Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Resource Management at Shows
I once traveled a good distance to go to a show when I probably should have stayed home. The main reason I was willing to make extra effort to get to the show was that there were four good Holland judges at the show. When I arrived, my #4 and #1 choices were listed as judging Hollands. Okay, I thought, this will be worth it.
But alas, time and judges were not managed optimally and we ended up getting my #2 choice for brokens only and a judge that, well, it would be just better to skip what I thought of his judging. I was so disappointed. With three choices of judges with Holland experience, we were matched up with one that was totally out of step with judges known for at least some expertise in Hollands. And I didn't get to show under what I consider to be the best Holland judge there (note: I love showing under my #2 choice, but it hasn't been very long since I last had the opportunity to show under her).
So this is one kind of frustrating show. The judges are there, but they aren't used well. Unfortunately, that show was just one example. It's happened many times.
Here's another type of a frustrating show. The same judges who judged 10 weeks ago are back. It's a total repeat. And, what's more, they'll be back in another 12 weeks to do it all again. So, the judges who love famous rabbit X will pick that rabbit now, last time, and next time. But much more importantly, whatever strengths the judges have, we've already benefited from. And whatever weaknesses those judges have, we continue to lack, in terms of feedback.
I realize that the show superintendent job is a very hard, very thankless job. But I'd like to see more superintendents take into consideration their resources and match them well. I'd like to see more clubs take the variety of the skills of the judges they offer into consideration. Even if a club can't afford to fly in a judge from the other coast, at least offering more variety from among the same-cost judges would be a benefit.
In most cases, it would just take a little conversation with the judges to find out what they specialize in. A little more conversation with exhibitors (not just one exhibitor, please!) would shed a lot more light on the situation. I have absolutely loved the shows where the super has come to the exhibitors as a group to get some feedback. He then put that information into the mix and developed a really good plan.
I realize that the more I learn about Hollands, the pickier I am about which judge's comments I value. I suppose going to national level shows has started to ruin my ability to enjoy a local show (at least rabbit-wise - I still love the people aspect of showing).
So, you might see me wandering farther and farther from home, searching for skilled Holland judges. If you live in my general area and you're up for a road trip, just let me know!
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry “Home Of Grand Champions”
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
¶ 8:06 AM
But alas, time and judges were not managed optimally and we ended up getting my #2 choice for brokens only and a judge that, well, it would be just better to skip what I thought of his judging. I was so disappointed. With three choices of judges with Holland experience, we were matched up with one that was totally out of step with judges known for at least some expertise in Hollands. And I didn't get to show under what I consider to be the best Holland judge there (note: I love showing under my #2 choice, but it hasn't been very long since I last had the opportunity to show under her).
So this is one kind of frustrating show. The judges are there, but they aren't used well. Unfortunately, that show was just one example. It's happened many times.
Here's another type of a frustrating show. The same judges who judged 10 weeks ago are back. It's a total repeat. And, what's more, they'll be back in another 12 weeks to do it all again. So, the judges who love famous rabbit X will pick that rabbit now, last time, and next time. But much more importantly, whatever strengths the judges have, we've already benefited from. And whatever weaknesses those judges have, we continue to lack, in terms of feedback.
I realize that the show superintendent job is a very hard, very thankless job. But I'd like to see more superintendents take into consideration their resources and match them well. I'd like to see more clubs take the variety of the skills of the judges they offer into consideration. Even if a club can't afford to fly in a judge from the other coast, at least offering more variety from among the same-cost judges would be a benefit.
In most cases, it would just take a little conversation with the judges to find out what they specialize in. A little more conversation with exhibitors (not just one exhibitor, please!) would shed a lot more light on the situation. I have absolutely loved the shows where the super has come to the exhibitors as a group to get some feedback. He then put that information into the mix and developed a really good plan.
I realize that the more I learn about Hollands, the pickier I am about which judge's comments I value. I suppose going to national level shows has started to ruin my ability to enjoy a local show (at least rabbit-wise - I still love the people aspect of showing).
So, you might see me wandering farther and farther from home, searching for skilled Holland judges. If you live in my general area and you're up for a road trip, just let me know!
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry “Home Of Grand Champions”
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
¶ 8:06 AM
