>I went to the Warm Fuzzy show this weekend and was frankly disappointed.
>The same few people won all the trophies-as if they were the favorites.
>I don't go for the trophies myself, but I spoke to several people who
>felt some of the judges were not impartial.
 
As a committee member I stewarded some of the rings at the WarmFuzzy show
and observed the judges.  I seen all the ferrets that came through my
rings.  I was also able to observe some of the other ferrets that took
top ribbons and I can honestly say that the ferrets that won deserved to
win.  My little sable missed winning Sable Ring 2 by a nose and I have
never won before.  There was some good looking fuzzies at the show.  If
you have a well cared for and good looking ferret they are going to place
well at shows.  The same people win consistently because they have the
well prepared and good looking fuzzies.  A lot of points are awarded for
maintenance and care and if the human doesn't do their job then the ferret
can't score well.  So if they have complaints about where their ferrets
placed perhaps they need to re-evaluate their procedures for show prep.
 
>What bothered me was there were two kids in particular, one belonging to
>two of the judges, who were playing in the ferret playpen rolling balls at
>the ferrets and trying to pick them all up.
 
When something of this nature is observed at a show it should be brought
to the attention of the show committee so that it can be corrected on the
spot.  All committee members were wearing name tags and ribbons boldly
stating Committee.  You should have reported it to the committee and let
them handle it instead of trying to correct it by yelling at the children
yourself which was uncalled for.
 
This will not happen again as children will not be allowed into the ferret
playpen at future shows.  Only authorized individuals will be allowed into
the playpen to care and oversee the ferrets playing there.
 
Dennis
The MacWeasel Clan
[Posted in FML issue 3323]