The following was written by Fran Glendinning for me when I requested information from my English Bred ESS group.  Fran is a judge in the UK and has compiled a wonderful book of English Champions - pictures and pedigrees - covering the ESS Champions from 1965 to 1995.  Some of the English Style pictures on my site were from this book.   Fran also attended our ESSFTA National this past July in Wisconsin to show a dog of her breeding in BOB.  Her kennel name is Plaiglen.

From Fran:
It is quite long and involved however I will try and explain briefly then if you need questions answered please write.

This is for a breed judge . Normally after you have been in the breed a number of  years with a moderate success rate and shown that you are interested in the breed and attended breed seminars you will probably be invited to judge some classes in ESS. No more than 3 classes as you need to be on a judging list before you can judge more. Once you have judged a few classes with a respectable number of classes (average probably 4 dogs per class) you can apply to go on one or all of the ESS judging lists (each society has their own list).

Once passed by the committee you will be put on the "B" list which means you can judge more than 3 classes of ESS. (This also applies to other breeds within the gundog group). Also all rounders have to start by going on a breed B list. In order to progress up the ladder you need to do the following as a minimum. Also it is now a Kennel Club requisition to attend and pass 2 seminars/test: Part 1 - KC Requirements of a Dog Show Judge. Part 2 KC Conformation and Movement Seminar. Also to have stewarded on at least 4 occasions. To agree to write show critiques. To be able to prove depth of interest in the breed.

The criteria for a Non-specialist for the B list is:- to have 10 years judging experience. To have atternded parts 1&2 as above except those candidates already awarding CCs. To have stewarded on at least 4 occasions.
To have judged at least 30 classes of the breed with a minimum of 90 dogs present and judged, Critiques, application and breed interest as above.

The next stage for a breed specialist is to be offered a Breed Club Open show.  This usually happens once you have been judging for a number of years and have approx 36-40 classes with approx 120 dogs.

The next stage is to be accepted by the JESS (Joint ESS CLub Consortiums) list and be put on the A3 list which includes all the above bu now you must have judged 60 classes had 200 dogs present and having had a minimum of 45 dogs present at one of the shows. To have attended and passed the JESS Judging Consortiums Part 3b  Competence day.

After you have done all that you are ready to accept your first appointment to award CC (Challenge Certificates) at a Championship Show. On your first appointment you will also have an appointed Assessor  watching you judge. Once you give CC in one breed it also means you can judge Groups at Open show level only.

I hope you understand all this I have tried to tie it down !! It is difficult. I can't understand why the FCI do not like judges from this country who only give one set of tickets  after all they have gone through you would think they are more than capable !!!