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What Makes A Show/s Popular With You?


poodlefan
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Shade available ringside in warmer weather.....

Decent coffee......

space for parking....

decent coffee...

Clustered shows... (with clean toilets facilities)

Decent coffee.....

Interstate judges, or overseas...

Decent coffee........

Space between or at least someone promoting pathways between gazebo's....

Decent coffee.......

Happy stewards.....

and definately decent coffee...

So I'll be seeing you at Bairnsdale in September then? :confused:

Ohh if you insist!! :thumbsup:

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* Evening shows - i love them, especially in summer and it's a lot better for the dogs as well.

* Good judges - and some objectivity in the selection of judges by committees - it really peeves me when someone wins under a judge and within 6 months they're judging at the shows that person is on the committee for......

* Designated walkways to rings where people are not allowed to set up gazebos etc

* My friends being at the shows I go to - showing is very social for me so it's nice to be around good people, I also have a lot of respect for committees who "call" people on poor behaviour or sportsmanship.....

* Nice grounds

* Food/drinks

* Decent toilets and showers (absolute must for me)

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good judges-most likely international ones

grounds where i am not in risk of breaking my ankle again or loosing my poms in the holes in the ground

ones where they have mown at least in last week.. have seriously shown on grass so long my dogs not only couldnt walk, in some places in the ring it was higher than they are.

catering-although now im a diabetic this is not applicable, but if we got the kids its great to say heres some money, go treat yourself

gundogs WAY away from the toys, no offense but at every show its the gundogs who are having a go at our toys.

would be better to put the toys way away from the other rings, yes i know they yap and stuff but when show after show after show its the gunnies who are antagonising our dogs or are peeing on our crates, -theres a huge diff on a pom spraying on our crate compared to a lab... not saying all gunnies are like this, but ive seen it time and time again. again, no offense, and ive met some GREAT gunnies at some shows.-but its always the same people-

stalls and prizes for best of breed. the only time i can guarantee NOT to be chosen for best of breed is when they have prizes.

again its not the prize, its the thought. Id be happy with a pen or a torchlight, one show gave away one vial of a flea treatment-great stuff! even if its a voucher for a dog roll, i like to give those to independant rescuers.

great atmosphere, with room to move is fantastic :thanks:

ardmore is too cramped for a all breeds inside-the noise is overwhelming too, but they usually have great judges and a BOB over tough competition makes it all worthwhile :laugh:

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Thanks for the thread, Tumbarumba, Bairnsdale, have caravan, making notes.. :D

Interesting that good judges appear on nearly everyone's list and also very interesting, an article by Andrew H. Brace in the March issue of Dog News Australia re the importance of competent judging at breed level and how the modern emphasis on breeding and judging for Group has had an effect on the type of dog required for success in this competitive field.

In Australia, while we make judges training requirements more complicated and "academic" IMHO we don't seem to be turning out better judges, in fact also IMHO there are very knowledgeable and capable breeders and breed specialists who will never choose to qualify and judge under this system. Our loss.

When it comes to showing, just personally I would like to see more back to back shows preferably with impartial and fully competent interstate/international judges - judges who are real dog people with proven achievements in their field, not dog world show ponies and politicians :D - so dogs can be readied and shown over a short period dedicated to "de dog show" thus keeping more weekends free for other things. Really enjoyed the opportunity for this option during an interstate trip in 2010.

Basically, fewer shows - clustered together - good quality in selection of judges.

Gee but I'm hard to please. :laugh:

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Great canteen :) - will always buy if I can... Because we believe its important to suppor the club.....but being Gluten intolerant not many shows will have say bacon and eggs on a paper plate ....

+1

double bacon, double eggs - buns split between the deerhounds. Happy gang!

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Following from from Stolz Rotties comments about the Champion class as a suggestion to improve/maintain show numbers, I thought I'd start this thread up to figure out what makes some shows popular (and therefore what folk want at a show).

I figure people will show if they find the whole experience pleasureable. Anyhoo here's what rocks my boat:

* Show clusters. Being able to travel to two or more shows in the one venue is likely to attract my entries than a single. Want a classic example? Tumbarumba doubling up with Illabo at the Tumba show grounds has produced, IMO, one of the best country show weekends available. More on this one to follow

* Adequate space ringside to set up. There's at least one show (*cough* Gundagai *cough*) that my show journal notes as a bitch to get anywhere to set up even if you are there at sparrow fart. I don't want to drive 2.5 hours to struggle to be able to find a postage stamp sized place to set up and not be able to see my ring. Pass. Short of Bo Bengston or someone of that ilk judging, I won't enter that one.

* Not having to lug gear up hill and down dale from the car park. That's a big turnoff. Being able to show out of the back of your car sure beats having to wrestle gear over fences, past locked gates etc. If you have to transport it, making damn sure there's room to move gear through between the inconsiderate of our number helps. Roping areas off is a good idea.

* Nearby accommodation or on show camping. It might be the best show in the world but if you can't find anywhere dog friendly to stay or camp, don't expect entries. Tumba's got this weighed off. Dog friendly cabins a stroll away or camp on the grounds.

* Judges with a half way decent reputation for fairness/objectivity. I've seen a few show committees wonder why a show further away got a better entry and sometimes its who they chose to judge. I'm sure we can all name folk we wouldnt' enter under and some of those names crop up A LOT. Most people have notes or spreadsheets about judges these days.

* Some sort of refreshments. Even a sausage sizzle and a cold can of softdrink beats having to drive off grounds to find anything to eat. In that regard, huge thanks to Wolumla this year for finding a soccer club? to fill the breach left by someone withdrawing their catering offer at the 11th hour.

* Decent grounds. They don't have to look like the 18th hole at Atlanta with matching clubhouse but something you're not going to get bogged in or that your dog has to tip toe through to avoid the prickles is great. Big thumbs up to Bemboka for moving their venue to Nimmitabel due to prickles last year. :laugh:

* Dunnies close to the ring. They don't have to be flash but even the hire ones are appeciated when you dont' have to have a GPS and half an hour to find them. Was thinking of starting a flash hire out dunny/bathroom business but looks like there's aleady folk doing it.

* Cash or useful prizes. Friend of mine got a box of envelopes once as a prize.. and they were so old as to be useless. That's just insulting. I'd rather have a nicer ribbon that receive stuff the Show Committee got for Christmas or won somewhere else. No offence but we've all got chairs - probably a lot better for our backs than the Golo ones and at least you can always use dog towels.

Anyone else got thoughts???

All of the above sounds good to me so far

:eek:

That would be in an ideal world though. Actually my parents and I were on the Committee of a Club that was also in that ideal world and ticked all of the above boxes.

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* Aisles around the rings and also running back to those poor souls not fortunate enough to be front row!

* Not having to hike a mile to the toilet

* Ring ropes on the ground

* Decent coffee

* Being allowed to set up on all sides of the ring

* Decent car parking i.e. not a boggy mess (Henty/Tumut last year come to mind)

* Double shows i.e. am/pm shows - not many here in Vic

* Shady grounds in summer

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* Aisles around the rings and also running back to those poor souls not fortunate enough to be front row!

* Not having to hike a mile to the toilet

* Ring ropes on the ground

* Decent coffee

* Being allowed to set up on all sides of the ring

* Decent car parking i.e. not a boggy mess (Henty/Tumut last year come to mind)

* Double shows i.e. am/pm shows - not many here in Vic

* Shady grounds in summer

Ring ropes on the ground is a great idea! With a toy breed your eye tends to be looking at the ground more than anything and I have seen a few people have near misses.

Another one I have seen is people nearly running into is gazeebos set up inside the ring. Having them set up just inside the ring for those waiting in the race is fine but maybe make the legs a bit more obvious to avoid crashes.

One thng I would love to see in North Tassie is a ground with indoor facilities but I know that is just not possible at the moment :(

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Following from from Stolz Rotties comments about the Champion class as a suggestion to improve/maintain show numbers, I thought I'd start this thread up to figure out what makes some shows popular (and therefore what folk want at a show).

* Decent grounds. They don't have to look like the 18th hole at Atlanta with matching clubhouse but something you're not going to get bogged in or that your dog has to tip toe through to avoid the prickles is great. Big thumbs up to Bemboka for moving their venue to Nimmitabel due to prickles last year. :( That would be in an ideal world though.

Actually my parents and I were on the Committee of a Club that was also in that ideal world and ticked all of the above boxes.

That should have been Augusta by the way.. I'm no golfer. :cheers:

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I am definitely on board what everyone says about Judges!

Definitely likes a Judge that knows what they are looking for and understand every breed standard! I think a great day can one one where the judge are very friendly and seem to thoroughly enjoy their appointment and are confident about their choices! I also tend to prefer more local and interstate judges, as I have found a good chunk of international judges decision seems to be all over the place and some I have found to waffles over their choices!

Another thing is fantastic steward! There is a few I have come across that always has a smile on their face and would always talks to anyone! When both Judges and Stewards both work together and has a lot of fun, it makes the entire day more enjoyable, especially when you go into the ring! A recent show I did last month was a great show!

I believe a steward should make sure the judges are CLEAR on their decision!! One show I just did gone left me baffled as the judge was not clear on his decision, I saw him point to my dog and said "That dog" and then proceed to shake the other exhibitor's hand was awarded for the class.

Sun and Outdoors show! It almost like a day of camping watching everything at the ring side from the gazebo!

I also like doing a few shows over one weekend, especially 2!

Country shows absolutely! Especially easy driving distance! I think there should be a show down Dromana or Rosebud way!! A show by the beaches! :(

I definitely agree on surfaces at the show! The last 2 country shows I did at Warragul and Bunyip left me out of breath when I got to the ringside and got to my car with all our stuff! Gotta tell you some shows certainly like to give their exhibitors a work out!!! I even thought I lost weight I had to tighten my belt up a bit more! :)

Food and Hot Chocolate!! :laugh:

---------------------------------

Curious question about Victorian Shows, How come we don't have a lot of "Cluster shows" like NSW and SA where they have 3 or 4 shows over a weekend? Particularly down at KCC? Is it due to excessive entries or is it just the way it is?

It'd be nice to have 3 shows on every weekend, and leave the option open to either enter or not! ;)

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I can't help but be amused by everyone's comments about Judges - surely a "good" judge in most people's eyes is one who has put their dog up :) but that would mean your competitors think the Judges are crap :laugh: . There has been nothing more disheartening than having a ring to have someone tell me that the Judge was useless and knew nothing, simply because THEIR dog didn't win.

I'm constantly told I'm ridiculously naive (and sadly by people who are very experienced showies OR Judges) but surely if the judging is as corrupt as people tell us there is no point in most of us showing at all.

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Of course I like the judges that pick my dogs :o

But on the other hand, there are judges I would definitely show under again despite not winning due to their manner in the ring. Being patient with new exhibitors, new babies and the ones who will take the time to give the same consideration to each dog, as well as letting people know why they've made the decisions they have.

That in my book, is a good judge. :)

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I can't help but be amused by everyone's comments about Judges - surely a "good" judge in most people's eyes is one who has put their dog up :o but that would mean your competitors think the Judges are crap :) . There has been nothing more disheartening than having a ring to have someone tell me that the Judge was useless and knew nothing, simply because THEIR dog didn't win.

There was an international judge at one of our shows recently where most exhibitors, even those he did not put up, sang his praises. He had excellent ringcraft, soft hands on the dogs, was well dressed, confident and paid attention to each dog. The first person who sang his praises on Facebook didn't win under him, and a number of people who also didn't win backed her up.

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I can't help but be amused by everyone's comments about Judges - surely a "good" judge in most people's eyes is one who has put their dog up :) but that would mean your competitors think the Judges are crap :) . There has been nothing more disheartening than having a ring to have someone tell me that the Judge was useless and knew nothing, simply because THEIR dog didn't win.

I'm constantly told I'm ridiculously naive (and sadly by people who are very experienced showies OR Judges) but surely if the judging is as corrupt as people tell us there is no point in most of us showing at all.

Actually I consider a good judge as one who will spend the same amount of time on my dogs as they do on other breeds. What makes them an excellent judge is if they know the breed and is able to tell me both good and bad points of the dog.

Even if we didn't win under a judge who knew the breed I would still consider them an excellent judge we just happened to be beaten by a better dog :o

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I can't help but be amused by everyone's comments about Judges - surely a "good" judge in most people's eyes is one who has put their dog up :) but that would mean your competitors think the Judges are crap :) .

A "good" judge IMO is one who win or lose you felt gave your dog due consideration, appeared to be making placements with some sort of rhyme or reason and who had good hands on a dogs. I hate rough judges, especially when they are rough with pups. As for "face" judging? Looking at the dog end of the lead is good start.

Judges who don't give every dog/breed a decent look won't win any accolades from me. Making group placements before every dog is in and stacked really irritates me.

Judges who don't put hands on any breed of dog raise my eyebrows. Ive seen an entire group judged in that manner.

A "great" judge puts my dog up! :o

Edited by poodlefan
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I can't help but be amused by everyone's comments about Judges - surely a "good" judge in most people's eyes is one who has put their dog up :) but that would mean your competitors think the Judges are crap :) . There has been nothing more disheartening than having a ring to have someone tell me that the Judge was useless and knew nothing, simply because THEIR dog didn't win.

There was an international judge at one of our shows recently where most exhibitors, even those he did not put up, sang his praises. He had excellent ringcraft, soft hands on the dogs, was well dressed, confident and paid attention to each dog. The first person who sang his praises on Facebook didn't win under him, and a number of people who also didn't win backed her up.

Actually I consider a good judge as one who will spend the same amount of time on my dogs as they do on other breeds. What makes them an excellent judge is if they know the breed and is able to tell me both good and bad points of the dog.

Even if we didn't win under a judge who knew the breed I would still consider them an excellent judge we just happened to be beaten by a better dog :o

I agree with the above plus -

I have entered under judges I have lost under before just because I know they pull a good entry and I enjoy watching them judge.

Nothing better then being at a show with friends, kicking back and watching a judges eyes light up when a good dog catches their eye.

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I'm constantly told I'm ridiculously naive (and sadly by people who are very experienced showies OR Judges) but surely if the judging is as corrupt as people tell us there is no point in most of us showing at all.

Under some judges there probably isn't - fortunately (or not) I'm not experienced enough yet to know who they all are.

Someone new to me with an honest rep when I ask around is enough for me to enter if the show is within a few hours drive - if they are said to be good on my breed I'll travel further.

If more than just a few people tell me a judge is facey or ignorant on my group or breed - well I'll still give them a go if the show is local and just see what they do. But I won't travel for them as the gossip is too often accurate.

Edited by Diva
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I can't help but be amused by everyone's comments about Judges - surely a "good" judge in most people's eyes is one who has put their dog up ;) but that would mean your competitors think the Judges are crap :) .

Judges who don't give every dog/breed a decent look won't win any accolades from me. Making group placements before every dog is in and stacked really irritates me.

:o Maybe that is my problem because that happens on a regular basis with Fauves - even the really good ones :) . Basset Fauve De Bretagne features pretty early in the group listings ;) but I have had numerous occasions where class in group was awarded before I'd taken more than a few steps into the ring :o . So, yes, I agree that a good judge is one who appears to know your breed and actually takes the time to look at them.

I suppose I'm just getting a little sick of hearing exhibitors constantly telling me that the Judge didn't know what they were talking about because their dog got dumped. :shrug:. Its a $10 opinion, sometimes you'll agree with it, sometimes you won't and its ridiculously childish to complain about it constantly. Though I will admit to being a little vocal (in an amused way) when a Judge told me "I've only seen the Petits of these"... :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: - Argh, they don't come in Petit :) . I always thought it was gobsmacking that I received any points that weekend as Marie is a crap PBGV :laugh:

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:) Maybe that is my problem because that happens on a regular basis with Fauves - even the really good ones :o . Basset Fauve De Bretagne features pretty early in the group listings ;) but I have had numerous occasions where class in group was awarded before I'd taken more than a few steps into the ring :) . So, yes, I agree that a good judge is one who appears to know your breed and actually takes the time to look at them.

I suppose I'm just getting a little sick of hearing exhibitors constantly telling me that the Judge didn't know what they were talking about because their dog got dumped. :laugh:. Its a $10 opinion, sometimes you'll agree with it, sometimes you won't and its ridiculously childish to complain about it constantly. Though I will admit to being a little vocal (in an amused way) when a Judge told me "I've only seen the Petits of these"... :o:rofl: :rofl: - Argh, they don't come in Petit :rofl: . I always thought it was gobsmacking that I received any points that weekend as Marie is a crap PBGV :)

Gee, if it happens to you with Basset Fauves, the Whippet folk can't even have got in there. ;)

Sometimes you do see dogs go up with features that are real faults in the breed - high stepping Whippets with a lot of knee action are one common example. I agree though, its a $10 opinion and if you want to see what a breed specialist thinks of your dog you have only to search them out. :shrug:

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So agree with all of the above... Trisven I can tell you that we frequently comment from inside and outside the ring that the judge didnt wait for the last exhibitor to even come to halt, much less watch them enter the ring before they have awarded a class in group ... but they have already judged every dog in the ring so should - in theory - already know what they want.

Sway - we often enter under judges who have done nothing for us before, primarily because they are judging at the local show, we rarely have the opportunity to travel long distances to shows and if that's whats on offer, that's what you take.

But over and above all that Trisven and many others will have heard OH comment many times... "Its only a $10 opinion and if you like that judge's opinion then you pay the $10 again... if you don't, then you don't enter under them again."

But lets face it ... most of us are arm chair experts ... how many of us can actually truely claim to know everything there is to know about every breed in our chosen group - much less be an AB judge. I sit ringside regularly and say - "I don't know anything about XYZ breed, but I know what my eye likes" ... and sometimes the judge and I agree, but just as frequently I am wrong. I often get runner up correct so I am happy with my arm chair knowledge.

Lets not lose sight of the fact that its a 'sport' or 'hobby' and I rarely take the deeds to our sheep station to a show with me....

But there are more things on a list for making a show popular than just the judges....

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