Got back today from the Pennsylvania Ferret Association show in New Stanton.
Had a blast - though a long one.
 
For a first show this was pretty darned good.  They learned a few things so
the next should be even better.  bill was one of the judges.  Courtney was
the brought in to be Master of Ceremonies.  Our biased opinion is that they
brought in the very best.  <grin>
 
Pam Grant got to meet her first angora.  One had been turned into a shelter
and adopted by a new friend of ours from Montana.  We met this ferret and
thought she was pretty nice.  Hey Lars and Nadine!  This angora has found
herself a good home.  We know you two care deeply about your former charges.
 
A tidbit for those who don't know.  Most ferret shows are three ring
affairs.  A judge can enter ferrets but they do not go through the judges
"ring" to prevent bias.  Different organizations handle this differently.
The American Ferret Association just lets only two judges evaluate the
ferret so they only have two chances for ribbons.  They average out the
placement of the ferret in evaluating for best in show.  If a ferret
belonging to a judge wins it is only on the opinion of the other judges -
and judges tend to be pretty competitive with each other so they are not
usually biased toward each others ferrets.
 
Now the reason for that little explanation...
 
A Zen ferret took a best in show in the breeder class!  Okay occaisionally
we brag...  This ferret is one of those Courtney considers hers.
 
Shady Hollow's Kamakazi of Zen.
 
I was too busy judging to notice who all won.  Didn't see any of the
specialties.  Tom Denitto and his wife from Massachusetts took best in show
alter.  Vicky McKimmey's kit she got took best in show kit.  I don't know
any ferret names since us judges don't get to see ferret's names.  Just a
number and the ferret.  By the time we ehard the names it was all over and
we're not all that good with names.  First places in the rings went to all
kinds of people from all over the region.  Several from the PFA are on this
list so maybe one of them can remember more...
 
Oh and it was great meeting a whole bunch of new people to let us put faces
with email addresses.  Lots of folks so please forgive us if we don't list
everybody.  We were glad to meet ALL of you...
 
bill and diane killian
zen and the art of ferrets
http://www.zenferret.com/
mailto:[log in to unmask]
[Posted in FML issue 2058]