Show Awards

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The American Iris Society (AIS) provides opportunities for members and the general public to display, view, have judged, and receive recognition for iris they have grown, entered, and displayed in an AIS approved show. Entries in an AIS Show are evaluated by AIS accredited judges. The following explains the recognition that can be awarded to irises displayed at an AIS iris show which includes ribbons, rosettes, medals, and certificates.

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As the judges evaluate the irises entered in the show ribbons may be awarded.

• Award Ribbons may be awarded by AIS Judges designating the quality of the presentation of specimens in the horticulture section. Entries compete by registered variety or published botanical name.
  • A Blue Ribbon denotes a First Place displaying a high quality of cultural perfection for that variety and excellent grooming and presentation. Only one blue ribbon is awarded per variety and then only if the specimen meets that standard. (Note in Canada the blue and red ribbons are reversed)
  • A Red Ribbon denotes Second Place or a specimen that does not quite meet the highest standard.
  • A White Ribbon designates Third Place.
  • A Pink Ribbon is often given as an Honorable Mention, as a thank you to the exhibiter for making the effort and providing a specimen that meets the essential qualifying criteria.

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After the judges have evaluted all of the entries they make further selections of those specimens that represent "Best Of" qualities. Rosettes are awarded to the "Best Of" specimen entries.

• A Best Specimen of Section small purple rosette is awarded to the best speicmens of each section represented in the show.
• A Best Specimen of Show large purple rosette, and a certificate, is awarded to the entry the judges select as the overall best specimen exhibited at the show. (Much as the name suggests, it is the best presentation of an Iris variety in the show, being well grown (horticulture 75%} and presented well (Condition & Grooming 25%).
• A Youth Best Specimen of Show small purple rosette, and a certificate, may be awarded to the entry the judges select as the overall best youth specimen exhibited at the show if there is a Youth Division.
• A Best Seedling of Show large purple rosette, and an Exhibition Certificate, may be awarded to the seedling selected as the Best Seedling of Show by the judges. Exhibition Certificates may also be awarded to any seedling receiving five or more votes from fully accredited AIS judges attending the show.

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Rosettes, medals, and certifcates may also be awarded as noted below:

• A Horticultural Sweepstakes large purple rosette, a Silver Medal, and a certificate may be awarded to the exhibitor receiving the most first-place ribbons. (To award the Adult Silver Medal and certificate there must be at least five exhibitors and at least twenty cultivars at a spring show and at least three exhibitors and at least ten cultivars at a fall show.)
• A Bronze Medal may be awarded as a Horticultural Sweepstakes Runner-up award to the exhibitor with the second most first-place ribbons. (To award the Adult Bronze Medal and certificate there must be at least five exhibitors and at least twenty cultivars at a spring show and at least three exhibitors and at least ten cultivars at a fall show.)
• A Youth Horticultural Sweepstakes small purple rosette, a Silver Medal, and a certificate may be awarded to the youth exhibitor receiving the most first-place ribbons. (To award a Youth Silver Medal and certificate requires at least two youth exhibitors and at least ten cultivars for a spring show and at least two youth exhibitors and at least five cultivars for a fall show.)
• A Bronze Medal may be awarded as a Youth Horticultural Sweepstakes Runner-up award to the youth exhibitor with the second most first-place ribbons. (To award a Youth Bronze Medal and certificate requires at least two youth exhibitors and at least ten cultivars for a spring show and at least two youth exhibitors and at least five cultivars for a fall show.)

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Rosettes and certificates may also be awarded if there is an Artistic Division in the show as noted below:

• A Best Design of Show (adult) large purple rosette and a certificate may be awarded.
• A Artistics Sweepstakes (adult) large purple rosette and a certificate may be awarded.
• A Best Design of Show (youth) small purple rosette and a certificate may be awarded.
• A Artistics Sweepstakes (youth) small purple rosette and a certificate may be awarded.

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Exhibition Certificates may be awarded as noted below:

An Exhibition Certificate (EC) will be awarded to the seedling or collected species selected as Best Seedling of Show provided any are deemed worthy of this award.

Additional ECs may be awarded to any seedling which receives a cumulative total of five or more votes from AIS judges attending the show or any other AIS approved shows in a calendar year. Therefore, all AIS judges present at the show should study the seedlings. If any seedlings exhibit superior qualities that would merit the EC Award, the judge should complete and submit an EC ballot voting for those seedlings. After the show the completed ballots are sent to the AIS exhibition reports chair along with the show report. This should be done whether or not any seedling receives five votes since votes can be accumulated over multiple shows in a calendar year.

Upon receipt of a properly completed show report, the AIS exhibitions reports chair will issue any AIS Exhibition Certificates supported by the EC ballots and will mail the ECs to the show chair for forwarding to the hybridizer(s) of the seedling(s).

Exhibition Certificates recognize seedlings whether they are exhibited as named cultivars or with a seedling number.

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Notes:

For a further explanation of the requirements for AIS Show Awards see the latest edition of the Handbook for Judges and Show Officials.

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If you find errors in the information provided please contact the AIS Encyclopedia Manager at aisencyclopedia@irises.org

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-- BobPries - 2012-07-03