Can someone explain to me the route an entry of a Blue Wheaten Ameraucana pullet would take if the judge thought she was the best bird in the show? What awards would she win to go to the top? Or is there even an award for the top bird?
Birds are judged to 5th place in each of 4 sex classes...Cock, Hen, Cockerel (K) and Pullet.
From the 1st and 2nd place birds the Best of Variety (BV) and Reserve of Variety (RV) are chosen.
From all the BV and RV birds in that breed the Best of Breed (BB) and Reserve of Breed (RB) are chosen.
There are a bunch of Breed classes. Ameraucana bantams are AOCCL and large fowl are AOSB. All the BB and RB in a class are considered for Champion and Reserve Champion AOCCL and AOSB.
Next, those winners compete for Champion and Reserve Champion Landfowl. Turkeys and Guineafowl are also eligible for the Landfowl titles.
Lastly the Landfowl and Waterfowl Champions complete for Show Champion and Reserve Show Champion titles.
And yes, a "Reserve" bird can go on to place in the next level of competition. Say there are several varieties of LF Ameraucana shown, but the BV and RV of the same variety (black for this example) are both superior to all the other BV birds in that breed. In this case the BV and RV blacks would be placed BB and RB.
Study the
APA meet report form to better understand.
Awards that go with the different wins/titles may be offered by the show club, breed clubs, the APA, the ABA and "specials" are sponsored by individuals generally. The awards being offered should be listed in the show club's Show Catalog (aka Premium Book) or website.