Putting On An NCS Affiliated Cockatiel Show
© 1998 by Keith A. Reimer
NCS State Coordinator for North Carolina
Raleigh-Durham Caged Bird Society
THE BEGINNING
Decide on a location for your show well in advance,
one year ahead if possible. Get a contract because it’s tough later to
remember the details if you don’t have them written down in a contract,
or if the hotel wants to renege on something. Decide which NCS judge
you would like to invite to judge your show and contact him/her well in
advance, again one year ahead if possible. The club should be prepared
to pay the travel expenses, lodging, and food for the Judge, and any
judging fee involved (ask the judge what this will be). It is
preferable that your show be in the hotel you’ve selected so the
exhibitors can get settled in., or if need be, the show hall should be
within a reasonable distance from the motel. Send your exhibitors and
Judge a map marked with both locations and necessary phone numbers. At
show time arrange for someone to pick up the Judge at the airport and to
take them back when the show is over.
Appoint a Show Chairman who will be responsible for
overseeing all aspects of the show. Since this is a big job, that person
may wish to appoint committee members to handle various areas of
responsibility. Your club may or may not elect to have a Hospitality Room
open the evening before the show so everyone can get together to get
acquainted. This could be as simple or elaborate (food) as you wish to
make it.
SETTING UP THE SHOW PLACE
Obviously, the
first thing you need is a place to hold the show. The ideal facility
should be easy to locate, all on the ground floor to avoid exhibitors
carting cages up and down stairs. It needs to accommodate the less
athletic exhibitors, easy to clean, free of drafts but well ventilated
and large enough to accommodate the holding areas, judging areas and
audience without creating a fire hazard. Be sure when you are setting up
the show that you do not block the exits and that there is a
clear path for everyone to escape in case of fire. Another
consideration related to fire hazards and in regard to the birds’ health
is to prohibit smoking in the show hall. If the show is an
all-bird show, you will need separate areas for some types of birds.
For example, some exhibitors feel their cockatiels are upset by the
close proximity to large hook bills.
Perhaps the most
important consideration is the staging. Many clubs have a judging
show bench construction to “knock down” and store flat. Ideally, the
judging bench should have at least two shelves high enough for
the judge to see the birds without bending over at approximately eye level
and have space long enough for ten standard size cockatiel show cages to
line up. Spacing between top and bottom shelves should be wide enough to
place show boxes from the back. Extra lighting should be suspended
above the stands to insure proper vision without glare or shadows. The
cages of cockatiels can be kept on tables of any height until they are
brought to the judging bench. Chairs to accommodate viewers should be set
up in front of the judging bench with room for the judge and
steward to move. Judging is done in front of the viewers so they may hear
the comments the Judge makes concerning the birds and his selections.
CATALOGS, NOTICES & AWARDS
Many
clubs reproduce the entire NCS Standard in their show catalogs,
which is an excellent idea. The NCS definition of a Novice
should be included as well to insure that novices know who they are and
to include a large “N” on their birds’ show tags. It is also a
good idea to include what constitutes a Minor Show and a Major Show
and what is required to make a Champion and Grand Champion
cockatiel. Your NCS affiliated club will receive a copy for an NCS ad,
which is also a Membership Application. This is for your use to insert
in your show catalog also. Most importantly, your catalog should
contain the Cockatiel Division SECTIONS. These list all the
categories by which the birds will be judged and is a must because it
gives all the necessary information that the exhibitor must have in
order to fill out their Show tags. It is a good idea to have one
Section for Novice (Sections 1-7) and a second one for
Advanced (Sections 8-14). In this way there will be no margin for
error of repetitious show tag numbers.
Show catalogs can be made available for
mailing to exhibitors a month or two before the show but if time does not
permit, they must be available at the show for the exhibitor’s use in
completing their show tags.
If your club’s
budget permits, it is a good idea to get some advertising of your show in
your local newspapers and on radio stations. It is also a good idea to
have a banner or a sign of some sort outside the show hall, which will
direct people into the show.
Your NCS Show Awards
are based on which level your club decides to affiliate. There are two
phases of club affiliation with the NCS. The first affiliation is a
requirement to affiliate your club with NCS. This is due shortly after
the first of each year. If and when the club decides to have a NCS
sanctioned show, then the second affiliation must be sent in 120 days
prior to show in order to advertise the show in the NCS Journal. If your
club wishes to affiliate both the club and for a show at the same time at
the beginning of the year, it is quite acceptable. Please note the cost
differences in the Show affiliations prices and the awards to be included
in each of the three different levels of NCS show affiliations.
Your club may wish
to supplement these awards with additional ribbons, trophies and/or
plaques for additional winning places with your club and date added. Many
clubs wish to present ribbons for Best in Section; One through Tenth Place
- Novice, and the Same for the Ten Best in Show placements. Some even
present 1-10 Best Advanced. It is acceptable to offer ribbons for only
the higher placements. If deciding which ribbons or trophies to provide,
it is always important to see that the top ten novice exhibitors receive
award ribbons. Advanced exhibitors place less importance on receiving
multiple ribbons and you may wish to cut down on the advanced awards.
The show tags and
entry exhibitor’s forms may be obtained from:
* Kaytee Products
- (800) 669-9580
* Roudybush Products
- (800) 326-1726
* Scott Pet Products
- (765) 569-4636.
You will need
folding banquet tables (2’6” to 3’ wide and
preferably 8’ long) upon which to place your show benches and set up a
holding area where birds in the show boxes are put until being brought up
for judging. The show bench area will require two tables, another table
will be needed for the show secretary and a minimum of 4-8 will be needed
for the “holding area” behind the show stage to place the birds to be
exhibited. If the show is expected to be a large one, more tables will be
needed.
You should have a bank of 2 or 3 pairs of 4’ fluorescent lights,
preferably full spectrum, above and to the front of the show bench.
THE STEWARDS
Stewards are responsible to make sure all entries
are properly classified and that the show tags and entry forms are
filled out completely and accurately. Select at least one steward who
knows enough about cockatiels to identify all of the varieties in case
an exhibitor has accidentally misclassified an entry. It is helpful to
have at least two stewards for setting up the birds for exhibition in
the back area and one or two knowledgeable helpers to check in the birds
in the front area. These helpers should be familiar with the various
classifications in order to check the entry tags against the exhibitor’s
entry form for any possible errors. The helpers (stewards) should check
the entries in by verifying the type of cockatiels and its
classification according to the club’s show catalog. If a bird must be
reclassified, be sure to note any changes on the show tag, the
exhibitor’s copy of the entry form and the official copy that goes to
the secretary. Also check to be sure the cage tag numbers match with the
exhibitor’s entry form. All exhibitors should be asked if they
are novices, if there is any doubt. If they don’t know, they
probably are. Be sure the stewards know the definition of a
novice.
When deemed correct, initial each original copy of
the exhibitor form and turn over to the Show secretary for her/him to
post the cage tags on the work sheets. The yellow and pink copies are
the property of the exhibitor and will be required by them to check out
their birds at end of day. The show tags must be stapled shut to cover
the exhibitor’s identifying information. This can be done by the front
helpers, or if preferred the back stewards may wish to do this. Check
with the back stewards on their preference.
Be careful when handling show cages not to disturb
the birds more than necessary. Poor handling can make a bird more
nervous than it already is which will affect deportment and thereby its
chances on the top bench. Seed should be allowed only on the floor of
the show cage. Waterers may be left in the cages but all other items
must be removed from the cage before the bird entered. NCS sells clear
waterers made to fit in the show cage. The waterers should be located 5
spaces in from the right of the show cage.
Group the cages by section numbers aligning up
in class numbers as the birds are checked in. Novice birds must
be in one area, the advanced birds kept together in another.
Rope off the area where the birds are being
held prior to judging. The public should not be allowed in
this area until all the judging is complete and show cage tags have
been opened. Keep an eye on people passing through since some may
behave in a manner to upset or frighten the birds.
Before the judging begins, group all of the entries
by number in the order they appear in the catalog. Count
the number of birds in each class and mark that number in the Judges
copy of the catalog and on the space provided on the show cage
tag. Verify with the cockatiel show secretary how many birds she/he
entered in each class. The secretary should have this same figure after
entering cage numbers from the entry forms. THEY MUST MATCH.
Novice birds will be
judged first. When the judge is ready, bring all the birds in each
class to the show bench to be judged in order, class by class. One or
two of the stewards may also tie the ribbons on the cages. The judge
will usually ask the stewards to retain the 1st, 2nd,
& maybe the 3rd place cockatiel in each class for the section
judging. These birds should be kept in order on a table near the show
bench so that when the judge has finished judging the classes, the
stewards can easily locate and place the retained birds on the judge’s
bench for the section judging.
The same procedure should be followed for the 1st,
2nd, and 3rd best in sections for division
judging. They should be placed in order somewhere near the show bench
so they can be brought up for the final judging. Check with the judge
concerning what order the birds should be brought back. The judge will
indicate to a steward during the judging of all levels which cages
should be removed or even moved around on the bench.
When the judging is completed, the general public
may be allowed to view the birds, but the exhibitors and the stewards
must verify the cage tag numbers with the exhibitor’s copy of the entry
form before a bird can be released. The steward’s initials should be
shown next to each cage tag number on the exhibitor’s copy. When all of
the birds have been checked out, the show benches dismantled and loaded
on the truck, the floor is swept and the management is satisfied you’ve
left the hall in the same condition you found it, you may finally sit
down!
THE SECRETARY
Included with this article will be sample-recording
forms, which are easy to use and virtually foolproof. It may seem that
one or two of these forms may not be necessary, but using them all makes
it easier in the end. Use a pencil to make entries on the
secretary’s work sheets (noted as Form 1) in case corrections need to be
made. Allow yourself at least a half hour to enter the
information before the judging begins. It helps to have someone help
you double check the numbers. The purpose of these forms is to insure
that no bird is missed during judging and to make it easy for the
secretary to retrieve information for the show report at the end of the
show.
When the steward has verified the cage tags as
accurate, and that the exhibitor has correctly entered the bird, the
entry form of each exhibitor is given to the secretary. The secretary
now enters each cage tag and lists the class numbers from the entry form
to the WORK SHEETS under the proper classifications. The entry
forms should be set aside for later use, novice and advanced
separated. The work sheets have places to enter the identifying cage
numbers of the judged 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th
placings of each class at the bottom of the worksheet.
Before judging begins, you should have marked the
judge’s catalog so the judge knows how many birds are entered in each
class. The judge will read the tag number of the winners in each class
and each section and the secretary will record these numbers in the
spaces provided on the work forms. (Forms 1-Novice; Forms 2-Advanced;
and/or Form 3).
When the judge chooses the Novice Section winners,
these are noted on the sheet provided in front of your Work Sheets. Also
provided for your use is a Form 3 that provides space for obtaining the
information off the entry sheets that will be required to complete the
judges show report. This form is optional and for your use only. When
the novice division has been judged, and the top ten best novices
selected, the Judge will then begin the Advanced Sections beginning with
Section 8. When the Advanced sections have been judged and recorded on
the - Advanced work sheets, the judge will then pick the final Top Ten
winners known as the Top Ten Division Winners. These cage numbers shall
be documented on the work sheets and/or Form 3.
The Final Official Show Report shows the
overall division winners as well as the winning advanced and novice
birds. This must be filled out completely in all areas. (It is
helpful to have some “White Out” handy for any mistakes in this
report). Since this form is a multiple of 4 copies, care should
be taken to press down hard enough so it is legible on the 4th
copy; this form should be completed in pen, not pencil. Be sure to
complete the spaces at the top of this form for Total Entries in Show
and Total Exhibitors in Show. If the Best in Show list of
winners is a duplicate of the Advanced list, you won’t need to
recopy this at the top-just make a notation that it’s the same.
However, if any Novice birds have been worked into the Best
Advanced group, you will definitely need to copy this again to
include these changes. The secretary should sign this form in the space
provided and make certain that the Judge checks it over completely
before signing off on it.
The Judge will send copies of this report to the
Chairman of the Judges Panel, NCS Show Report Editor
and the Points Registrar. The Judge and the Show
Secretary should retain a copy of the show report for their files.
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