Exhibitor Classification

Horticulture Exhibitor Classification 

An exhibitor may be classified differently for Horticulture, Baskets, and Design. Please see the note  below defining “head table wins”.  

Junior

Any member of a dahlia society up to the age of 16. They may continue to show as a Junior if  their birthday falls within the show season. All Dahlias must be grown, staged, and placed by the Junior.  Juniors may choose to move up to the next division.  

Entry tags - Yellow 

Novice

Exhibitors entering dahlias in this division are inexperienced in the showing of dahlias. They may remain as a novice for a maximum of three (3) years, or up to 10 shows, or may choose to advance  after the first or second year.  

Entry tags - Pink 

Amateur

This division is for advanced exhibitors who show dahlias for fun and experience. Those  entering in this division are encouraged to remain until they consistently have multiple head table wins in each of the last three show seasons.  

Entry Tags - Blue 

Open

Experienced exhibitors who have had multiple head table wins in each of the prior three seasons  are required to enter in this division. Exhibitors who have not won head table wins during each of the  past three show seasons may return to the Amateur division. An exhibitor must spend at least one  show season as an Amateur before advancing to Advanced Amateur/Open.  

Entry Tags – White  

Design Exhibitor Categories

Exhibitor classes in Design are separate from the Horticulture section.  Someone in Open in Horticulture could be Novice in Design. 

Novice

Someone who has shown designs in 10 or less shows 

Amateur

Someone who has shown designs in more than 10 shows and is not consistently winning in  the design section. 

Open

Someone that is winning consistently in the design section as an Amateur or Open exhibitor.