Ask any experienced trial organizer what makes a great event, and they'll put the judge near the top of the list. A good judge sets fair courses, keeps the ring moving, and creates an experience that handlers want to come back for. A poor match can lead to low entries, complaints, and a trial that doesn't feel worth the effort.
Choosing judges deserves more thought than many clubs give it.
Experience Requirements by Organization
Before you start reaching out to judges, know what your sanctioning organization requires. Most organizations have a tiered judging system:
- Provisional or apprentice judges who can judge lower levels under supervision
- Fully certified judges who can judge all levels independently
- Senior or master judges with extensive experience and additional qualifications
Make sure the judge you're considering is approved to judge the specific classes and levels you're offering. A judge who is certified for beginner and novice classes might not be approved for championship-level courses. Check the organization's current judges list before making any commitments.
Course Design Style Matters
Every judge has a course design style, and handlers notice. Some judges are known for flowing, handler-friendly courses. Others design more technical, challenging courses that test advanced skills. Neither approach is wrong, but the style should match your trial's audience.
Things to consider:
- If your trial attracts a lot of newer competitors, look for judges who design fair, readable courses at the lower levels
- If your region has a strong competitive scene, handlers may appreciate a judge who sets challenging upper-level courses
- Ask other clubs about their experiences with specific judges
- Look at the judge's reputation — do handlers travel to enter under them, or do entries drop?
Judging Multiple Rings
At larger trials with two or more rings, you may need multiple judges. This adds scheduling complexity:
- Make sure judges are comfortable with the number of runs they'll be judging each day
- Consider whether one judge will handle all levels in a class, or if levels will be split between judges
- Account for course building time between classes
- Plan for breaks — judging all day without rest leads to mistakes and fatigue
If you're using two judges, think about how their styles complement each other. Having one judge who designs flowing courses and another who sets more technical challenges gives handlers variety throughout the day.
Budget and Logistics
Judges need to be compensated for their time, and the costs go beyond the judging fee:
- Judging fee (varies widely by organization and region)
- Travel expenses (mileage, flights, rental car)
- Hotel accommodation for out-of-town judges
- Meals during the trial
Local judges are obviously cheaper, but don't choose a judge solely based on proximity. A judge who drives three hours but fills your trial is a better investment than a local judge who costs less but doesn't attract entries.
Building Good Judge Relationships
The best clubs develop ongoing relationships with judges they trust. This benefits everyone:
- Judges who know your venue can design courses that work well in the space
- Handlers appreciate consistency and will enter trials with judges they enjoy
- A judge who has a good experience at your trial will want to come back
- You build a reputation as a well-run event, which attracts better judges over time
How to be a club that judges want to work with:
- Communicate clearly about expectations, schedule, and logistics well in advance
- Have equipment in good condition and course builders who know what they're doing
- Provide a comfortable judging area with water, snacks, and shade or shelter
- Pay on time and cover agreed-upon expenses without hassle
- Send a thank-you note after the trial — it goes a long way
Red Flags to Watch For
Not every judge is a good fit for every trial. Be cautious if:
- Other clubs report that the judge is frequently late or unprepared
- The judge has a reputation for being difficult to work with or dismissive of handlers
- Entries consistently drop when a particular judge is announced
- The judge is not current on rule changes or recent updates to the organization's guidelines
Word travels fast in the agility community. Take the time to ask around before committing, and your trial will be better for it.
Barkloop makes it easy to organize your trial schedule around your judges' assignments, so you can focus on building the kind of event that handlers and judges both look forward to.