Laura - third time lucky. Go to
Index2
Debbie - Of course it is unfair. Someone else could handle your dog/s at a show in which you are an executive member of. By rights the judge is not suppose to see even the catalogue. But on the other hand there is enough anecdotal evidence to say that some judges may favour a handler or do something that is reciprocal with another judge who is also a show ring handler etc. Anyway, I really hate bringing all this kind of thing up because it is a reason why conformation showing can be like a witches stew and we all like to really think that everyone one has a fair go at all times. Most of the time they probably do and any favouritism perceived is all in the mind of the loser/s.
But it is tough when you have a specialist judge from overseas and you miss out because of all this. With agility, the judge is unable to influence the outcome very much because it is all there for everyone to see - and new technology is going to render agility judging with even less influence.