I am writing this a couple of days after judging at the Anglesey Agricultural Show where I could only admire the dedication and perseverance of the show enthusiasts. I was there on the second day of the show and in the morning the rain was lashing down after a lot of rain on the first day so the ground had already taken a pounding. I have to say it was like 'mud sailing' but despite these atrocious conditions together with the absence of livestock due to foot and mouth problems people were still flocking in. It had been so bad that some of the pigeons had needed to be moved around the marquee because the weight of the water had caused part of the roof to collapse. I'm pleased to say that the weather improved considerably in the afternoon so the perseverance of those attending was rewarded.
As to the birds themselves, judging at this time of year will always be conditioned by the state of the moult and although I strongly believe that 'type' should always come first, you can only judge what is in front of you on the day and not what might be in front of you if you were to judge the same birds in three months time.
I did not get a catalogue so have no exhibitors' names so a few general comments may be appropriate. The show was dominated by Show Racers and the Fancy Flying Breeds both in terms of numbers and quality. My Best Fancy was a beautifully presented West of England. I don't know how the owner gets them in such condition at this time of year but there were a number of them obviously belonging to the same person and a credit to him or her.This bird was Reserve Best in Show but was pipped for the overall best by a 2007 bred Red Chequer Show Racer Cock. He had type, feather and the excellent condition to go with it. A worthy winner but it was a close call. The 'pure' fancy breeds were low in numbers and to be honest were not particularly impressive. However a nice mealy Voorburg Cropper did come into the reckoning.
One disappointing aspect is the poor presentation of quite a number of exhibits.
I know that conditions on the day could have caused some soiling but I know the difference between this and dirt which is engrained and built up over a period of time. Dirty rings, dirty feet and badly soiled feathers are inexcusable. I won't give them a second look and neither should any self-respecting judge.
I will never understand people who give their money, time and effort in entering birds in this condition as it is a waste of all of them and does not give the bird any real chance. I do find it very sad that traditionally a judge would rarely have found an exhibit in this condition but these days they are becoming all too commonplace
