22nd November 2024

Following on from fairly quiet weekends with no major shows but a few interesting BAD/MCE days for up and coming judges being held and no show results incoming there are a few points with which,perhaps, I could ask for your help and thoughts
A quick look through the latest version of the RKC, Find A Judge, for our breed currently shows 218 approved names available for selection to judge.  (Please note: there are just 39 Ch shows with CC’s including 13 Breed Clubs, most just appointing a single judge due to the fall in entries, I leave you to do the maths!)
However, a more detailed look also shows a few names of some no longer with us. Losing a family member can be devastating and informing everyone, including the RKC may not be one of the first to be informed.
It is preferable that a family member or close relative should inform the RKC but in some cases this is not possible and if a Club Secretary or Official were to inform them, hopefully with permission from the family then maybe a few of the names could be removed and then avoid any embarrassing situations in the future.
Talking of judges, there have been a few minor changes to the requirements for inclusion to certain listings, so, should you have a spare minute or two, please locate the latest KC Changes to the JEP, issued on 16th September, 2024. It affects some of  those applying for the current “Grandfather” right to award CC’s and speaking with the RKC, I can confirm that not only will this route close in Dec 2025 (and is also a ONE-TIME application) but currently they are inundated with applications from those who feel this is an easier route than continuance via the JEP or via the “old system” of being approved.
Ideally, in the future all those who wish to judge, be at just Open show or through to Group and BIS levels, should have enrolled via the JEP which in its current format, helps by providing a basic knowledge via a progression including Stewarding, attendance at Breed Specific Seminars, Mentoring, Observations and a Final Assessment based on previous knowledge.
Unfortunately, some candidates, previously registered with the JEP are becoming somewhat confused as to which route to follow and are asking for Assessments when judging appointments are received, confusing this with the previous A2/A3 requirements. So, if you are doubt as to which route is best for you to follow as an “Up and Coming Judge” perhaps you may wish to contact your Breed Education Co-Ordinator or a Club Secretary and also may I refer you to the latest booklet, available from the RKC and is online to download which clarifies all the required elements. It is the Judges Education Programme (Breed Shows)  and gives all the numbers/seminars and Tier Groups in a sensible easy to follow layout.
A recent change which affects all those applying for CC Status via the Grandfathering option is that the Candidate must now appear on 50% of Breed Clubs A3 lists. This is probably the answer to why many of our Breed Club Secretaries have received numerous applications.
However, I have been in contact with the Judges Department of the RKC and am waiting on a final reply but to summarise, as a Breed, we do have a Breed Council and within the Constitution, the RCBC are allowed to produce its own list of Judges. This listing is currently being updated in line with the RKC requirement for ALL CLUBS to review and amend their own criteria for the A3 list and the RCBC will also be complying to this.
Now, an anomaly, of our 14 breed clubs, although currently they are members of the RCBC, some have chosen not to produce/update and hold their own listing but use the RCBC list. This is acceptable but until we have Club Confirmation of how many clubs still have their own listing and how many use the RCBC list, this leaves some of those applicants for A3 in a quandary as we cannot confirm if they actually have the support of the remaining clubs, bearing in mind they need 50% to progress.
Once I receive official confirmation as to how to proceed, do take care when approving all these new names for inclusion.
Finally, in these times of financial shortages (for some) a question has been raised as to a possible need for a Breed Contingency Fund to help out those, including some of our Breed Clubs and maybe elderly owners who are struggling to make ends meet. For the canines of our breed, may I point out that our current Collie Rescue (an official Charity) actually holds over £220,000 in its funds!  If you have any thoughts, maybe contact your local Breed Club with ideas for possible fund raising.

Carole Smedley
(Antoc)

email: ca.antoc@btinternet.com