PETITION FOR THE SELECTION PROCESS OF CONFORMATION FINALS JUDGES

We, the undersigned, believe that the ASCA Conformation Finals is not a regular conformation event.  It is conformation’s most esteemed event because it is Finals.  This event is an invitation only event that is held once a year, at the ASCA National Specialty.  To be invited, dogs must compete and win multiple Best of Breed and/or Best of Opposite awards, to earn merit points over the course of the specified merit year.

 Dogs that qualify should not be denied having the opportunity to compete.  No person or committee should be able to thusly disqualify an eligible dog through the judge selection process.  Conversely, no judge should be put in the position of having to excuse finals dogs for conflict of interest.  The Finals judges for a campaign year should be hired after the campaign year has ended.  This is equitable to the judges and the qualifying dogs.  No judge who is the owner, co-owner, breeder or co-breeder of a Conformation Finals qualifying dog should be hired as a judge for the Finals event in that qualifying year.

 As the Conformation Finals is still a young program within ASCA, it is evolving.  The purpose of this petition is to advise the ASCA Board of Directors and Conformation Committee that the undersigned members want the judges selection process reviewed and revised.  The Finals rules should equitably support all owners and breeders who help sustain the ASCA Conformation Program through their entries and participation throughout the merit year.

  Please sign this petition if you support a change to the Conformation Finals judge selection/hiring process.  PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR ASCA MEMBERSHIP NUMBER WITH YOUR SIGNATURE.