaptability rather than relying on familiarity with the grounds.

Obviously, everything should remain safe, appropriate for the stake, and within the rules.

Let's make it a fair test and see which dog truly performs the best.

**Gallery Etiquette and Respect for the Judges**

This is something that absolutely drives me crazy, and I've witnessed it far too often.

**No one should be carrying on conversations with judges while they are actively judging a brace.**

I don't care if you're a marshal, trial chairman, club member, professional handler, amateur, or personal friend of the judges.

Unless there's a safety concern or something essential to conducting the brace, leave the judges alone!

There is absolutely nothing wrong with visiting with judges before a brace, between braces, or after a brace has been completed. But while dogs are running, their attention should be on the dogs.

Every second matters. A distraction could cause a judge to miss important bird work, a handling situation, a fault, or an outstanding performance.

And to those individuals who insist on riding right alongside the judges, commenting loudly about dogs, pointing out faults, or making remarks clearly intended for the judges to hear, what exactly are you trying to accomplish?

How would you like someone doing that while your dog was running?

I've witnessed certain individuals repeatedly engaging in this behavior, and frankly, I'm tired of it. Don't be surprised when someone finally calls you out.

Marshals have an important responsibility to help keep the trial running smoothly, direct the course, and assist when necessary. That doesn't mean riding alongside the judges throughout an entire brace carrying on unnecessary conversations.

And gallery members, give the judges some distance. Keep your conversations quiet and let them concentrate.

**The gallery should never influence the outcome of a stake.**

We should be encouraging one another, helping handlers when appropriate, and demonstrating good sportsmanship, not trying to make another dog look bad to benefit our own.

**Where Do We Go From Here?**

We all invest tremendous amounts of time, money, and effort into training, conditioning, traveling, and competing with our dogs. The least we should expect is a fair evaluation based on the performance of the dog and the standards of the stake.

If we want this sport to survive and attract new participants, we need knowledgeable judges, consistent standards, integrity, and respect for everyone competing.

Judges, pay attention to the dogs and leave personal relationships out of your decisions. Gallery members, respect the judges' space and allow them to do their jobs. Marshals and trial organizers, help maintain a fair and professional environment.

I'm not asking for my dog, your dog, or anybody's friend's dog to win. I'm asking for the best dog that day to receive the recognition it earned.

A judging assignment is a responsibility, not an opportunity to reward friendships. And proper gallery etiquette is just as important to maintaining the integrity of our sport.

We should all be working together to preserve bird dog field trials and hunt tests, not driving participants away through politics, favoritism, and poor sportsmanship.

**At the end of the day, let the DOGS do the talking, not the friendships or the politics!**

#FieldTrials #BirdDogs #HorsebackFieldTrials #WalkingFieldTrials #HuntTests #FieldTrialJudging #BirdDogCommunity #Sportsmanship #FairJudging #FieldTrialEtiquette #LetTheBestDogWin