Press Releases 2008

9 May 2008

Our Family Profiles:
The Judge

To become a judge at the Royal Show is a great honour so that’s why it will really be a day to remember for George Godber from Redditch when he steps into the ring to judge Dexter cattle at this year’s Royal.

To win a red rosette at the Royal Show is regarded by many as the ultimate accolade and is the culmination of months and often years, of hard work and dedication. Winning at the Royal Show is prestigious, because it is the event which brings together the best from all over the country. To win at the Royal is to be regarded as the best of the best!

You can’t apply to be a judge – you have to wait to be invited and it is often a once in a lifetime opportunity. Judges must demonstrate that they are real experts in their field, have encyclopedic knowledge of their breed and a real feel for what makes a beast not just good in the show-ring but an animal that can translate the best breed characteristics into the commercial world of meat or dairy production. That is why George regards the invitation as such an honour, although there is ample evidence to demonstrate his right to hold the post.

George, who is 68, has been attending the Royal Show for over 40 years and has been a member of the Dexter Society since 1988. He was appointed to the Dexter judging panel in 1997 and was the first judge to be awarded Judge of the Year. George has shown his pedigree Dexter cattle at the Royal Show several times and in the last 20 years of showing nationwide has picked up, winning 122 1st prizes, six of them at the Royal Show.

This year though, for the first time in years he will be the one making the decisions, but he does have some top tips for first time exhibitors:

• Prepare – not just the animal, but yourself too! Remember first impressions count, so it is important that you arrive at the right place at the correct time and remember the exhibitor needs to look smart too – its not just about the animal!
• Know your animal – be ready to answer questions on the animal and be able to control it – especially important if you know it can be a bit unruly
• Above all – the animal must be presented in a professional manner

Judges don’t expect perfection but George will be looking for Dexter cattle that are as near perfect as possible. This includes what George describes as ‘correctness in features’ and it is also vital that the winner will be an excellent example of the breed.

Farming has been George’s life, brought up on a 500 acre mixed farm he studied livestock husbandry and agricultural botany at college before embarking on a career in farming. This also included nine years working for the Milk Marketing Board where he studied milk pasteurization and dairy technology. George also managed to find time to combine his farming life with running a specialised haulage business.

But it is Dexter cattle that have been the love of his life and he still has a herd of Dexters and a flock of Charollias Sheep.

Since becoming semi-retired, George has been able to spend more ‘quality time’ gardening, especially in his vegetable garden – his pride and joy. He also has a keen interest in breeding poultry including some rare breeds. George is also on hand if any of his farming neighbours need an extra pair of hands and helps out at busy times or when they need a hand calving or lambing.

The show starts on Thursday 3rd July, and runs until Sunday 6th July for further information on the Royal Show or to book tickets please visit www.royalshow.org.uk.

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For further media information contact:

Naomi Barry
The Ceres Partnership
T: 01189 475956
M: 07920 098498
E: naomi.barry@ceres-pr.co.uk

Simon Frere-Cook
Director, Royal Show & Technical Events
T: 02476 858282
E: simonf@rase.org.uk

Notes for editor

The Royal Show is organised by the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE). RASE is an independent charity with over 6,000 members including the general public and the farming community. RASE works towards a sustainable, vibrant future for British Agriculture and the rural community.

For more information about RASE, please contact: 02476 696969 or visit the website www.rase.org.uk