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The Show is coming Trevor Wray |
All newcomers to the Judges Course are treated to a basic induction to judging and I was lucky to be instructed by veteran Judge Bill Keen with observations by Cath Darbon. I wrote his clear guide down verbatim. Now it seems that if you want to win in a show class you have to listen to what the judges are looking for. You are basically looking for an entry that is not NAS, not unworthy and is the best of what’s left. It sounds easy…… Here are the points from Bill’s instruction.
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Judge’s action Eliminate NAS |
Exhibitor’s actions Eliminate NAS |
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Check... 1. Correct number of plants. • Too few or many for the class. • Two (or more) plants in a pot 2. Size of pot measured inside the rim 3. Size of display area 4. Exhibit conforms to show groups |
Make sure your exhibit conforms to the basic class requirement. Don’t moan if it does not and the Judge decides that your exhibit is NAS. (not according to schedule.) In branch shows it is a good idea if experienced exhibiters or trained judges have a glance around the exhibits and advise newcomers of potential NAS exhibits before the judging.
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Eliminate unworthy |
Eliminate unworthy |
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Look for... · Dead plants · Dormant plants · Plants not established · Badly pest infected plants · Badly damaged plants |
Do not exhibit dormant (or especially dead!) plants, those introduced from habitat or field grown crops and not re-established or those badly infested with pests. An experienced judge may look past a few bugs or a little pest damage or recent physical damage from staging the exhibit. A few bugs may have jumped off the heavily infested plant next door which will definitely be disqualified.
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| Judge what’s left | Improve your chances |
| Pointing. If the judge has such a close decision as to warrant pointing the class the pointing scale is shown in the latest 9th edition of ‘The Guide to Shows’, (it has changed only slightly from the 8th in this respect). Most of the points are given for condition and maturity (and even when not pointing a class, judges are encouraged to give these priority – as I heard Tony Morris say “that’s just the point – it is common, but this scores top marks for age and condition”. | If your plant is mature and in good condition with no pests, you can still improve your chances with a clearly written label, a clean pot and a tasteful top dressing to the compost. Use a soft brush (with a vacuum cleaner?) to remove spiders’ webs. Use tweezers to remove debris and dead leaves from the plant body. Should you remove the evidence of flowering? The ancient remains of flower stems just show neglect. An experienced judge will closely inspect and see even recent evidence of flowering, even where there are no floral remains. So... best to remove spent flowers as soon as you can. |
| Objections | Objections |
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As a (especially a newly) qualified Judge the thought of official objections might fill me with dread. However, Bill explained that anyone with a valid objection should actually be encouraged to make a formal objection. This is the final stage of judging a show. The grounds for re-judging the class should be decided by the local show’s committee. If agreed the Judge should re-judge that class with regard to the written objection. |
Should you consider that your 30 year seedling of Ariocarpus, bursting with health and flowers, should have beaten a scruffy, red-spidery Rebutia, you can object only on the grounds that the winning exhibit is NAS. Without them (and if it is that obvious), you may consider whether you want to ask that judge at your show again! |
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Feedback |
Feedback |
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The best Judges spread knowledge and enthusiasm for the hobby. Dialogue between the Judge and Stewards (who are generally experienced show-ers or even Judges themselves) can be instructive. However remember that the Judging takes place to a schedule especially with regard to... |
Do not be afraid to ask the Judge about plants and judging decisions. To the newcomer the Judge has a lot of knowledge and many Judges have specialist knowledge on a particular group of plants which will interest everyone. |
| The Judges dinner/lunch | The Judges dinner/lunch |
| A Judge may spend a day travelling and judging a show. It seems only fair that the judge should be well fed and watered as his just reward. Don’t forget to pay the expenses! | As a mere exhibiter you may fume as the Judge, Show Sec and Chairman, (or whatever is the local agreement) gobble up some fine lunchtime repast at the branch’s expense. Try to remember that the Judge is at least impartial and has a very poor real return on his day’s work. |
If you think you fancy the life style of a Cactus and succulent Judge sign up for the next Judges’ Course.
Trev