SHOW: Judging Shows

When I was being tutored on the duties of a show chairman, our RVP
explained to me that it was my repsonsibility as show chair to report to
the judges panel the recent climatic conditions for our area before
beginning judging. 

I just assumed I was supposed to do this because they could possibly
take it into consideration. For example if the preceeding 6-12 months
were extremely wet, they would know why they might see more foliage
trimming or reward specimens that were highly resistant to leaf spot,
etc.

I don't know if this is quite correct and plan to ask in future judges
training unless listening judges would care to comment... 

cathy, region 19, new jersey

wmoores@watervalley.net wrote:
> 
>         Jeanne Holley wrote:
> 
> > I may be beaten up for this post, but I feel it just
> > has to be said.  We just had our Bench Show judged
> > yesterday.  We are a very small club, with perhaps 8
> > members who regularly participate in our events,
> > particularly our show.  The purpose of the show is
> > twofold.  First it is to make the community aware of
> > us and find new members, secondly it is to give
> > rewards to those active members who work so hard
> > keeping us going.
> >
>         No, I won't beat you up because  I sympathize with you.  The
> very same thing happened at our show two weeks ago.  We had
> 181 entries and the judges dropped a total of 11 blue ribbons.
> Needless to say, in spite of the wind and rain we had just two days
> before the show, the judges expected every entry to be 'a
> sculptured work of art.'  I kept hearing this expression mentioned
> several times. When you are dealing with outside plants subjected
> to the elements and all sorts of critters, one shouldn't expect each
> stalk to be a 'sculptured work of art.'
> 
>         Just for the heck of it, I took some of the same entries that
> didn't get any ribbons at our show to another show the next day
> and got blue ribbons on them!  The flowers were in the same
> condition - nor more open..nor more closed.  A different set of
> judges judged the other show.
> 
>         I have been a judge for more than twenty years, and I have met
> all kinds.  Sometimes, I think it is judges who have just gotten their
> 'credentials' that want to strut their stuff and be critical.  I think
> judges who have been at it for a long time are more lenient.  I have
> been on panels with critical judges, and some times you get
> outvoted.  But, this in no way keeps me from being outspoken in
> my opinions about their decisions.
> 
> 
> > Two of the judges were extremely tough on everything.
> > One of the other judges who frequently serves as a
> > judge for our shows said, "I try to remember that
> > these people work very hard putting a show together".
> > That to me is the sign of a judge who is well rounded.
> >
> > You are so right.  Don't invite those two critical ones ever again.
> They may get the message if nobody invites them to judge for
> several years.  Try to find judges that you know enter other shows.
> They will be more sympathetic over those judges who just judge
> shows and never enter.  This type of judge should be barred...just
> like those who, when voting their ballots, use the picture catalogs.
> >
> >
> >  If the
> > "letter of the law" without any allowance for the
> > problems encountered by iris fanciers is the only way,
> > then I ask why should people bother.
> 
>    Yes, being too critical does not help novice exhibitors who
> become so discouraged by judges' decisions after the exhibitor has
> stayed up all night getting his flowers together and in risking all the
> hazards of getting them to the show.
> 
>         I do not think every entry is a blue ribbon winner, but at our show we had so many
> entries that were 'just punched' showing that the judges saw it.
> What does it hurt to give a 3rd place or an HM for effort?  That
> encourages, not discourages the exhibitor.
> 
>         Critically judged shows don't encourage the general public to
> become members of an iris society either.  The public is not easily
> fooled.
> 
>         Irising is supposed to be fun and shows are our basic tool for
> recruitment, but when a panel of judges decides to be overly
> critical, I wonder if they think how they have affected the exhibitors
> and influenced the public.
> 
> 
> 
>         Walter Moores
>         Enid Lake, MS 7/8 USA

-- 
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Catherine Fulmer    Network Administrator    cf@pavcal.com
My words are mine, and don't reflect the views of my employer.

 "Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving
  safely in one pretty and well preserved piece, but to skid across
  the line broadside, thoroughly used up, worn out, leaking oil,
  shouting GERONIMO!"
manowar@vramp.net              http://www.vramp.net/~manowar
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