First show disappointment, normal?

[Gray Farms]

Oh I know! I'll try to muster up the courage. I realized today the judge is some big wig in the APA so now I'm embarrassed twice as much.

Maybe get his phone number and call him later. So you don't have to ask in front of everybody. Or catch him at the snack shack and buy him a drink.

 

[Gray Farms]

So would that disqualify him for AOV classes?

Pretty much ya. He doesn't really fit any variety completely.

 

[gtaus]

I suppose all judges have their own personality. How much time would it take for the judge to thank you for showing your bird and then letting you know why it did not meet the standard? I don't show my birds, and I only have a passing idea of what the standard is for each breed I own. At any rate, you can still enjoy your beautiful boy and next time pick a better representative of the breed standard for their class. I hope you don't give up after this first experience. Live and learn.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

He is a beautiful bird and your pic looks like a painting!
I'm sorry your first time at a showing was disappointing for you but ... every show after this will probably be an improvement! And if YOU are ever a judge you'll know how not to be.

 

[meldyrg]

I suppose all judges have their own personality. How much time would it take for the judge to thank you for showing your bird and then letting you know why it did not meet the standard? I don't show my birds, and I only have a passing idea of what the standard is for each breed I own. At any rate, you can still enjoy your beautiful boy and next time pick a better representative of the breed standard for their class. I hope you don't give up after this first experience. Live and learn.

Thank you so much!

 

[meldyrg]

He is a beautiful bird and your pic looks like a painting!
I'm sorry your first time at a showing was disappointing for you but ... every show after this will probably be an improvement! And if YOU are ever a judge you'll know how not to be.

Thank you I appreciate the nice words!

 

[ellend]

"A bigwig in the APA.." So what? I work with neurosurgeons. They aren't gods either! We're all just people, who have different skills and knowledge. Never be intimidated by someone's title. Asking questions is one way we ALL learn, and if he isn't respectful to YOU, then write him off as a jerk. A knowledgeable jerk, perhaps, but a jerk nonetheless.

 

[Mybackyardpeepers]

Yeah that was the most disappointing, I'm almost too embarrassed to ask him tomorrow.

Just depends how important it is to you. I personally would but I like criticism in order to learn my mistakes.

 

[ColtHandorf]

I think Gray farms covered it quite well, but I'll second it. While he is a very handsome cockerel, he isn't really a good fit for the AOV (all other varieties) Class. It's possible that his comb earned him the DQ but it's equally possible that it was his coloration.

Ameraucanas are show-able in eight different varieties: Black, Blue, Blue Wheaton, Brown Red, Buff, Silver, Wheaton, and White. Varieties not accepted into the APA Standard of Perfection like Lavender would be show-able in the AOV Class. Because his color doesn't follow any true pattern, the judge didn't examine him any closer.

Just like the Silver-laced Orpingtons I raise are not an APA accepted variety, they would need to be shown in the AOV class versus competing against their approved variety counterparts' class. However, because they are English rather than American-type it's possible they would be DQ-ed on type issues alone.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

So, has this happened to anyone else? How do I learn from this?

Thanks

Practice.
I usually recommend one attend several large shows before trying to show themselves.
Pick the brains of as many exhibitors as you can. They are usually forthcoming with advice. Especially seek advice from those showing the same breed and also query those judges.
Try to not be embarrassed. Everyone has to learn somehow.

I once had a gentleman (read that as moron) wanting to buy an adult trio of my birds. He was from Florida and wanted to show them. He criticized my birds from pictures but it became clear that he knew nothing about the breed. One complaint was that he liked birds' combs to be erect. So I then knew that he didn't know that virtually all Mediterranean class hens combs are supposed to flop over.
I think it is weird that someone doesn't want to put in the effort to breed for perfection and just wants to buy quality stock and complain about every little thing (including the price and shipping cost) that someone spent a decade or more to improve.