Breed Standards - Sussex Cattle Breeders Society

37
2.3.6 As the animal walks away, watch placement of its hind legs, its
freedom of movement and balance. Assesss its size and growth.
2.4 After this close examination, you should have an overall impression of the
animal, together with a mental list of its strengths and weaknesses. Repeat
the process with each animal in turn. The exhibitor deserves this courtesy
from the judge, even in the case of animals which are obviously substandard.
2.5 Skilled judges are able to indicate to the spectators that they have spotted a
weakness on an animal. Try to put your hand on the problem area or in other
ways to indicate to the spectators that you have seen the fault.
2.6 Once you have examined each animal individually, let all the animals circle
the ring once or twice. By now, you should have an idea of your placings.
But it you are undecided, ask the steward to change the order to enable you
to compare animals more easily. Do not waste too much time. Remember
that first impressions are often the best, and that by delaying a decision for
too long, you very often get into even worse trouble.
2.7 Have the steward line up your selections in your order of preference; do not
forget to line the animals up from the same end for each class.
2.7 Compare the animals while they stand side by side. Do not hesitate at this
stage to change the order if you are sure that you initial placing was wrong.
But avoid continuous chopping and changing, especially with lower placings.
Be thorough, but don’t waste too much time.
2.8 It is always useful to parade the prize winners one more time before coming
to a final decision.
2.9 It there is a large class, it may be necessary to eliminate the worst animals,
and let them go out of the ring before lining up your selections. It is in any
case not necessary to place all the animals, it is usual to place one or two
more than the number of available prizes, with the remainder being merely
lined up behind the prize winners.
2.10 It is not required that you award all the prizes available. If the standard is
poor, you may decide for e.g. not to award a first prize. But this action should
only be taken in extreme cases!
2.11 Before indicating to the steward that you have finished, make a mental
note of the reasons for your placings. Then while the tickets are written out,
explain to the spectators why you have placed the animals in the order you
have. Be brief, polite and considerate of the exhibitors, but be specific. If is
not sufficient merely to say that “It is a very nice bull”! Apart from these
remarks it is not wise to talk privately either to spectators or to the leaders.
2.12 Apart from requests for information, or instructions concerning the
parading and placement of animals, the judge should not discuss any animals
with the steward.