“The GPC and IPGA rules clearly state the
pumpkin must be sound, healthy, and
undamaged. Entries must be free of rot, holes/cracks through to the
cavity, chemical residue and serious soft spots.”
It may simply be one of those time were
the rules need to be refined. As outlined above, it is not stated at what
point, and to what extent, the submission must pass the test of “rot”. Since
internal inspection at this stage is probably impossible, it would seem that if
the submission passes an external test of some sort for rot, then the
submission should stand. Or, if not, clearly state that if at “any time during
the judging process the submission shows signs of {whatever} the submission
will be {handled in such a manner}”.
I think the part that scares everyone is
it takes a fair amount of time to get one of these things to competition weight
and as the weigh-off time approaches we are constantly checking and rechecking the
standards to make sure we are on target. If those standards shift even ever so
slightly on judging day, it becomes frustrating.
I agree with everyone else in that the
accomplishment is supreme and my hat is off to you sir.
-----Original
Message-----
From: owner-pumpkins@hort.net
[mailto:owner-pumpkins@hort.net]On Behalf Of Brad2julie@aol.com
Sent: Wednesday, September 25,
2002 2:09 PM
To: pumpkins@hort.net
Subject: Re: INDIANA STATE RECORD
Gentlemen,
First
of all. None of you making these comments as experienced as you may be
were there!!!! I was. I am also a proud board member of the
IPGA. I am also a good friend of Tom Beauty! Tom's effort in
growing this pumpkin was nothing short of incredible. There is no
doubting that. No one in Indiana has even come close to his achievement.
The only reason the at least 4 of the 5
members (The only other member is camping this week and cannot be reached until
Friday) have agreed to not recognize it as a state record is to maintain the
highest level of integrity as a group. So the rest of you understand what
happened, I have a description below of exactly how the events took place last
Saturday.
Last Saturday at Tom's request we chose to
load the pumpkin on the scale using the tarp instead of our normal lifting
device. Also at Tom's request, he wanted to lift the pumpkin forward and
the backward in order to remove the tarp. When we lifted it forward the
judges did their inspection of the bottom. At this point it appeared to
be sound. We then lifted it backward to remove the remainder of the tarp.
When we did so the pumpkin begin leaking large amounts fluid (1 to 2 gallons
approx.) while on the scale. The judges, and I think rightly so, decided
to award Tom first place because during their final inspection they never saw a
hole or leak. For the record, the judges were a county extension agent
and former president of Indiana Vegetable Growers Assoc. Both were
new to the world of giant pumpkins. Since the pumpkin made it to scale
but not off the scale while in a sound free of rot condition, that is why
we (IPGA) have decided to recognize it as an official weight as the judges did
but not as a state record. The GPC and IPGA rules clearly state the
pumpkin must be sound, healthy, and
undamaged. Entries must be free of rot, holes/cracks through to the
cavity, chemical residue and serious soft spots.
Did the pumpkin make it to the
scale and pass final inspection? Yes, Did it while still on the scale
prove to be healthy, sound, and free of rot? No, as a board we do not feel that
it did.
So now that is over with, what do we have.
Does Tom have his prize money? Yes, all $1000 of it. Does Tom have
an official weight? Yes, even the IPGA recognizes that. It made it to an
official scale. Does Tom have an official state record? Not with
the IPGA but I have already
suggested to Tom that he talk to Ralph Ann our state statistician about having
it record by the state of Indiana as a state record.
We have already as a board discussed this
with Hugh Wiberg. You can expect a clarification on this in the weeks to
come in case a similar situation would ever arise at a national weigh-off. As
far as locally, The IPGA will most likely add a clause that the pumpkin must
weighed and off the scale without showing signs of damage and/or rot.
For the record, we have already ask
ourselves this question. Was this a pumpkin damaged in handling?
Yes, maybe. However, while it was still on the scale it came apart
and proved not to be sound and free of rot.
Personally, this is the toughest call as a
board member I have ever had to make. I hate being in this situation.
I understand both the need for Tom receiving proper recognition and the
need for the IPGA remaining a group of the highest integrity. A group
that is above reproach. Given this extremely rare never before heard of
case, I feel we have done both.
The group welcomes your suggestions.
Feel free to let us know how you feel.
Brad Walters
IPGA Site Coordinator
