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Post by homecounties on Mar 9, 2011 15:20:59 GMT
This is a moan to show organisers, this is why it's hard for you to get judges>>>>
We give up a days showing, and being with our families to stand in the ring often.. all day judging, for FREE... we don't get paid.
Some days I leave at 4am to get to a show for a 8am class, and get back at home late evenings after sitting on the motorway for hours.
On arrival to a show, no tea or coffee organised.. and certainly no breakfast,, who can eat at 4am??
Tea is acceptable in a plastic cup, but please, a nice mug would be better.
I have been soaked thru to my underwear in heavy rain, with no place to change or the offer of a towel! Think we are human.
Judges lunches are often something from a burger van, or served in a grubby filthy caravan,
We don't eat like this at home and we don't when out.
We only go the once, and we do tell our fellow judges.. so unless your prepared to organise a decent lunch and desert for your judges, don't ask a panel Judge, it's an insult to us for giving you our day.
I personally would rather stay home and poo pick.
If you do a good lunch, and tea on arrival, you will always get judges...FACT.
If we keep your secretarys tent free from complaints, please honour us with a thankyou and renumeration for our fuel without a fight...
Thank you.
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Nikki
Newbie
2 horse woman thses days!! TEAM STEFAN!!!!
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Post by Nikki on Mar 9, 2011 15:27:20 GMT
Wow someones on one today lol. I am a steward for people and I HAVE stod in the freezing rain and wind for HOURS and endured the same as a judge and i am happy with a cup of tea no matter WHAT the cup and a hot roll. I have gotten changed in toilets when i have been wet not given some heated area like a changing room. Yes your giving up your time but so ar organisers and secretaires they dont get paid for it either, so maybe think a little about all the organisation that goes on before a show before you turn up  The weeks of planning, sourcing a venue, sorting out shcedules, sorting out entries before they even get to the sorting a judge out. Yes I can totally see your point but a cup of tea and a bite to eat I am sure you can sort out yourself |
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Post by ladybird on Mar 9, 2011 15:38:04 GMT
this thread should be interesting!!!
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Post by mcw on Mar 9, 2011 15:40:22 GMT
this thread should be interesting!!! indeed  |
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Post by pencaedu on Mar 9, 2011 15:48:48 GMT
As someone who has organised shows for our local pony club & (more recently) hunt for many years, I couldn't agree more.
I always go to a lot of trouble with the judges lunches - always a choice of 2 starters, mains & deserts - it's the least you can do when people are giving up their time for nothing.
We always appreciate judges who DON'T ask for mileage - they always get a bottle of wine or flowers anyway.
If you put yourself in their position & treat them as you would wish to be treated, you can't go far wrong!!
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Post by killqueen on Mar 9, 2011 17:18:21 GMT
i have just been reading in the moaners area about Judge's and Lunche's, Would just like to say at our club on arrival or judge;s are offered a hot drink and a sandwich ie Bacon, egg, etc, for lunch they are offered a range or hot meal's all home cooked, plus dessert another drink hot or cold, we also offer another to take back to the ring with them, some decline other's dont , we also ask our steward's to ask the judge if they'd like a drink wether it's a cold day or a hot day, On the plus side we have not once had a complaint At our club we are alway's looking for judge's and you are all well fed |
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halfpass
Happy to help....a lot
Return of the Dame
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Post by halfpass on Mar 9, 2011 17:46:27 GMT
Core I'm coming to you.
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Post by thecremellosociety on Mar 9, 2011 17:57:19 GMT
We too offer breakfast ( toast, cereal, continental) plus a full buffet lunch by caterers at derby, you have to look after your judges.
again at notts derby my mum makes sure they are all well fed and watered, some clubs are less than perfect on hospitality.
We hope that by looking after them well they will return. Im sure any of the judges that have judged for us can reply on this ? Also we provide vegetarian option and have on occasion provided gluten free bread, we ask our judges if they have any special requirements upon booking x
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Post by thecremellosociety on Mar 9, 2011 17:59:18 GMT
Copied from another post ..... We too offer breakfast ( toast, cereal, continental) plus a full buffet lunch by caterers at derby, you have to look after your judges. again at notts derby my mum makes sure they are all well fed and watered, some clubs are less than perfect on hospitality. We hope that by looking after them well they will return. Im sure any of the judges that have judged for us can reply on this ? Also we provide vegetarian option and have on occasion provided gluten free bread, we ask our judges if they have any special requirements upon booking x Read more: horsegossip.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=76630#ixzz1G7trlibX |
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halfpass
Happy to help....a lot
Return of the Dame
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Post by halfpass on Mar 9, 2011 18:17:43 GMT
I agree about the lunches, I agree about the paying travailing expenses, but somewhere warm to change when you get wet is going a bit OTT, most show are in the middle of fields so I'm not sure were they would find this heated area.
So if you can get your heated drying area I would like;
Air conditioned room for the hot days
Nice young men in blue thongs to mop my fevered brow when can't get to the air con room
White Lillie's everywhere to take away the smell of sweaty ponies
A couple of burly bodyguards to keep away irate owners of the above smelly ponies
A psychiatrist to tell me that I'm not loosing my marbles when the above owners tell me that the pony I have just placed last with perfect conformation has in fact got both front legs coming out the same knicker hole and is so long that the backend is still trotting in the next county trying to catch up with the front.
Oh and to finish off the day a car to take me to the nearest airport and enough tickets to take me and the blue thonged lovelies to a holiday destination of my choice to get over the whole experience
So secretaries you have my wants for coming to your show to judge lets see how many ask me. ;D
That should make judging a very enjoyable experience.
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Post by thecremellosociety on Mar 9, 2011 18:22:22 GMT
lol had to giggle at that half pass shall i put yor suggestions to our chairman lol
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Post by killqueen on Mar 9, 2011 18:41:27 GMT
we do have 1 judge that love's jellie's ( snake's and dummy's ) so we get a extra supply when he come's
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sarahp
Happy to help
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Post by sarahp on Mar 9, 2011 18:57:03 GMT
Nikki - there is a difference - stewards and other helpers at a particular show are normally recruited from people with a loyalty to that particular show, whereas judges usually (not local shows I admit) come from outside the area and are giving their time for the good of the sport in general, not that one show. I dressage write, but for the local unaff series, RC, PC, NPS Addington - all of which I have ties to - but not Uncle Tom Cobley and all miles away! And always been well looked after too I'm pleased to say, but I can see homecounties' point, if she has a lousy and uncomfortable day why should she bother again with that show when others may well treat her better?
halfpass I don't think we could have run to all that in the days I helped run a show!
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Post by homecounties on Mar 9, 2011 18:59:54 GMT
Love the replies, I was chuffed to bits to see you look after your judges, it makes our decision that much fairer you know a decent cup of tea...
I would like some invites up in the Midlands and the North please and lets economise, on expenses, Pony club Friday and two shows over the weekend...
Then back down south...
The last show my sister an I judged at we were given plastic containers with a pick n mix from the salad bar, the girl threw down som plastic knives and forks on the grubby plastic table, bacteria galore.... and then said there is a choice of puddings, an array of sainsburys, budget cakes, and that was it, 4 judges got up smiled asked for expenses and we all left.
The afternoon classes were judged by anyone...
and I bet they did'nt get lunch... this was in Caterham Surrey.
This is how shows were in the 50's and 60's not expected in 2010,2011..
I have to say judging in Europe has it's advantages, they put on a banquet and it food heaven in France... hence we will soon be known as the two fat judges...ha ha..
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Post by armada on Mar 9, 2011 19:00:08 GMT
You do tend to remember the shows with good lunches, and always enjoy a return fixture.
A lot of the little unaff shows are often short handed, so after a morning of judging and stewarding yourself, the lure of a good sit down tuck in with proper crockery and cutlery and a decent spread is most welcome.
I can only think of one where the food is really dire from the burger van, so mostly I take a nice salad or something and sit in the car and eat it, but they do pay by the hour for your judging, so I forgive that.
I only remember one individual who was doing the lunches at one show refusing to serve me a coffee before I started, and I went back to the show sec and said I was not starting my first class until I'd had a coffee.
For our own Association shows, we have professional catering for the summer show, and for the spring and autumn shows food is mostly brought in by our Chairmans daughter who is a Cordon Bleu cook, and heated on the preminses, either in the office or another room at the venue, or in someones lorry, last spring it was ours, with my mum serving up in a heated environment with comfy seats, the only down side was me and my helpers constantly unloading and re-loading ponies in the back!!
I have seen judges who have judged for us making pleasing comments on here and other forums, Mr Robert Parker-Jones always makes a point of thanking shows publicly for his splendid lunches which is nice to see.
We do our best, we owe it to judges as they do give so much time, and yes, where the tuck is concerned, word spreads - good and bad!!
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halfpass
Happy to help....a lot
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Post by halfpass on Mar 9, 2011 19:13:14 GMT
It was worth a try sarah,
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Post by pencaedu on Mar 9, 2011 19:17:50 GMT
Trust you halfpass. That cheered me up after the terrible news about the M4 accident. By the way - you're booked for the 2nd July - would red thongs be acceptable?  |
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Post by my little pony on Mar 9, 2011 19:23:30 GMT
i agree with all the above comments i tend to judge up and down the country i remember more the food than the show its is so nice to be offered a hot home cooked meal or even a sandwich than a burger from the burger van, it not only shows that you have taken time and effort to host the judge but the show has gone that extra mile.
i will never forget a rather large county show that i judge at although it was a very hot day i never once got offerd a drink of water or anything i had 1 hour break for lunch and that was only because they needed the ring to host the donkey classes i was their from 8am till 7.00pm
never again will i go back to that show // and yes to the show that started this thread i do
like the jellies and you do know how to look after judges lol.
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halfpass
Happy to help....a lot
Return of the Dame
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Post by halfpass on Mar 9, 2011 19:25:37 GMT
OOOooooo yes, put the date in my diary, do I get to pick the lovelies in the red thongs
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Post by armada on Mar 9, 2011 19:48:00 GMT
Love the replies, I was chuffed to bits to see you look after your judges, it makes our decision that much fairer you know a decent cup of tea... I would like some invites up in the Midlands and the North please and lets economise, on expenses, Pony club Friday and two shows over the weekend... Then back down south... The last show my sister an I judged at we were given plastic containers with a pick n mix from the salad bar, the girl threw down som plastic knives and forks on the grubby plastic table, bacteria galore.... and then said there is a choice of puddings, an array of sainsburys, budget cakes, and that was it, 4 judges got up smiled asked for expenses and we all left. The afternoon classes were judged by anyone... and I bet they did'nt get lunch... this was in Caterham Surrey. This is how shows were in the 50's and 60's not expected in 2010,2011.. I have to say judging in Europe has it's advantages, they put on a banquet and it food heaven in France... hence we will soon be known as the two fat judges...ha ha.. Oh gosh, I know that show! You've just jogged my memory, yes you can pick what you want out of the lucky sainsburys carrier, and then scrabble for a plastic fork, I take my own napkin and spare fork to that one. A decent lunch would at least give you some will to live after suffering the most appalling standard of animals and riding there. |
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Post by ladywell on Mar 9, 2011 19:55:46 GMT
Halfpass - brilliant - really made me laugh. I judge locally for a few riding clubs - don't expect payment, travelling or food. I do it because I love it and it was where I learnt many years ago. I love encouraging youngsters and giving them tips as to how they can improve. I appreciate that if you have travelled a long way that you need to fed but, to be honest, show secs have a lot more to deal with than feeding judges - why not take a picnic? |
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Post by bigmama on Mar 9, 2011 20:36:51 GMT
bsps area 2a always put on a great spread for both judges and sponsors ... thanks, i do believe, to Mrs Duncalf |
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Post by hursty100 on Mar 9, 2011 20:52:13 GMT
I'm having a little giggle about this, all the judges i have say that i over feed them lol. My mums sends them home with her cakes! they have tea and coffee served to the rings as ofetn as they like and have a hearty lunch ready for them in the unch break. My shows well known for my mums cakes lol. |
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Post by ponymum on Mar 9, 2011 22:10:43 GMT
Ribble valley used to do a fabulous buffet for the judges! Yes it is funny how you remember where you've had a lovely lunch!!
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Post by gypsy1 on Mar 9, 2011 22:56:39 GMT
We try to look after our judge s , having been on the other side .
Drinks hot and cold are offered al teh time and lunch is anything off the menu in the clubhouse and at the end of their judging expenses are paid alongside wine and chocolates .
You ahve to look after judges !!!!
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Post by robertparkerjones on Mar 10, 2011 0:17:52 GMT
I think shows do a fantastic job!! I think hospitality at shows is amazing. The smaller shows do an amazing job producing a feast in difficult conditions. There shouldn't be people complaining..... if you aren't happy a polite comment with suggestions for improvement would be appropriate!!
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Post by robertparkerjones on Mar 10, 2011 0:33:21 GMT
Interesting!!!!!!!!! You have been very unlucky Homecounties. In 2010 I judged at 42 shows from Riding Club shows to HOYS and have no complaints to make on the hospitality offered. Admittedly quite a variety of venues and menus but all extremely acceptable. Always offered travelling expenses (sometimes the comment made "are you sure thats enough?") Never failing thanks for your time and your hard work. Always willing (when not too busy taking late entries or giving out numbers) to listen to suggestions that may prove beneficial to the show. I enjoy what I do and always let people know how much I have enjoyed my day!!! We do work hard, but personally I wouldn't change a thing...... have made so many friends at shows and always look forward to seeing them again!!! THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!
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Post by janetbushell on Mar 10, 2011 6:50:40 GMT
I quite agree with Robert Parker Jones - I haven't counted my judging appointments for last year but if you include stewarding etc I get very few weekends off so homecounties you must have been very unlucky indeed.
However I also believe as a judge I am there to do a job & not to be waited on hand and foot and as a steward I try my best to look after everyone in my ring - but occasionally events prevent me becoming a full time catering assistant. If it is bad weather everyone is in the same boat from the show organisers, stewards, judges and the competitors - horses are hardly an indoor hobby!
We all have the early starts, long journeys, motorway frustrations but I consider it an honour to have been asked and like Robert find my days sometimes exhausting but wonderful experiences and I also wouldn't change a thing.
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Post by homecounties on Mar 10, 2011 10:22:16 GMT
Wow that got everyone going, thanks for replies, the best lunches,
I still attend these shows, and enjoy standing for hours, being kept warm with a cuppa soup in snow, rain, 100 degrees, knowing there will be a decent loo, and Lunch and a smile of thanks form all, I am really honestly easily pleased.
I have a brilliant photo of my sister a judge tucking into her crap judges lunch, no idea how to put on a photo, help this old girl....
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Post by iluvmyponies on Mar 10, 2011 10:22:30 GMT
Having stewarded at a local RC last season, they treat their judges as friends. At the coffee brake, I run over to the burger van, get about 15 cups of coffee & all of the judges, stewards & secretaries sit in the office & have a good chat. At the lunch break, again, I run over to the burger van, grab some coffee & get the judges some food, whether that is chips, a Bacon balm, a sandwich etc etc. None of them have ever complained about the food/hospitality. Fair enough at county level, judges would expect a better meal, but a nice Bacon balm is lovely |
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