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Volunteer guides

Scribing a USDAA trial.

You sit beside the judge and write down what they call. Here is exactly what to record, class by class.

Scribing is the job most first-time volunteers are handed, and it looks harder than it is. You sit beside the judge, watch their signals, and write down what they call. You do not need to know the rules to do it well, and somebody will always sit with you the first time.

Download the scribe instructions (PDF)Printable version for ringside. The page above has the same content.

During each run

  1. Get scribe sheets and a pencil from the ringside file box while handlers are walking the course.
  2. Check that the scribe sheets are in the same order as the dogs on the posted running order. Mark absent or scratched entries by drawing a line through the sheet and writing SCR.
  3. If a handler has written C for conflict next to their dog on the running order, turn that scribe sheet sideways in the pile so you spot it coming.
  4. Listen for the gate steward to announce each dog as it steps to the line, and match the name to your sheet.
  5. Watch the judge for hand signals and listen for voice calls or the whistle, and record the faults as they are given.
  6. Record the time called out by the timer.
  7. Hand completed sheets to the scribe sheet runner.

This should move briskly. A ring runs at the pace of its scribe, so keep it flowing and don't worry about neatness.

Fault codes

These are the marks you will use most. The judge signals, you write.

CodeMeaningWhen the judge calls it
RRefusalDog passes the plane of the obstacle, or misses a weave entry
SStandard faultDropped bar, missed contact, missed weave pole
FFailure to performOff course
EEliminationOff course, or three refusals
FEOFor exhibition onlyRecord with NT, no time
EFix and continueRecord with NT, no time

The one-page cheat sheet (PDF) shows the judge's hand signals alongside these codes. Most scribes keep it in front of them.

Numbered courses

Grand Prix, Standard, Jumpers, Pairs and Biathlon. Record any faults, then record the time from the timer, or NT if there was no time.

Steeplechase and Performance Speed Jumping

Only standard faults and eliminations apply. Record faults, then the time or NT.

Gamblers

  1. Record opening points: write each obstacle's value in the order the judge speaks it, including zeroes.
  2. Record the joker as yes or no. A whistle during the gamble means no. A thumbs up or a spoken yes means yes.
  3. Record the time, or NT.

Snooker

  1. Record opening points: circle each red jump as the judge states "1", then write the value the judge calls for the obstacle taken after it. Write zero if the judge calls zero.
  2. Record closing points: circle each obstacle value as the judge states them in order, 2 through 7.
  3. Record the time, or NT.
The whistle means something different in Snooker. If the judge blows the whistle during a Snooker run, the dog is not eliminated. It is the only class where that is true, and it catches out nearly every new scribe.

Before you volunteer

Nobody is thrown in cold. Tell the gate steward or trial secretary it's your first time and someone will scribe alongside you for a class. Scribing also earns Doggie Bytes toward your class fees and entries.

See all volunteer roles