New Guidelines for Judging Challenge Classes and

Collections

Dr. Susan ClingenpeelDenver National Convention

June 29, 2008

What is a Challenge Class?An exhibit containing one or more specimens in one or multiple containers placed by the exhibitor.

Reasons for the revision

Simplify the judging process Improve clarification for new judgesStress the importance of individual bloomsEqualize judging of stemmed and nonstemmed exhibitsAddress classes not included in current Guidelines for Judging Roses

Old Method of Challenge Class Point Scoring- stemmed classes

Each bloom in entry receives:

100 points/bloom used for horticultural excellence

10 points/bloom used for overall appearance

Example

Collection of 3 Blooms:3 X 100 = 300 points for Horticultural excellence3 X 10 = 30 points for overall appearanceEach entry in the class has a potential of 330 points

300 out of 330 points (90.9 %) for horticultural excellence30 out of 330 points (9.1%) for overall appearance of the exhibit

Old Method of Challenge Class Point Scoring-

Blooms Without Stems

Each bloom in entry receives: 70 points/bloom used for horticultural excellence

40 points/bloom used for overall appearance(the 30 points that went to stem and foliage and balance and proportion are assigned to “overall appearance”)

Example

Miniflora English Box:

6 X 70 = 420 points for horticultural excellence

6 X 40 = 240 points for overall appearance

420 out of 660 points (63.6 %) for horticultural excellence

70 out of 660 points (36.4%) for overall appearance of the

exhibit

Old Method:DISPARITY!!!

Non-stemmed challenge classes receive 4 times more points (36.4% vs. 9.1 %) for appearance than stemmed classes!

Goal of the challenge class revision is to

alleviate this incongruity

And (most importantly) create……

Happy Judges!!!

and Happy Exhibitors!!!

Revisions approved 6/27/08 by the ARS Board of Directors:

The new wording in Guidelines for Judging Roses is:

The most important factor in judging challenge classes and collections is the horticultural excellence of the individual specimens, which is assigned 80% of the overall score. Each specimen is judged using the 6 prime elements of judging (form, color, substance, size, stem and foliage, and balance and proportion). Each specimen counts equally. Overall appearance is assigned 20% of the overall score. Merit is awarded to the uniformity in size, degree of opening, form of the specimens, stem length and to the overall appearance of the specimens.  

80% Horticultural Excellence!

20% Overall Appearance

How should we approach judging challenge classes?

Step 1

Do not touch any entry.

Step 2

Review the schedule for class requirements.

•Number of specimens required•Classification of roses•Same or different varieties?•Exhibition stage of the entries

Step 3

Review the entries to make sure each meets class requirements

Step 4

Assess each bloom in the entry for horticultural excellence

•Form•Color •Substance •Size•Stem & Foliage•Balance & Proportion

Step 5Assess overall appearance of the entry

•Uniformity of form, size, stem length and degree of opening•Overall placement of the specimens•Use of harmonious and complementary colors (if multiple varieties) or matching of colors (if one variety is called for)

Judging Classes with foliage

One Specimen Challenge Class

Matched Pairs

Cycle of Bloom

Specimens of same or different varieties in one

container

Same or Different VarietiesSeparate

Containers

Use of Minifloras and Miniatures in the same class

Judging Classes without Stems

Revisions approved 6/27/08 by the ARS Board of

Directors:

Each individual specimen is evaluated for horticultural excellence. The points for each bloom are assigned using the prime elements of judging applicable to bloom, i.e. form, color, substance, and size. Because there are no points applicable to stem and foliage and to balance and proportion, each of the prime elements of judging applicable to a bloom is relatively more important in determining the points applicable to horticultural excellence.

Fragrance Class

No Changes in Guidelines

70% on Fragrance 30% Horticultural Excellence

* Some show schedules judge 100% on fragrance. If this is the standard used the ARS Fragrance certificate may NOT be awarded

Best in Show

What it should be:• An award that judges take time and care to determine!!!• An outstanding specimen or exhibit (depending on schedule rules) that exceeds normal standards for how that particular classification is exhibited.

•An exhibit that a judge thinks “that is the best (fill in the blank) I have ever seen”!

What it should not be:•An award given to the largest, showiest entry on the table.•An award given to a particular classification favored by a judge.

The EndQuestions ???