I certainly want to address all of your comments in this post so it may
be lengthy to do that.

But first I would like to thank you for coming as a first time visitor
and whoever brought you as a guest. You, as part of the general public,
are very important to Heart of Ohio Ferret Association and Rescue. Our
walk-in traffic is one of the things that seems to set the Ferret
Buckeye Bash apart from some other shows. At least that is what many
of our vendors, shelters, speakers and participants say. This HOFA
Rescue's main fundraiser for our shelter, and as such it usually
operates almost to a break even until the day of the show where the
outside gate and raffle proceeds as well as proceeds at the club
table are the main source of funds. You are a target market for us on
spreading education and support about the ferret as both a companion
AND as a show animal.

Many of the attending shelters get some of their operating income from
the Buckeye Bash through sales at their vendor booths. I hope you had
the opportunity to visit and shop many of these vendors and other areas
of the Show Hall in addition to your observation of the judging.

I, personally, would be happy to speak to you about ALL the work of
putting on a show directly from obtaining sponsorship, judging, show
hall layout, registration, promotion, countless volunteer hours,
speakers, fun events in addition to the financial risk and benefits it
takes to put on a show of this magnitude. To help you better understand
some of the answers to your observations, Ferret Buckeye Bash is
organized and presented by Heart of Ohio Ferret Association and Rescue.
BUT..our show is an American Ferret Association(AFA) sanctioned show.
As an AFA sanctioned show the FBB is bound by the judging and show
rules put forth by AFA. All judges are provided by and trained by AFA
to AFA's structure and color standards.

Now for your observations:

#1 As to a specialty judge referring to a rule book, since the
specialty classes unlike the championship classes are judged heavily on
color patterns along with other criteria I would prefer a judge that
needs to "split hairs" refer to a rule book if there is a question. And
to your analogy All NFL referees carry a pocket rule book which you can
see them pull out several times during a game in conferring with each
other or with coaches in assessing crucial game penalties and calls.
And, even NFL games have half time and timeouts. I would like to have
at least that same level of professionalism in our judges...and I
believe we do.

As for times when judges tables were empty. This is a function of
several things. First, the ability to obtain enough AFA judges to judge
a show. In the past, AFA has been able to provide more judges to us so
that judging was completed at an earlier time. But with the limited
number of AFA judges available, it has become harder and harder to
obtain enough judges for travel to shows. And..remember many of these
judges also have ferrets they are showing so need to get away for not
just a lunch or bathroom break. So..yes there were times away from the
judging table.

HOFA, through the Buckeye Bash, has always gone over and above AFA
guidelines for compensation to attract more judges. Still, there are
some AFA judges who may require additional funds in able to make the
trip. In some circumstances this may not seem unreasonable from an
expense perspective, this does put undue pressure on shows trying to
create funding for their shelter through a show. So in my estimation,
except for the relatively small amount of expense reimbursement these
judges receive you can truly still consider these judges practically
volunteers for the love of the ferret and the camaraderie. Maybe for
the economy, or maybe for number of currently available AFA judges,
this year it was very difficult for AFA to supply enough AFA judges
for our show.

Two of the judges were myself and our show registrar, Kay Amrine. We
are both AFA licensed Judges and because of the shortage of available
judges, we both had to judge at this year's show. Imagine if you will
trying to manage a show this size while judging. (BTW, four of the ten
judges at the show did NOT have any ferrets there at the show.) I am
truly grateful for the many dedicated HOFA volunteers and ferret lovers
that pitch in every year where needed, only through their dedication
are we able to, in my belief..put on a VERY well run show.

It boils down to, if there were more judges available, each judge would
do less judging and have more time to do what they wanted to or needed
to do as also being an paying exhibitor at the show. If you would like
to get involved so that AFA would have an easier time trying to supply
judges go to www.ferret.org to see their judging program. By getting
involved...you can make a difference.

As a rule, we do stop collecting at the gate at approximately 4:00pm
and permit the vendors to start breaking down after 5:00. And in a
perfect world , shortly after that hopefully all judging is completed.
We have accomplished that in the past when we had more than 6
championship judges.

This year gate and vendors were on ended on time. Judges did the best
they could do with the number of ferrets being shown and the number
of judges. AFA only permits certain judges to judge certain classes.
And..even the judges need lunch and time outs.

As well, the FBB had to deal with the ongoing natural disaster caused
by the hurricane on the east coast which at the last minute destroyed
some of our judges homeward travel plans which had to be arranged as
late as Saturday morning. However, judging classes still got underway.
Specialties and Companion started on time. Adolescent class was over
an hour late starting but ended not long after the Companion class.
Which put it back on schedule..thanks to the hard work of the judges.
The judges did a great job with the number of ferrets that they were
given to judge and really did hit the average AFA judging time.

As I mentioned earlier, Ferret Buckeye Bash is AFA sanctioned show.
Under AFA Judging Standards judges are permitted to enter their
ferrets. This is partially because of the small number of judges and
the number of shows there are. Many of the licensed judges are also
breeders for which showing is an essential part of their business.
There are rules that compensate for this. AFA does not have a separate
judges class as some shows years ago used to have. Partly due to the
additional expense it would cause the shelter/organization putting on
the show and the time required to judge and additional judges that
would be needed.

A judge is NEVER permitted to judge their own ferret, whether
championship or specialty. As a quick explanation, a judge's ferret
does not actually get a ribbon from their ring. If the judge's ferret
places in BOTH the other judges rings, an average is figured in
placement. That placement figures in which ferret places best in
show/best opposite and for placement points but it DOES NOT get a
ribbon from the judge/owners ring. For anonymity purposes ferrets are
brought up in carriers that are numbered. Judges place a score card
from their ring and mark it judges ferret and put face down on the
carrier so the other judges do not know it their ferret. Many judges
usually have someone else bring their ferrets up also.

While there are some definite traits to some lines of ferrets
(regardless whether the breeder owns them or someone who purchased
owned them) the numbering system is thought to be about as anonymous as
possible. Ferrets are not judged against each other but to AFA judging
standards. It is encouraged that the judges that do receive awards have
someone else bring their ferret for ribboning as there is concern on
how it appears to an outsider not knowing judging procedures. As
always, there are some judges that are proud of their ferrets and do
like to pick up their own ribbons. And in a perfect world...there
would be enough judges and shows that judges could show their ferrets
in at least 4 shows a year they did not have to judge at.

Lastly for observation #1 unlike the NFL referees you mentioned,
unfortunately we do not have video replay. Therefore, judges impression
of the ferret (disposition etc.), lighting, and interpretation of the
rules (thank goodness for rule books) are given on that day at that
time and they are final. Do judges make mistakes at particular moments?
(don't we all?). This is actually something that adds to the excitement
of the day of the show. However, judges do go through a stewarding
period, training program and take a written and hands on examination
before judging. Judges go through continuing education (a judges'
training class is held several times a year and one was held in the
show hall for FBB every year.) So every attempt is made to judge to
the correct AFA standard.

Observation #2 Feedback.
Again AFA judging standards and rules. Judges are asked to leave three
comments on the judging ribbon. Two positive and one negative that the
exhibitor can do something about. Other comments are placed on the
official judging sheets so that under later review mentioned above it
can be determined how certain scores were arrived at and whether the
judge was being fair and accurate in their judging. If your friend that
invited you was showing an animal she/he certainly got a copy of the
Ferret Buckeye Bash show catalog. In the catalog are AFA show protocol,
Judging guidelines and point system. The catalog is available to all,
even if you did not show, you may purchase a show catalog. You can find
these for both Specialty and championship classes at AFA's website at
www.ferret.org under shows and events. Again, there is a system for
complaining about judging.

Observation #3
The show hall is actually one of the earlier risks that I mentioned for
the Shelter. We prepay it a year in advance. Veteran's Memorial Hall,
in my opinion is one of the best show venues in the country. Luckily
for us the hall that we use is expandable from the layout that you
experienced. In the past, part of the area we now use was under
construction, so we were given the additional area at no cost. For the
PBS Special, we rented the additional space so it would be easier to
film. To pay for the additional space, we would have to have additional
vendors. If we have too many vendors, our vendors do not do as well.

Also as mentioned above vendors and sponsors both have given us glowing
comments in the past as we try to accommodate them in the best manner
possible and for the best presentation to the public. We had over 35
vendors at our show. We know they are our lifeblood and the success
of the show in both good and bad economies is an attestation to our
success. this is how we keep the cost down for exhibitors as well in
such a fine venue.

I have faith in America. The economy will rebound. We are still the
greatest nation on earth. And, while I may be biased, I think the
Ferret Buckeye Bash is the one of the best ferret shows in the USA. As
a comparison, since the Ferret Buckeye Bash was your first ferret show
attended, I highly recommend you check out and attend other ferret
shows as listed on AFA's website. (ferret.org).

And lastly I would also make you aware that HOFA also puts on The
Ferret Fun Fest show in the Spring which is on a slightly smaller scale
(so far) where there is specialty judging but NO championship judging.
This show is specifically for funding our hospice and is a much more
relaxed show. The show still incorporates much of the camaraderie,
vendors, education and especially FUN that the Buckeye Bash does along
with the championship show. For information on that Check out
www.HOFARescue.org.

I invite you to our Ferret Fun Fest in the spring as well as next
year's Ferret Buckeye Bash as my guest this time... if you will not
be showing or exhibiting I would even pay your admission and arrange
for a personal tour.

If you have a complaint, question or concern dealing directly with an
AFA standard or issue you are encouraged to contact AFA directly.
www.ferret.org.

I would very much like to hear ANY specific complaints, concerns and/or
questions you may have about the Ferret Buckeye Bash, AFA Standards
other show issues. Your constructive criticism is appreciated and
welcome. But I do ask that you (or anyone else that wishes to ask me
anything) PLEASE contact me directly at [log in to unmask] I really do
not see a need to continue this on the FML.

Thank you,

Scarlett
 
Scarlett A. Gray-Saling, Show Coordinator
FERRET BUCKEYE BASH 2011
SAT. Aug. 27 - Veteran's Memorial
Columbus, OH
Heart of Ohio Ferret Assoc. & Rescue
www.HOFARESCUE.org
Ferrets, Ferret People and the Ferret Buckeye Bash!
Watch for reruns of: FERRETS: The Pursuit of Excellence
on your local PBS Station

[Posted in FML 7174]