High Commendation Award

"The High Commendation (HC) Award is reserved for seedling irises, viewed in gardens under seedling number or registered name, which have not yet been introduced to commerce. A seedling in any of the established classifications listed previously is eligible for the HC Award. Judges are cautioned not to vote for a first year seedling and to be certain that the seedling being considered conforms to the requirements of its designated classification. Prior to 1942 it was given only at shows. Many breeders, however, were in sections where no shows were held and therefore never had a chance to compete for this award. The rule was changed so that it could be a garden as well as a show award.

The HC Award is granted to each seedling that receives five or more votes. It is acceptable for a seedling to win the HC award more than once and as often as the judges award it. A seedling remains eligible up to the time of introduction. In any award year, the HC is limited to irises that have not been introduced before the deadline date for the official Ballot.

The maximum number of seedlings that the judge may enter on his/her ballot is: Tall Bearded, eight: each of the other classifications, three"

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Reference Handbook for Judges and Show Officials 2007 AIS.

Year	Number of HCs	Total Votes	Voters	Cultivars Voted
2009	3	310	72	199
2008	4	Unknown	Unknown	181
2007	7	Unknown	Unknown	192
2006	12	Unknown	Unknown	249
2005	24	Unknown	Unknown	298
2004	16	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
2003	19	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
2002	25	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
2001	40	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
2000	19	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
1999	21	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
1998	20	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
1997	23	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
1996		Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
1995	31	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
1994	34	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
1993	39	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
1992	?	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
1991	10?	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
1990	46	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown

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-- BobPries - 2012-07-11