What is "Judges Assist"?

In recent months, there are photos and reports of several people doing "Judges Assist" at shows.  Exactly what is "Judges Assist"?   Do the judges really need assistance?  Why are some of these people flying into California to do their "Judges Assist"?

In this photo at Monterey on July 14, Ethan from TN is doing "Judges Assist" under judge Josh Humphries.   Ethan is working to become a licensed ARBA Registrar.   In order to be a registrar, one has to be an ARBA member consecutively for a minimum of 3 years, submits a fee and a petition with at least 20 signatures from other ARBA members and applies to take a written test and an oral test based on the Standard of Perfection.    If passed, the applicant has to work as an apprentice to at lease 2 licensed judges in 3 all breed shows.   If passed, the applicant becomes a registrar.

Masako flew in from Japan to do her "Judges Assist" under judge Kellyjo Younggreen for her judge's license.  To become an ARBA licensed rabbit judge, one must have held a registrar's license for no less than 2 years and registered 35 or more rabbits.  Along with fee and a petition with signatures from 20 adult ARBA members, one can apply to take the judge's examination.  If passed, the applicant must work as "Judges Assist" in 8 all breed shows and receives endorsement from 6 judges.   All the requirements have to be completed within 3 years of the date the initial application is submitted.   As you can see, in some areas it's hard to secure 8 shows within the time frame.    In Masako's case, she already worked as Judges Assist for 2 shows in Japan, there will be 2 more shows in Japan in 2019.   In order to expedite her goal of becoming an ARBA judge, she flew to California to work 4 shows including the one at Portola Valley.

At Reno during WCC, Jason from Texas unofficially worked under Josh.  It's "unofficial" because Jason was still waiting for the results of his registrar's exam at the time of WCC.   In addition, Josh was judging the BAARG specialty show, in order to receive credit, the show will need to be an all breed show.    There isn't as many Angoras in Texas, Jason took the chance to learn about the 4 breeds of Angora from Josh.  

There has been quite a few out of town judges who had done part of their Judges Assist in California due to the frequency of shows here.   ARBA district director Jim Rowland did his last two Judges Assist at Red Bluff in 2007, see:

https://ncag.blogspot.com/2007/12/soon-to-be-judge-jim.html