A Judge’s View By Pam Jensen, ALSA Level II Judge Reprinted from Llamas of Minnesota, January 2005 Hello fellow llama lovers!! To take from a popular seasonal story, “we all settled in for a long winter’s nap….” Don’t know about your farm, but we are definitely all tucked in for a long winter’s nap. Winter beds are enclosed, strawed heavily; feeders are full twice daily; the fall crias are wearing their winter jacks, and the pending winter moms are in the birthing barn area. Water tanks are all set up with heaters and trailer put away for the winter months. This off-season for us does not last as long as it used to. In the past it was from October until April or May. Now the off-season is from mid-November to March. Then we are showing again and traveling. Let me answer a couple of questions that I was asked at Grand Nationals this year…. Please be aware I am not the all knowing, all answers, etc. These are my opinions and replies to the questions I was asked: 1. What is going on with ALSA? Our show association, ALSA, is now 20 years old. I was fortunate enough to have shown in the very first ever ALSA show in May 1986. So I am older than dirt in the show ring, according to showing standards. Like all organizations, there are growing pains, changes required over a period of time, tweaking that goes on continually. ALSA recently underwent a drastic change on the Board of Directors. Our organization should be an organization that represents the members, not special interest groups, personal agendas, or the like. Hopefully our newly elected Board of Directors will work to represent the best interests of the members in all ways. I know that the Board members have dedicated themselves to this task and, as such, will make the necessary decision to head ALSA in a positive direction. Let’s all support our Board of Directors and move our organization forward. 2. What is this suri stuff? A good question…. Suri refers to the type of fiber on the llama. According to the standards determined when the suri class came aboard, there are five different types of lock structure that make up the suri class. This lock structure must be defined from the skin to the end of the lock. You have probably noticed that just before the class the judge is taking a detailed look at the fiber or lock structure on all animals entered in a suri class. If the lock structure is not there from skin to tip and if it is not all over the animal (the judge must check on the neck, shoulders, barrel, and hip area of the animal to determine if the lock structure is consistent all over the body), then the llama will not be allowed to be shown in a suri class. A true suri also has a narrow body frame and a narrower look all over. 3. How can the judging be so very different at Grand Nationals? Remember this is a three-judge system. True, there are very definite criteria that the judges use to determine what score each animal is given, but there is also an unknown quantity known as personal preference that cannot be avoided. We are judging using a subjective approach, comparing one animal to another. There is no “ideal” standard that we are judging against. As such, each judge has the known qualities that he or she is to look for, and then there is the added factor of what the particular judge does or does not feel makes a top animal. Take three different judges from three different parts of the country, add in the known qualities that they look for (i.e., conformation, movement, presence, topline, etc.), and then add in what they (perhaps unknowingly on their part) factor in as a personal preference, like, or dislike, and a score for each animal is arrived at as compared to the other animals in the class. Also, you have to factor in the particular judge’s points of emphasis. Some judges put more emphasis on correct topline, some on rear legs, some on front legs, some on balance, some on presence and style. It all comes into play. The one thing to remember is that no judge is perfect; we are all human and, as such, have human failings. As the statement was made a long time ago, “on any given day, in front of any given judge, an animal can place high, and on the next, in front of a different judge….” I have told lots of exhibitors that you are all champions to just make it to Nationals. Be proud that you qualified, relax, enjoy, and have fun. Next time may be your turn at Number 1, and the next person will wonder, “Why not me?” 4. What do you, personally as a judge, feel is most important in your placing at a show? Well, I am a leg and movement person, first and foremost. I like to see an animal that places those feet/legs correctly, so when viewed from the rear, I see two legs, not four. When viewed from the front, I see two legs, not four. I want those toes forward-pointing; I want that animal to move smoothly around the ring with no bouncing tail, no bouncing neck—that is, I want correct, fluid, and smooth movement on all four legs. Secondly, I want a nice level topline and a well balanced animal. I can accept a shorter neck if the animal is well balanced and moves correctly or a less-than-tabletop back line providing all other factors are correct. The last thing I ever look at is the wool coverage (bearing in mind that the animal is I the correct wool class to begin with and that I have not already moved this animal to a different wool class). So, my point of emphasis is correct legs and movement first and foremost and then topline and balance. This is my point of emphasis; a different judge may have different points of emphasis. That is enough to go on about for now. Have a good winter, stay warm and dry, and keep your eyes to the future and to shows. See you in the show ring. |
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