[Re:] Jerry Jackowski... Jerry: I completely agree with you that the acoustics are not great there. Last year I was a steward for one of the judges and could barely hear her comments...had to listen very closely. I missed one of my own ferret's number being called back the first two times, but did finally get him up there. Luckily, I might add, as he got a first and second place ribbon! I never did hear one of my other ferret's number being called. I found out months later that she had won a ribbon. As to your second, and very "on target" constructive criticism...about finding a place where the time constraints are not so strict, in all fairness I would like to say that it's very possible that the show would have been able to finish inside, and on time, had the judges taken their rings when they were first asked to. I don't know if you were there for the beginning of the show, but the announcer requested that the judges begin judging at least 3 times that I, personally, heard, over a period of at minimum, 1/2 hour. It may easily have been longer. The judges are aware of the time constraints, yet they stand around and talk and ignore repeated requests to begin judging on time...or even close to on time. While I do, of course, appreciate the judges' hard work and the time they put in, I, personally, found it frustrating to know we had to be out at a certain time, yet see the judges ignoring requests to take their rings. This same thing happened last year. I'm sure they have to feel extremely "rushed" judging the last groups of ferrets. This brings *me* to my criticisms. First, I felt the judging was very inconsistent between judges this year. My ferrets were judged toward the end of the show so maybe the "pressure" of having to be out was the reason, but these are comments from the three judges about, first, one of my boys: Ring #1 - Good shoulders & muscles; nice coat Ring #2 - Solid boy; nice color Ring #3 - Overweight; sweet boy Well, was he solid and muscular or was he overweight? I have to assume the judges ARE judging by the same standards...at least hopefully? We ferret "owners" (and I use that term loosely, as well all know they own us!) will, hopefully, learn from the judges' comments and try to do better. In this case...I'm not sure which judge to believe to "better" my little guy. (Personally, I adore him just the way he is, but...) Next about one of my girls: Ring #1 - Nice petite girl; nice coat... Ring #2 - Nice girl; a little pudgy Ring #3 - Well proportioned O.K. Is she petite? Pudgy? Well proportioned? I mean...if I would like her to do better next year, which judge do I believe? Somehow, I don't think she can be petite, pudgy and well proportioned, all at the same time. If I believe Judge #2, and get her to trim down, will Judge #1 think she is much too thin next year? Will Judge #3 think she is a little too thin next year? Yes...I do understand that it's only a show but, believe it or not, we work very hard ALL YEAR to have our ferrets in the best condition possible for this show. Comments like these are disheartening and make you wonder why you bother. Please understand that I am NOT a frustrated wannabe ribbon winner. One of my kids did get ribbons in all 3 rings...a first, a second and a seventh. Another took a tenth in one ring. Second, my son overheard one of the judges say something to the effect that he/she saw "maybe" 3 decent ferrets all day, the others were Pfffttt! In my opinion, this was a very, very unprofessional thing to say within hearing of anyone other than another judge. I believe we had the same problem last year and the year before...judges making comments that were highly unprofessional where all and sundry could hear. I have one more criticism, but I have written a formal complaint to the AFA and, in all fairness, will wait for their reply before posting anything here. Judy P.S. As always, I think Deb and the GCFA group did an AWESOME job. I had visitors come in from all over the country who were very impressed with the entire show...with the exception of some of the judging. Lil Will E did an ASTOUNDING job on the quilt...the shelter took in mega $$$ due to her hard work and the donations of the quilt squares. Thanks Lil Will E!!!! [Posted in FML issue 2832]