New to stewarding? Start at our friendly Start Here guide — it walks you through the first steps in plain English. This page is the full reference for the scheme.
Stewarding is the foundation of the GCCF show world, and the first stage of the GCCF training pathway. Whether you want to steward for the love of it or use it as your route towards judging, this page sets out exactly what’s involved and how to qualify as a fully qualified GCCF Steward.
The scheme is run by the Guild of GCCF Judges & Stewards. There’s no time limit and no fixed timetable — you train at your own pace.
How to start
- Join the Guild of GCCF Judges & Stewards by completing the application form and paying the £5 membership fee.
- Pay the £5 by BACS, using your name as the reference: NatWest · Sort code 60-14-55 · Account 79443850 · The Guild of GCCF Judges.
- Once your form and payment reach us, you’re enrolled on the scheme.
When you join, you’ll receive: Guild membership for your first year, the GCCF Notes for Stewards, a set of Initial Stewarding Certificates, a set of Table Work Certificates, and the Application Form to Progress to Fully Qualified.
You need to be 16 or over to join (13–16 year-olds can take part through the Young Exhibitor Scheme, with appropriate insurance), and you agree to abide by the GCCF Code of Conduct throughout your training.
What you need to qualify
To become a fully qualified GCCF Steward you complete:
- Six stewarding engagements at GCCF licensed shows, across as many sections as possible — a minimum of four different sections. Work with a range of different Full Judges to broaden your experience.
- Two Table Work Certificates, obtained at All Breed Championship Shows. (This is waived if you’re already a Section or Show Manager — confirmation required.)
- Veterinary stewarding — steward for the duty veterinary surgeon at a GCCF show for at least half a day, or until the vet discharges you.
A few rules worth knowing from the start:
- No more than two certificates from any one Judge will count towards your six engagements — so spread your engagements across different judges.
- Up to two of your six engagements can be at the Household Pet (HHP) section of a GCCF licensed show — useful when there’s an HHP class but no pedigree work available.
- After each engagement you’ll be asked for brief feedback (handling, breed nuances, terminology, show protocol) — this is part of your learning record.
Submitting your forms
After each engagement, submit your completed certificate by email to admin@gccftraining.org within 28 days of the show date. Scans and clear photographs are fine. All the forms you’ll need are on the Forms & Deadlines page.
Becoming fully qualified
Once you’ve completed your six engagements, two table-work certificates and veterinary stewarding, submit your Application Form to Progress to Fully Qualified. If everything is in order, promotion is automatic.
If any concerns are raised during the review, you won’t simply be turned away — you’ll be offered support and guidance, and may be asked to complete up to five additional stewarding certificates with nominated judges before reapplying.
Where to go next
- Start Here — the friendly overview
- Joining the Stewarding Scheme — Step 1 in detail
- Booking your engagements — finding shows and contacting managers
- On the day — what stewarding actually feels like
- Forms & deadlines — every certificate and where to send it
- From steward to judge — if you’d like to go further
- Register on the Steward Directory — so show managers can find you
