judging at shows

[sledge x]

I am wondering how judging is being done at shows and what type of criteria they follow.

[Vintagesleds.com]

[oldsledz]

They all pretty much have their own rules and ways.

[pooch]

    BOSSKAT   chime in here,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[Vintage srx]

Yea this is a tricky question !   Common sense one would like to think takes a huge role in judging ! But there ARE unfortunitally shows ( Haachew-north branch) that club members win !   

[mikesskidoo]

i have found it is quite common for shows to be "participant judged". everyone who registers a sled gets a ballot sheet and votes on all classes.  every show has different classes/rules however

[sledge x]

Yea this is a tricky question !   Common sense one would like to think takes a huge role in judging ! But there ARE unfortunitally shows ( Haachew-north branch) that club members win !

This is how most local shows are done and yes there are events that tends to be rigged.

What about the national shows, are there experts for the various brands?

[skidoonut3]

Myself I like shows that the persons name is not listed on the sled, makes it a little more challenging because the (some) judges do not know who's sled is who's. I have won many classes and I have been very surprised to win at some shows, lots of nice sleds out there. Waconia is one that I was very suprised at.

[exracer]

Although I have not personally showed my personal sleds, I do have a few customers who's sleds I have restored , show theirs, and they never gave me enough feedback as to how the
judging was done. When I used to show streetrods, a lot of times it was judged by the craftsmanship, and a lot of times it was by what tripped the judges trigger that day. And I also have
seen the 'Good 'Ole Boys deal also. Just say'n, Greg

[emrickmn]

What about the national shows, are there experts for the various brands?

No - there can be dozens of brands and no-one is an expert in multiple brands.  At West Yellowstone this year - the class judging was popular choice voting by the spectators.

Myself I like shows that the persons name is not listed on the sled, makes it a little more challenging because the (some) judges do not know who's sled is who's.

I've been thinking of doing this myself.  In an up-coming national show, We may be leaving the owner's name off of the ID tag for this very reason.

[Adam_G]

Seen the "club members winning" scenario at countless shows in Central Mn. Yes it's definitely out there and a big issue for those who want trophies.
I've also noticed that Rupps and Arctic Cats usually get the trophies. Something about leopard skin and shiny red that gets the judges' attention. Too many judges out there that only vote for their favorite brand. Being a judge myself, I like to feel I am more mature and realistic than that as I go for the ones that are the real trophy winners (whether I know the owner or not too, btw).

Judging is getting too crooked and corrupt these days and I've stopped entering my sleds in for judging all together. A trophy is a trophy. I have enough and they do nothing for me. I go for the people 

[beverlynsteve]

Even at a participants get a ballot, things are slanted to the locals.  If you drive 3 hours to a show, you probably don't know that many people.....The people around that area will vote for their friends sled....it's just human nature I guess.  If I had a participant vote and my friends sled was on par with another sled, I'd vote for the friend.  Now if the other sled was obviously better, I'd vote for the better sled.

[Mario]

I'm sure there are shows that give the awards to club members. Kind of dumb in my opinion, but to each there own. I'm with Adam. I don't care about the plastic trophies. Next time I see some dork really whining about he didn't get a trophy, and he should have, I'm going to offer the poor guy a bunch.

[Adam_G]

Next time I see some dork really whining about he didn't get a trophy, and he should have, I'm going to offer the poor guy a bunch.

Some whine..... others just go all-out postal.  Instead of offering a bunch, I'd offer the guy a Midol or two.

[Old Ski Doo Man]

Adam G your  100 %  right about being crooked. It's  either the buddy system or they judge the sleds
for the polished tunnels & all the chrome  for  the sleds didn't come from the factory's that way.
Also the National's ARE just as bad for the judging sleds. But I've got to say there are a few GOOD  judges
that are fare.  What's so fare about a guy that pay's  100.00's  even 1000.00's to restore his sled  to show
against a guy that did all his own restoring. Just one man's point of view because I've seen it to many time's
I believe  they should just give everybody a tee shirt or hat that shows a sled & quit the trophy's. That would be more fare to the ones that never get anything & drives miles & miles.

[Adam_G]

I do have to say that our club does the Pequot show every January and we are now no longer doing a judged show. A show, yes, but no judging. We decided we've had enough drama with judging for people who could care less about anything else besides a trophy. That and most of our regulars just want to ride and socialize. We did a judge-free show last year on gull lake and we all agreed it was 100% fun. Very good turnout. Great times, great people, everyone goes home happy.