Dodgy committees.

[Mydexta]

Looking for a bit of advice here. How would everyone deal with the following situation.

I have had it confirmed to me that the organisers of a local match had told the judges of my class not to be over generous to me, after myself and the committee had a mild disagreement about classes and rules at their match.After the "discussion" I was told that everything was ok, and that things would carry on as per usual for this yr, but change for 2017. However on the morning of the match, the judges have been made aware of this and told not to be overly generous to me, and I have been told from a judge that I was knocked back 1-2 places in my class.

I have now decided that I won't plough at that match again, but should I confront the officials and ask what's what, or just let it lie and keep clear next season.??

 

[Kenham]

Sounds a familiar story, it is a shame the judges did not tell the committee they either judge everyone properly or not at all.

 

[Petetheploughman]

Don't go to the match again or do such a good job the judges will have to put you first. Take no notice of the arrogant organisers.

 

[arcobob]

Looking for a bit of advice here. How would everyone deal with the following situation.

I have had it confirmed to me that the organisers of a local match had told the judges of my class not to be over generous to me, after myself and the committee had a mild disagreement about classes and rules at their match.After the "discussion" I was told that everything was ok, and that things would carry on as per usual for this yr, but change for 2017. However on the morning of the match, the judges have been made aware of this and told not to be overly generous to me, and I have been told from a judge that I was knocked back 1-2 places in my class.

I have now decided that I won't plough at that match again, but should I confront the officials and ask what's what, or just let it lie and keep clear next season.??

I have potentially suffered from manipulation by organisers but fortunately most of our local judges know the score and ignore any pressures because they are aware of the situation. That does not make it feel any better except when their actions backfire on them. I would simply ask the judges concerned whether they have been manipulated and would they be prepared to go on record if they have. Unfortunately there are those who despise success rather than promote it simply because they do not have the basic skills required to succeed themselves.
Key factors that separate the men from the boys are attention to detail and the ability to act by getting your idle a--se off the seat to make the necessary adjustments. Interestingly enough, those who finish earliest are not those who drive the fastest but those who do not put in the effort.

 

[Pennine Ploughing]

you have got 2 problems not 1,

1st
them running the match for not wanting you to do well whatever the reason may be,
2nd
and the judges for going along with it

question is which is the bigger problem ?

 

[Davy_g]

An honest judge will judge what is in front of him.

I wonder what the committee would be so annoyed about to advise cheating.

Me, I would write a letter detailing my concerns. See what the response is, if any. If you can not resolve your differences then agree to differ and don't grace them with your presence.

 

[Ley253]

That was tried on me at Chiltern Hills match, many years ago. It didnt work, as the judge, Douglas Read, was an honest man, and really tore the event sec off a strip. If you see those judges walking your work at an other match, pull out, and tell the organisers and fellow competitors why.

 

[Ley253]

you have got 2 problems not 1,

1st
them running the match for not wanting you to do well whatever the reason may be,
2nd
and the judges for going along with it

question is which is the bigger problem ?

And number 2, is the largest! If the judges bent at that match, how many more have they "Adjusted"?

 

[Petetheploughman]

I still personally think the competitors should do their opening, with not a judge in sight, and then take all of their gear away from the plots so the judge doesn't know who they are judging. Then the judges should come back at the end and judge the rest, while the competitors are loading their gear. Easier said than done.

 

[Mydexta]

I can live with what the judge has done, it's the 2faced sleeketness of the organisers that has me wound up

 

[spindle]

I still personally think the competitors should do their opening, with not a judge in sight, and then take all of their gear away from the plots so the judge doesn't know who they are judging. Then the judges should come back at the end and judge the rest, while the competitors are loading their gear. Easier said than done.

Looking for a bit of advice here. How would everyone deal with the following situation.

I have had it confirmed to me that the organisers of a local match had told the judges of my class not to be over generous to me, after myself and the committee had a mild disagreement about classes and rules at their match.After the "discussion" I was told that everything was ok, and that things would carry on as per usual for this yr, but change for 2017. However on the morning of the match, the judges have been made aware of this and told not to be overly generous to me, and I have been told from a judge that I was knocked back 1-2 places in my class.

I have now decided that I won't plough at that match again, but should I confront the officials and ask what's what, or just let it lie and keep clear next season.??

definitely keep going to the match and don't let the sod's grind you down the other ploughmen and spectators will know if you have done a good job or not, if you stop going the organisers have won and got their way, the word will get around very quick about what is going on, the gutless judges that are going along with it should be named and shamed ! you yourself will know if you have done a decent job or not, turn up next year with a smile on your face and leave with a smile on it as well and screw them if that's how petty they are, do not give them the satisfaction by leaving

 

[arcobob]

Disagreements with committees is often because decisions are made by individuals on these committees outside of official business and these people hold sway over plot allocation and even trophy distribution. There are people everywhere who exert more power than is vested in them when they think they can get away with it.

 

[derek19]

I know the feeling. I was at a match this year where I won 1st feering (crown) and 2nd finish but yet never got a place. Not even 1st 2nd or 3rd.

 

[Cordiale]

I bet you were not allowed to see the score sheets ! ?

 

[derek19]

No score sheets that day. Makes you wonder why we should bother spending our hard earned money and time going to matches. The committee then wonder why ploughers stop going to matches when this is how we get treated.

 

[Howard150]

This situation seems endemic throughout the ploughing world. There are a number of us well used to retribution. It is a difficult, and at the end of the day, a needless situation. You have not told us your transgression as yet. Have the organising committee caught something from the SOP and drummed up a charge similar to 'Not pulling together' or have you done more? It is a very poor situation if they have decided to gang up on you and single you out for special treatment - after all rules are rules and should be administered in a similar way across the board.

It would seem that both the organisers and the judges are at fault. The organisers for not sorting problems out directly and taking money from a competitor who they have created a situation for whereby it is impossible for him to win. The judges for discriminating against individuals. If he does nothing else's, a judge's task is simple. It is to judge what the ploughman does with the plough, within the rules.

Similar situations have been with our pastime since time immemorial and no doubt will continue to be so in the future. A good few years ago one of the ploughing greats who shall remain nameless - suffice to say his name begins with a W and ends in why - told me the only way with situations like that was to be so far in front that they would either make themselves look foolish to do you down or that you had enough points for a dock to be meaningless.

In a similar vein, a good few years ago a gang of ploughmen went to the organisers to complain about Howard's cousin gardening. The organiser asked what was expected of him and they unanimously demanded a dock of 20 points. Fine he said 'he will still have beaten you by 20 points'

Health and happiness to all on here. All the best for Christmas and the new year.

 

[spindle]

Disagreements with committees is often because decisions are made by individuals on these committees outside of official business and these people hold sway over plot allocation and even trophy distribution. There are people everywhere who exert more power than is vested in them when they think they can get away with it.

its the traffic warden effect, give them a uniform and a bit of power and it goes to their heads and they abuse it

 

[banjo]

I'm afraid that's how Britain works and has for years, overpowered little men usually get their way, BUT, don't give in to the twits!
Keep turning up with your stock and do the best you can, people watching see straight through the bulls**t !
Good luck to you.

 

[Petetheploughman]

definitely keep going to the match and don't let the sod's grind you down the other ploughmen and spectators will know if you have done a good job or not, if you stop going the organisers have won and got their way, the word will get around very quick about what is going on, the gutless judges that are going along with it should be named and shamed ! you yourself will know if you have done a decent job or not, turn up next year with a smile on your face and leave with a smile on it as well and screw them if that's how petty they are, do not give them the satisfaction by leaving

I must say I like this symbol "". I know a couple of people I could do this to!

 

[Halfbaked farmer]

As a judge of many years standing I can honestly say, hand on heart, I only ever judge ploughing plots as I see them , never ploughman/woman, tractors or ploughs. There are occasions when ploughman just look at the finished work and need to inspect awarded points across all aspects to get the total and true picture.