ARS "BEST IN SHOW"

In awarding this prestigious "Best in Show" Horticulture certificate at National rose shows, all criterions listed below must be considered by judges before balloting for the award. Most are official RULES in ARS Horticulture Guidelines.

1- Specimen is a Horticulture entry--------------------3- A single stem specimen--------------5- Does not conflict with ARS rules

2- Best blue ribbon of (each class)---------------------4-Judged on the awards table--------- 6- Judged by ballot--------------------

7-The best of that classification only (as opposed to collections).

Noted in a rose show schedule for "Best in Show", was to be "selected from best blue ribbon winners from all Horticulture and Arrangement classes, except for judges� classes." "Award: ARS "Best in Show" certificate. With approval from ARS National/District Horticulture and Arrangement chairs, the schedule was printed.

For approximately ten (10) years, the American Rose Society has horticulture "Best in Show" certificates, was awarded at national shows. There were a few minor problems, when judges didn't adhere to ARS "Guidelines and Rules for Judging Roses". When judges awarded ARS horticultural "Best in Show" certificate to an arrangement it created a new problem.

ARS Guidelines is very specific about the final authority for a rose show, namely following its own show schedule as printed, providing they are not in conflict with ARS rules. If the show schedule conflicts with the rules governing ARS awards, judges must decline to give the award. In ARS National shows, ribbons and certificates are considered ARS awards.

While all this is water over the dam, how do we go about correcting, and keeping the problem from escalating? Clarification of the words, (each class) may be a star, if it read in (each horticulture class). ARS Handbook editors never dreamed, ARS judges would sanction awarding ARS horticulture "Best in Show" certificate, to an arrangement.

ARS offers but one set of ARS awards used only as specified in horticulture judges Guidelines & Rules for Judging Roses. Common sense would suggest that ARS Guidelines for Judging Rose Arrangements incorporate a official "Best in Show" arrangement certificate, provided by the host society.

Ron

2-23-2011