FROM MY PERSPECTIVE
JASON
HOKE
24
Alone in the Middle
M
one. We hear more voices in our heads than any of the ringside
any people who have never judged do not truly
banter or goings-on around us! The challenge is to quiet them
grasp what happens when you are in the ring, alone,
to a dull roar, move on and focus on the next decision at hand.
with your own thoughts. It is simply you putting
Hopefully, vindication comes, as it does most often, when
your knowledge out in front of your peers, baring your soul
the Winners class dogs come in and you see the consistency
and passion for something you love — but without a sounding
that may not have been obviously apparent through individboard behind you or a microphone to explain your actions.
ual classes. But as the class winners walk in, there is a sigh
Of course, you want everything to run smoothly. There is
of relief when you see a long line of consistency and type.
that inherent desire that everyone has an enjoyable time and
Knowing you made good placements is the ultimate reward.
leaves the ring without feeling dismissed. This is the first chalThe last part of being alone in the ring is something that
lenge judges try to meet, which often seems to go awry, many
those who have never judged may not easily understand. Many
times through no fault of their own.
people will come up to you and ask something like, “Was it a
Imagine a dog comes in late to a large champion class
thrill of a lifetime to judge your National?” Of course it is an
that has already been organized, the charges all stacked and
honor. There is that excitement and adrenaline you feel before
placed. You as a judge see that the best way to not disrupt
beginning the very first class, whether it’s a National or not.
the class is to simply place the dog at the end of the line. To
But there is also being alone with your own thoughts. You
move a large number of dogs back to accommodate the new
are out in the middle of the ring declaring what you on the day
arrival simply seems impractical. Unfortunately, the simple
see as the best of the best. The impetus to get every class right
gesture ends up being viewed as dismissal, not accommocompounds as you progress through
dation. There are times when a simple
the assignment. There is no safety net
solution — or what you believe is a simfor you. Everyone is watching you in
ple solution — backfires. This happens
your solitude, judging you, your eye
all the time: A judge is not wrong in
We hear more voices
for a dog and your ability to determine
making a decision but simply perceived
in our heads than
the potential future of a breed. Judging
as wrong. In most cases, there are logany of the ringside
is the most unique kind of “aloneness”
ical reasons for something out of the
one will ever experience in our sport.
ordinary occurring in the ring.
banter or goingsThere is a temperament one must
Then another quandary arises in
on around us!
have to endure this solitude. Even outjudging. There is the wonderful class
side the ring, you are secluded. You are
with multiple exhibits of outstanding
subject to scrutiny, which you should
quality. Many think this is a blessing,
expect and accept. This is part of the sport. Many will agree
but often there is a catch. There could be two top contenders
and many will not regarding the decisions of the day. This is
so close in strength of quality, yet each displaying one glaring
the reality. You also, on the day and in the long run, have to
flaw. The neophyte outside the ring would just dismiss the
separate judging from your social life. A judge’s life does have
fault they dislike the most and choose the other outstanding
restraints and boundaries from friends at certain times. There
exhibit. This is not how a judge’s mind works. The two dogs
can be no impropriety, and your demeanor must confirm that.
are compared for virtue based on breeding stock viability.
Oddly enough, your safe haven as a judge is actually the
You must consider the degree the dogs’ virtues and flaws will
ring. You can avoid the awkward exhibitor interactions, the
affect their usefulness in a breeding program. Are the virtues
hugs, the longtime friend who may be showing under you but
so strong and needed in the breed that they take precedence
forgets. Once you are alone in the ring, you can feel safe for
and can compensate for a glaring flaw?
a while from any impending misdoings, perceived or actual.
In the end, you point. The ribbons are awarded, and you
Judging is more complex than meets the eye. The time it
move on to the next class. This is the ebb and flow of judging;
takes to learn to understand and embrace the “alone” is differplace, point, forget and move on.
ent for each of us. However, once you allow yourself to welBut true students of our sport and judges who take this
come the solitude, the reward is great. The pleasure of standing
seriously have doubts on occasion. After judging a difficult
in the ring and seeing consistency and type you love, which
class, your decision will eat at you as you move through the
you can then reward, makes those feelings of being alone in
rest of the classes. There is this annoying chatter in your mind
the middle seem much less daunting. It ultimately becomes
that only you can hear, condemning you for what may have
one of the most pleasurable things a judge can experience. DIR
been a mistake, then reassuring you that you chose the right
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