>From: Deb Yeingst <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: kissimee show I would have liked to completely stay out of this issue but problems from that show can spill over to affect others. There are issues that should be addressed. >I have been reading the fml, and to know suprise of mine, there were >babies whinning about the show. That isn't exactly a professional way to address a perceived problem. There is a problem in all ferret shows about judge's ferrets and favoritism. This is actually one of the more serious issues with ferret shows as a whole. That approach will definitely prevent some people from deciding to be attend shows. >It just worked out that her ferrets happened to win. I`m sorry I seam so >upset, but LIFE judges judge ferrets, not for there owners, but for the >animal!! This is hardly the first time this issue has been brought up about LIFE/LOS judges. The same issue is raised about AFA shows and GLFA shows. The independant, NAFA, FURO, and IFA shows in the past have also had this issue brought up. I am a licensed AFA judge and have heard complaints about judges at shows I've judged at. I even had such a claim made about me - but ironically the person with the allegation won the blue ribbon so that seemed very odd to me. I usually get compliments on my fairness. My approach of openly talking to exhibitors about anything at almost anytime helps. I will tell people what it is about their ferret that affected the score. AFA rules prohibit detailed discussions with people about ferrets belonging to others so I have to be careful on direct comparisons. Some organizations take the approach that the ferrets of judges and other club officers don't go head to head with the ferrets of others. This has a different perceived problem of elitism and a fairness in numbers of ferrets shown and chances of getting a trophy. Other groups allow the ferrets belonging to judges to be shown but not judged by that judge. Ferrets belonging to family and friends are not addressed. There isn't an easy answer. I've seen judges with all systems that I'm not convinced were as impartial as they claimed. >I did judge at that show, and I judge the way I see them. I don`t care if >I am best friends with you or not.....I do the best I can. Doing the best you can is all that can be expected. BUT rather than lash out ferret judges should try to see why there was a perception of a problem and try to address how to fix that perceived problem. Even if the judging was fair, if it seemed unfair to other exhibitors than it is a problem. This is an issue in much discussion through the ranks of the AFA. It is an issue with in the GLFA. It affects the business relationships between the AFA and the GLFA. I know I have discussed it with AFA and GLFA folk. If it wasn't a big issue then it wouldn't be so discussed by so many people. -bill -- bill and diane killian zen and the art of ferrets http://www.zenferret.com/ mailto:[log in to unmask] [Posted in FML issue 2605]