Carolina District of the American Rose Society

You, Too, Can Be A Judge
by Russ Bowermaster
Bradenton, FL

Click below for Additional resources:
Qualifications for Appointment as an apprentice Rose Judge
Application for Apprentice Rose Judge Certificate

     You probably have often heard the rhetorical question, “Why should I become a rose judge?” I hope, in this short space, to provide some sound reasons why becoming a rose judge should be the desire of more of our rose exhibiting members. The first point I would like to make is that in becoming a rose judge, you immediately acquire a new dimension in the appreciation of roses. 

     Our constant search for beauty is enhanced by the knowledge learned in our studies to become a rose judge. My second point concerns the enjoyment experienced as we broaden our horizons by visiting other areas and meeting fellow judges and rosarians. Rose people are special all over the world. Whatever their background or vocation, the common interest of roses make us kindred souls.

     Of course, to become a rose judge, certain qualifications must be met. I will delineate those here and provide some background and reasoning for some of them.

     A person applying for designation as an apprentice rose judge of the America Rose Society must:

     1. Have been a member of the ARS, either regular or associate, for 36 months consecutive immediately preceding application. This requirement has caused some confusion in the past. Membership in the ARS is individual and does not extend to family members, as is often the case in local societies. The primary member is the one whose name appears on the address label of your magazine. Family members may become associates and have all the benefits of regular membership except for receiving the magazine and Annual.

     2. Have personally grown roses in an outdoor garden or be engaged in their scientific culture. There is no better way to become familiar and knowledgeable about roses than by growing them. Scientific culture refers to those persons involved in both creation of new roses and maintenance of roses in public gardens.

     3. Have intimate knowledge of the characteristics and the range of variability of at least 100 varieties of all classifications (of roses). Without this knowledge, it would not be possible for judges to determine whether the rose they are viewing represents a good specimen of the variety or is just a mediocre rose. This knowledge is gained primarily through growing many classifications of roses, by visiting public and private rose gardens, and by participating in rose shows.

     4. Know and follow ARS rules and technical requirements. This simply means following the Guidelines for Judging Roses.

     5. Be observant and careful in all details. This means that the judges should be meticulous in their appreciation of the rules for judging, but also be considerate of the conditions that prevail for the particular show.

     6. Be a person of high integrity and able to subjugate all personal likes, dislikes and biases. This is a very important part of being a fair and judicious rose judge. Personal preferences have no place in the judging arena. I am often asked, “What is your favorite rose?” My response is always, “the one that is in bloom,” or “the one I am observing at the present.”

     7. Be able to substantiate decisions with concrete and specific reasons. Judges should be able to base their decisions on firm knowledge of the Guidelines and explain them, when necessary.

     8. Be diplomatic, constructive, definite and understandingly assertive in adhering to rules and passing judgment. All show rules should specify that the decision of the judges is final.  Therefore, it is incumbent upon the judges to be fair but firm in the knowledge of their decision.

     9. Have successfully exhibited by winning at least two classes for which ARS certificate awards are available and five blue ribbons in at least five shows. No one should be judging roses without having the experience of preparing and entering roses in a rose show. By requiring applicants to have won certificate classes and blue ribbons, we can be assured that they are aware of what is necessary to produce a winning entry.

     10. Have worked as a clerk with apprentice and accredited judges in a minimum of three rose shows. By this performance the applicant may observe how the judges approach each class and hear their comments as they evaluate each rose and determine the winners.

     11. Have satisfactorily completed an authorized ARS Judging School and passed the examination. This provides us with an indication of the knowledge and understanding of judging roses that applicants may have gained through their exhibiting and participation in rose show.

     I hope this will convince those who have been indecisive about becoming a Rose Judge to study the Guidelines for Judging Roses and to take the examination at their next District Judging School. For those who have stated they would never become a judge, perhaps this will serve to give you more thought and decide that judges are really advanced rosarians, and you can be one of them.