judges behavior...something to think about

justme · Sep 7, 2011

This is something I've observed more and more the past couple years, and having a husband on a fairboard, we've heard numerous complaints on this. Thought it would intice some good discussion.

What do you think of judges who after a show goes out and parties and enjoys the evening at the "winners" campers? Even some getting drunk?

I honestly think they are to be like a ref. in a ball game. Do your job then head out. A ref. doesn't hang out in the winning teams locker room afterwards. I don't think these families "cheated", but do you think this is a good example for the young kids at the show?

Just thought it would get some discussion going! Golly, don't say I'm a sore looser ect. As a fairboard members wife, many feel they can tell me a complaint and I should pass it along. Other fairboard members who don't show much, or kids are not showing anymore thought it wasn't a big deal, just asking for your 2 cents.

vc · Sep 7, 2011

I have no problem with the judges going out after the Market show with the Livestock office people for dinner and a little entertainment, (they usually go to the next county just to avoid problems) I do not think they should go to the winners camp/ dinner, just does not look good. We live in Southern California, our fair is on the coast, the judges bring their families if they have one and spend a couple of days here. Our fair is in July the average Temp at the fair is probably between 74 - 80 each day, the judges last year were all from much warmer states, they tend to enjoy their stay in the mild climate. The judges with families go see some of the other attractions in the area. Our judges have to be here more than one day, We move in on Monday, market is either Tuesday or Wednesday depending on if you are FFA or 4-H, Champion Drive is Thursday, Showmanship is Friday. Judges come in on Monday and leave Saturday or Sunday, Ii have seen them cruising around during the auction which is on Saturday. Some have even stuck around to Judge Round Robbin which is usually Sunday.
They are going to be around the fair for awhile, I do not have a problem with them talking to exhibitors or their families after the show just not before. Most judges like to talk livestock and when your around as long as ours they are going to be seen talking to people.

justme · Sep 7, 2011

I have no problem with them enjoying the fair and talking to people. I don't like "partying" and spending the whole evenings with winners. Makes the fair look bad, and parents were upset with the drinking in front of exhibitors. Heaven knows I'm no angel, but there is a time and place to enjoy a beverage

pds · Sep 7, 2011

I have to agree they should come in judge the show take some pics and leave. This way it avoids the rumer mill at the fairs and makes everything more profesional

Show Dad · Sep 7, 2011

justme said:
Heaven knows I'm no angel, but there is a time and place to enjoy a beverage

But Red is there pulling for you! (Red: God, she really is a good gal. Here have a cookie. God: Good cookie.) ;D

CAB · Sep 7, 2011

Not really like what you are describing, but @ our county fair after it's all over with, PPL donate and we go buy a bunch of pizza, pop, & beer and everyone is welcome to come sit and visit. I love it after a day a competition to sit and visit about the day and whatever else may come up. Sometimes it's the only time for the year that I get a chance to see & visit with a lot of these neighbors. I know that this is quite different than what you are saying Justme, but possibly you can change the situation, to something similar without much work in doing so. I wouldn't want to see a drunken party, but a couple of beers over conversation is not all bad IMO.

twistedhshowstock · Sep 7, 2011

As a judge I tend not to stick around much, but I am more than happy to answer questions for families or give advice to them. But I tend not to go have dinner or party with the exhibitors. It is inevitable that if you judge shows a lot in a particular area that you are going to get to know some of the exhibitors that you see at a lot of shows, or if you are active in the industry and the exhibitors are active in the industry its likely you may already know some of them. I dont think this is an issue as long as the judge is fair in the way he places the classes. People learn pretty quickly when they show under me that I dont care who you are or who bred or sold you the animal, the animal that I would take home and put in my herd first is the one that is going to win. I have alienated some good friends in the past because their kids didnt do well under me, was accused of not using their animal simply to avoid the rumor mill, but the simple fact was they didnt bring me the best animals that day. I also caught a lot of flack about 6 yrs ago judging a county show in southern MS because I used the County Agent's (who hired me) daughter to win the hog show, was never invited back, but plain and simple fact was the barrow she drove that day blew the rest of them out of the water. I think the barrow went on to be a division champ at Dixie Nationals. So I dont regret my decision that day.
I always go into a show I judge with the attitude that I have to leave there that day confident and happy with the way I placed the animals, cant please em all!

Moezmom · Sep 7, 2011

I have to agree...partying at the winners camper just doesn't look right, and as a judge how things look to the contestants is important. I have judged nonlivestock competitions and found sometimes it was nice to stay and socialize after the event is over, but I always made sure to mingle with all of the compeditors that stayed not just the winner. It is so demoralizing to a kid, who puts their all into a contest, only to feel like they weren't fairly judged in the end.

willow · Sep 7, 2011

I believe that it is a free country and people should be able to do what they wish, but it looks sooo bad when things like that happen. It just looks bad. It looks even worse when the judge is "dinner partying" with the family that happens to win the show three hours later. It doesn't mean the show is rigged or whatever you want to call it. It just looks bad! Like everyone else said there is a time and a place. I think any judge trying to keep a professional image should refrain from to much interaction with one specific family and should always keep his/her recreational beverages to a minimum when "on the job".

CAB · Sep 7, 2011

I should clarify some.I can't remember any judges sticking around other than to answer a few questions then politely excusing themselves. I know, not the same thing Justme.

easttex · Sep 7, 2011

willow said:
I believe that it is a free country and people should be able to do what they wish, but it looks sooo bad when things like that happen. It just looks bad. It looks even worse when the judge is "dinner partying" with the family that happens to win the show three hours later. It doesn't mean the show is rigged or whatever you want to call it. It just looks bad! Like everyone else said there is a time and a place. I think any judge trying to keep a professional image should refrain from to much interaction with one specific family and should always keep his/her recreational beverages to a minimum when "on the job".

I feel the same way. Judges need to keep a professional image, but there's nothing wrong with hanging around and give families their opinions.

Mill Iron A · Sep 7, 2011

Twistedshowstock hit the nail on the head. As a judge I make it a point not to pay attention to anything but placing the animals. I am much more concerned about expressing my opinion and explaining my logic for placing the animals the way I did. I agree it is a free country but the professional way to judge is to show up to the fairgrounds only a short while before the show and afterwards there is nothing wrong with answering questions and talking a little bit but after that you need to leave. Even if you are judging the next day. I guess I should recant a little and say that I strongly believe that judging is also about developing future stockmen and just developing young people's life skills in general. I can tell you having strong opinions can get you in a lot of hot water as well. I don't mind explaining things to people afterwards but I never stick around long because it seems like thats about the time that the people that are really angry about something approach you and then it all goes downhill from there.

knabe · Sep 7, 2011

i'd be more worried about people who are not good on their word.

it's just a show.

beware of montana.

kfacres · Sep 8, 2011

twistedhshowstock said:
As a judge I tend not to stick around much, but I am more than happy to answer questions for families or give advice to them. But I tend not to go have dinner or party with the exhibitors. It is inevitable that if you judge shows a lot in a particular area that you are going to get to know some of the exhibitors that you see at a lot of shows, or if you are active in the industry and the exhibitors are active in the industry its likely you may already know some of them. I dont think this is an issue as long as the judge is fair in the way he places the classes. People learn pretty quickly when they show under me that I dont care who you are or who bred or sold you the animal, the animal that I would take home and put in my herd first is the one that is going to win. I have alienated some good friends in the past because their kids didnt do well under me, was accused of not using their animal simply to avoid the rumor mill, but the simple fact was they didnt bring me the best animals that day. I also caught a lot of flack about 6 yrs ago judging a county show in southern MS because I used the County Agent's (who hired me) daughter to win the hog show, was never invited back, but plain and simple fact was the barrow she drove that day blew the rest of them out of the water. I think the barrow went on to be a division champ at Dixie Nationals. So I dont regret my decision that day.
I always go into a show I judge with the attitude that I have to leave there that day confident and happy with the way I placed the animals, cant please em all!

I agree with this 100%. I could say the same.... However, I know that in my past judging experience, I have gone after the show to visit with the superintent, or other people that I knew for a while after the show. If they aren't showing, I don't see any reason not to. I mean, they are the people who hired you-- so you should be polite...

Now on the opposite, I've been part of the hiring of a judge, and find it rude as hell when a friend gets hired, and they don't stick around to chit chat...

aj · Sep 8, 2011

I think you would need to be drunk to be a judge.

justme · Sep 8, 2011

knabe said:
i'd be more worried about people who are not good on their word.

it's just a show.

beware of montana.

Once again Knabe, you have me scratching my head lol

aj · Sep 9, 2011

Knabe........the eagle has landed.......2 dot montana.......I repeat........TWO DOT MONTANA! stay safe my friend!

aj · Sep 9, 2011

anatnoM......the Musselshell is running backwards. I repeat......the Musselshell IS running backwards.

judges behavior...something to think about

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