First and Always - Before you do anything else, use the judge's stamp (if he or she has one) to mark the judge on each page of the control sheet.  If there is no stamp, write the judges name down yourself.  Then record that you are the writer.  That way, the show secretary will know who to ask if there's a question. 

 

And you wouldn't believe how often there's no record of who judged what after a show!

 

The Layout - True, control sheets will look a little different from show to show, but the basics are the same. 

 

You may have the exhibitor name listed, or perhaps you have just an exhibitor number, for each entry.  If your form has just numbers, look for a sheet that lists the exhibitors with their numbers.  This will come in handy when you are missing a rabbit and have figured out who needs to bring it to the table.

 

There is also a space for the ear number, a space for the placement, and room for the special awards (such as Best of Group or Best Opposite Sex of Breed).

 

Recording Placements - Sometimes a judge will start placing with the last animal and simply work his or her way up to first.  But that's not always the case.  Sometimes - and judges should use this rarely - a judge will place the first place rabbit first to close the class.  Besides numbered placements, here are other placements to expect:

• Disqualification - Although judges can DQ a rabbit at any time, you will find that they most often handle those first.  Most people know to record "DQ" where the placements go, but many do not realize you also need to record the reason for the DQ.  Some DQ's, like wrong sex, reduce the number of animals in the class.  Most other DQ's, like wrong toenail color, do not.  The show secretary needs to know which type of DQ it is.
   

• Vicious Animal - Judges use this call very infrequently, but it can come up from time to time.  When a rabbit is determined to be vicious, the judge does not give comments.  The number in the class will be reduced, so make sure you record "Vicious" and not DQ.
   

• No Place - Judges are never required to place more than 25 rabbits.  When there are ten or fewer rabbits, the judge must place all of the rabbits.  The ten rabbit minimum stays in place until you hit 22 rabbits, since judges are required to place half of the rabbits (but not fewer than 10 and no more than 25).  So, if there are ten or fewer - the judge places all.  If there are 11 to 21, the judge places a minimum of 10.  IF there are 22 to 49, the judge places a minimum of half.  Beyond that, the judge must place 25.
  
  Judges may place all rabbits in the class, if they choose.  Often, a judge will tell the writer, after looking over the class how many will be no placed or to inform the judge when there are 10 (or some other number) left in the class.
  
  Use "NP" to designate a "no place."
   

• No Show - If entries fail to make it to the table before the judge places the first place rabbit, then that rabbit is not allowed to complete and is marked with "NS" for "no show."
  
  Often, a judge is still willing to give the exhibitor comments on the rabbits after the class or breed is finished.  If you have a disappointed exhibitor arrive too late, making the suggestion that they ask the judge if he or she will do comments later can sometimes prevent hard feelings.
   

• Scratch - Often you will receive the control sheet with additions and scratches already noted.  But exhibitors also decide to scratch rabbits during the day as well.  When exhibitors decide to leave early, find out they forgot to pack a certain rabbit, have a rabbit that received a DQ in an earlier show, or even get tired of showing, they may request that you scratch their entry.  You may write the word "scratch" in the placement space.  If you decide to mark out the entry, please use a single, thin line, as the show secretary may still need to read the ear number and exhibitor name and/or code.
   

• Specials - Please check out the section on specials to learn more of the in's and out's of specials.  When I write, I like to circle the first place animal's placement, so I can easily find the rabbits that are competing for specials.  When the judge makes the award, I often jot down verbatim what he or she says on the bottom of the sheet.  Then I can go back at my leisure and record the specials.  It's too easy to grab the broken senior doe instead of the solid senior doe if you are rushing, trying to catch the next award.
  
  Do not hesitate to make the judge stop and re-confirm that you are recorded the right animals winning the specials.  If there is any confusion, ask for the ear number again.  Some judges will automatically read the ear numbers of the winners.
  
  Specials are noted in the space just to the right of the placement space.