2012 Ameraucana National Show report & Missouri State Meet report
By: Paul Smith
The 2012 Ameraucana national meet is now history! This was the second Ameraucana national to be hosted by the SC district since the development of the breed. A special thanks to the Missouri State Poultry Association for hosting our show at the Sedalia State Fair Grounds on Oct. 27.
Diana Dahir did a great job placing the bantams in the first judging and the LF in the show’s second judging. This created some confusion and delays in presenting the Ameraucana awards, but everything was worked out before the awards were passed out.
Doug Connally judged the LF Ameraucanas in the first judging for the Missouri state meet. Art Rieber judged the Ameraucana bantams in the second judging for the Missouri State meet. A double judged show confirms my thoughts, that a show placing is one person’s opinion-Jerry DeSmidt, added “for that bird on that day”. Diana’s and Doug’s placement of the LF were very similar with only six additional photos required to have a full set of BV (best variety) and RV (reserve variety) for the two shows. They both chose the same two birds for the BB and RB (best of breed and reserve breed).
However, Art and Diana disagreed so much that I had Matthew take another full set of photos of the second bantam judging. The total number of Ameraucanas was down from what we usually have at a national meet. There were 38 bantams and 68 large fowl for a total of 121 including the 5 head of Jr. large fowl shown. Jensen Pierson’s black K was selected BB and best Jr. AOSB (all other standard breed). Cody Grantatier had the RB and Res. AOSB on a black K purchased from John Blehm at a day old. The best blue was a pullet shown by McCormick Snyder. The five Jr. LF were very nice and would have placed well in the open show. It is required for Jr’s. to participate in a showmanship contest at this show.
Five ABC members from three states showed the 38 bantams. Robert Walchak of Holmen, Wisconsin took the top two places in both the black and white class with a cockerel and pullet respectfully Robert also, took the top two spots in the wheaten class with two pullets. Jerry DeSmidt of Pulaski, Wisconsin won the blue class, also with a cockerel and pullet respectfully. John Blehm of Birch Run, Michigan took the top spots in both buff and silver varieties also with a cockerel and pullet respectfully. John also showed the top two lavender, a pullet and a cockerel respectfully. The BV splash was a pullet shown by Jerry Segler of Sparland, Illinois. The RV splash was a pullet shown by Jerry DeSmidt. The top two brown red were a pullet and a cock respectfully shown by Mike Gilbert of Holmen, Wisconsin. There weren’t any blue wheaten bantams shown this year. Diana chose Robert Walchak’s white cockerel as best of breed and reserve AOCCL (all other comb clean legged). Robert’s wheaten pullet was chosen reserve of breed. Congratulations to Bob and Teresa! We all missed seeing you this year. Thanks for sending the great Ameraucanas with Mike. Sorry to hear about the passing of Teresa’a sister.
Nine ABC members from six states showed 68 head of large fowl. The black class contained 24 head. Clifton Redden of Columbus, Kansas won the blacks with a very nice black pullet. Clifton and wife Linda, once again proved that there is still room at the top in our great breed of Ameraucanas. This was their second show and first Ameraucana meet. Clifton’s black pullet was also selected reserve AOSB. Jerry DeSmidt had res. Black on a cock. John Blehm showed the top silvers a pullet and cockerel respectfully. John also showed the best buff, a pullet. Jerry DeSmidt had the reserve buff with a pullet. Mike Gilbert showed the top brown reds a cockerel and pullet respectfully. Matthew Smith of Gainesville, Texas showed the top two blue wheatens and top two wheatens, both a cockerel and pullet respectfully. The wheaten cockerel was purchased as a day old chick from John Blehm. The best lavender a pullet was shown by Paul & Angela Smith of Gainesville, Texas. Matthew Smith had the reserve on a cockerel. Jerry DeSmidt had the top whites a hen and cock respectfully. The Arne Schmidtz traveling trophy went to Jerry DeSmidt on the best white. Jensen Pierson of Wilmington, Ohio showed the top two splash a pullet and cockerel, respectfully. Jensen’s pair of splash won the AOV (any other variety) class. The top blue was a hen shown by Paul & Angela Smith. She was chosen best of breed, Champion Ameraucana and best AOSB. The reserve blue was a cockerel shown by Jensen Pierson.
Jerry DeSmidt had the highest scoring display on LF blues with 138 points. Ken Olsen did an excellent job with the egg contest. Jim Miller and Jerry Segler judged the egg contest. There were a total of 10 entries. Robert Walchak had the best bantam pullet eggs. Jerry DeSmidt had the best bantam hen, best LF pullet and best LF hen eggs. Thanks Ken for all your work on this project!
Michael Muenks supervised the ABC table, and presided over the club meeting. President Jean Ribbeck wasn’t able to attend, and Mike Gilbert was in the emergency room at the local hospital. The long drive was too much on Mike’s back. Since the show, we have received an e-mail from Mike, he and Mary had an eventful trip home, but finally made it. Fellow believers-remember to pray for Mike!
The ABC business meeting was held in the corner of the show barn. It was somewhat noisy but out of the cold wind. The meeting was called to order by Michael Muenks. The normal-setting of agenda, welcome and introductions, 2011 meeting minutes, and secretary/treasurer’s report were performed. Brief discussions were held on the club’s point system, new handbook, printer, election by acclamation results, and 2013 national meet. The lifetime achievement award was accepted by Paul Smith for Barbara Campbell who was unable to attend. The Jr. awards were passed out. The open show LF were almost completed by meeting time, but delayed due to the second judging of Diana Dahir. The meeting was adjourned and photos of the ABC group in attendance were made. Angela Smith, David Blehm, Matthew Smith, Michael Muenks ran the raffle to assist with the club’s expense to hold a national meet. Special thanks to everyone who donated and helped make it a success. A seminar for Ameraucanas enthusiasts was planned, but not held due to lack of time, Mike Gilbert’s health issue, Jes and David Kemp absent-due to David’s health issue, and lack of a warm quiet place to hold it. This is a great idea and we hope to hold one next time.
The Missouri State meet was held in conjunction with our national meet. Doug Connally judged the large fowl. The BV black was a pullet by Clifton Redden. Clifton’s pullet also won RB and res. AOSB. The res. black was a cockerel by Paul & Angela Smith. The top two silver were a pullet and cockerel, respectfully shown by John Blehm. John also had the BV buff on a pullet. The res. buff was a cock shown by Jerry DeSmidt. The top two brown red were a cockerel and pullet, respectfully, shown by Mike Gilbert. The top two placing blue wheaten and wheaten were a cockerel and pullet, respectfully shown by Matthew Smith. The wheaten cockerel was purchased from John Blehm as a day old chick. The BV white was a hen and the reserve was a cock both shown by Jerry DeSmidt. The BV lavender was a pullet shown by Paul & Angela Smith. Matthew Smith had RV on a cockerel. Jensen Pierson had the top two splash, a pullet and a cockerel respectfully. Jensen’s splash also were selected best and res. AOV (any other variety). Hopefully in the next few years, the ABC will be able to get both splash and lavender accepted as a recognized variety in both the APA and ABA. The BV blue was a hen shown by Paul & Angela Smith. She was chosen BB, Champion Ameraucana and best AOSB. The RV blue was a pullet shown by Jerry DeSmidt.
Art Rieber judged the Missouri State meet bantams. The BV black was a cockerel shown by Jerry DeSmidt. Jerry’s black cockerel was chosen BB. The RV black was a pullet shown by Robert Walchak. Robert also had the top two white a pullet and cockerel respectfully and top two wheaten, two pullets. Robert’s BV wheaten pullet was chosen RB. The top two blues a cockerel and hen respectfully were shown by Jerry DeSmidt. John Blehm had the top two buff on a pullet and a cockerel respectfully, top two silver on a cockerel and pullet respectfully, and top two lavender on a pullet and cockerel respectfully. Mike Gilbert had the BV brown red on a pullet and RV brown red on a cock. Jerry Segler had the BV splash on a pullet and Jerry DeSmidt had the RV splash on a pullet.
The Ameraucana National meet and the Missouri State meet were a success due to the efforts of everyone who showed and helped with all the activities. The meets were completed with dinner, at the local Golden Corral.
