CLACKAMAS COUNTY 4-H RING STEWARD GUIDELINES Stewarding functions in the obedience ring are broken down into three general categories: gate, table and ring. QUALIFICATIONS:    

Friendly individual who are willing to follow directions. Previous experience as an exhibitor or steward at a 4-H show. Familiarity with the Clackamas County Ring Steward Guidelines. Familiarity with the 4-H Dog obedience, Showmanship contest guide.

TIME COMMITMENT The head ring steward will let you know when you volunteer how long your shift will be. Stewarding assignments may also involve assisting in set up and clean up requiring work after the last exhibitor is gone. RESPOSIBILITIES:  

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Understand that you are present to assist the judge, and at no time should the steward appear to be discussing judging of dogs with a judge or an exhibitor. Be at ringside at least 10 minutes before your schedule shift to make for an easy transition. If you are the first steward please arrive at ringside 15 minutes before start of judging to receive specific instructions from the judge and assist in setting up the ring for judging. Remember you an representing 4-H do not visit with friends and make the judge and smooth running of the obedience ring your number one priority Pass any judges instruction along to the steward who replaces you. Assist with clean up as required

DUTIES OF AN OBEDIENCE RING STEWARD Individual exercises: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Have entries posted at ring entrance. Admit entrants into ring, checking arm band number. Have the next entrant waiting on deck. Provide posts for Figure 8. Take leash from entrant before off leash exercise and return leash when they leave the ring. Secure score sheets from the judge until needed for group exercise.

GROUP EXERCIESES 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

7. 8.

Line up entrants numerically outside the ring When all present, march the entrants into the ring. Position and space entrants inline, per judges instruction. For off leash classes: armbands must be placed behind the dogs, with the number s showing, secured by the lead. Time each exercise. Notify the judge at the end of each appropriate time segment. Once a dog moves from a spot, remove it immediately from the line, returning it to the handler, before it can disturb another dog. If on lead, send the dog and handler to the other side of the ring. If a dog stands or downs (on the sit), stands or sits(on the down) without moving from the spot, do not remove the dog. Help the judge add up the scores, if asked.

RIBBON CEREMONY 1. Have ribbons and trophy ready for presentation. 2. Send score sheets to the recorder at the end of each class. ORDER OF EXERCISES PRE-NOVICE      

Heel on Leash. Figure 8 (posts 8’ apart) Stand for Examination Recall Long Sit (1 Minute) Long Down (3 Minutes)

NOVICE       

Heel on Leash Figure 8 (posts 8’ apart) Stand for Examination (Off Leash) Heel Free (off Leash) Recall Long Sit (1 Minute) Long Down (3 Minutes)

GRADUATE NOVICE       

Heel on Leash Stand for Examination (Off Leash) Heel Free Figure 8 Drop On Recall Long Sit (3 Minutes, handler out of sight) Long Down (5 Minutes, Handler out of sight)

ADVANCED GRADUATE NOVICE       

Heel Free Figure 8 Moving Stand for Examination Drop on Recall Recall with dumbbell Recall over broad jump Long Down(5 Minutes, Hander out of sight)

OPEN       

Heel Free and Figure 8 Drop on Recall Retrieve on Flat Retrieve over High Jump Broad Jump Long Sit (3 minutes, Handler out of sight) Long Down (5 Minutes, Handler out of sight)

OPEN CHALLENGE      

Signal Exercise Drop on recall (Signal drop) Retrieve over High Jump Directed retrieve Long Sit (3 Minutes, Handler out of sight) Long Down (5 Minutes, Handler out of sight)

UTILITY  

Signal Exercise Scent Discrimination Leather

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Scent Discrimination Metal Directed Retrieve Moving Stand for Examination Directed Jumping

VETERAN/HANDICAPPED     

Heel free and Figure 8 with signals (hand or audible) Signals Drop on Recall Retrieve on Flat Group exercises: Stand (1 minute off Leash), Sit (1 Minute Off Leash), Down (1 Minute off Leash)

SETTING JUMPS 

HIGH JUMP

JUMP HEIGHT ---- BOARDS 8” ---- 8 10” ---- 8 + 2 12” ---- 8 + 4 14” ---- 8 + 4 + 2 16” ---- 8 + 8 18” ---- 8 + 8 + 2 20” ---- 8 + 8 + 4 22” ---- 8 + 8 + 4 + 2 24” ---- 8 + 8 + 8 26” ---- 8 + 8 + 8 + 2 28” ---- 8 + 8 + 8 + 4 30” ---- 8 + 8 + 8 + 4 + 2 32” ---- 8 + 8 + 8 + 8 34” ---- 8 + 8 + 8 + 8 + 2 36” ---- 8 + 8 + 8 + 8 + 4

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BROAD JUMP Jump Length/Number of Boards

16” ---- 24”/ 2 28” ---- 44”/ 3 48” ---- 72”/ 4 The Broad Jump is twice the High Jump. For example, if a dog jumps 18” for retrieve over the jump, set the Broad Jump at 36” (three Boards)

DUTIES OF A RALLY RING STEWARD GATE STEWARD RESPOSIBILITIES:      

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Checking to armband numbers Directing exhibitors who request to be judged out of order due to conflicts to the judge and reporting any absences to the judge and table steward. Assuring that the jump height is correctly set by the ring steward for each dog in the Advanced and Excellent classes before it enters the ring. Ensuring that dogs are judged in numerical order but not to the extent of holding up the judge. Ensuring that handlers and dogs do not enter the ring until the judge so indicates. Ensuring the next dog to be judged is immediately available. As soon as the judge begins judging the dog in the ring, the steward calls the next dog and ensures the handler is ringside. If the next dog is not available, the gate steward should not hesitate to call the next dog in order. As needed, ensuring that the leash is returned to the hander as the dog and handler complete the course, and that the dog is on leash when the team leaves the ring. Being aware of any problems with the dogs on course and being ready to follow instructions given by the judge. For Advanced and Excellent, verifying that the jump height is listed correctly for each dog. Assisting with any other duties assigned by the judge.

THE TABLE STEWARD RESPONSIBILITIES:     

Correctly entering the class, proper armband number and breed of dog on score sheet(s) Correctly adding scores of the score sheet(s) Informing the judge of any error on the score sheet(s) so the judge can correct it. Listing the time on score sheets or judges worksheet as minutes, seconds and hundreths. Making sure that score sheet or worksheets are not displayed or exhibited to any other person at the event, unless specifically directed to do so by the judge.

THE RING STEWARDS RESPONSIBILITIES:

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Assisting in setting the rally courses initially and from class to class. Being aware of any problems with the dogs on course and ready to follow instructions given by the judge. Making sure the jumps in Rally Advanced and Excellent classes are set at correct jump height for each dog entered in the class. Assisting with the leash in Rally Advanced and Excellent classes, making sure the leash is returned to the handler and that the dog is on leash before leaving the ring. Performing other duties as assigned by the judge.

DUTIES OF A RING STEWARD FOR SHOWMANSHIP:        

Making sure everything that is needed for judging is at the ring ready for judge including score sheets and awards. Ensuring the examination table is in the ring for small breed dogs. Ensuring there is no glass, sticks or other debris in the ring so the judge does not have to stop re-route his class. Handling Clean-up or hospitality as needed. Calling entrants to the ring, by armband number. Closing the ring for lunch (Removing all judging information) and returning early from lunch to re-open the ring. Asking the judge about procedural items: Order of dogs, Photograph opportunities, where the dogs should be lined upon entering the ring. Any duties the judge requires.