Back in the April issue of the Poultry Press, Paul Smith, of the ABC wrote about his conversion to calling lavender Ameraucanas self blue. I know that was upsetting to some, but after knowing him for many years I was not surprised and it really doesn't matter what he calls them.
In the second half of his article he talks about an unnamed "well known judge" that disqualified (DQ) a lavender Ameraucana and wrote "NSV-DQ" on the coop card. No mention is made of the exhibitor filing a complaint, as they should have, or show management correcting the judge with an agenda. This is upsetting, because some inexperienced readers may think the judge was right and had the authority to do what he did.
Please do not be intimidated by the article or the judge. I've known at least a couple times when a judge has taken junior exhibitors to the side and tried to chastise them for entering "lavender" Ameraucanas. They don't have the courage to try it with me, but I've heard what some have said behind my back yet they feel comfortable trying to intimidate junior exhibitors.
Education is key.
APA Official Rules govern shows that are APA sanctioned meets. Read the rules and I'm sure you'll agree the judge at the show, mentioned above, was way out of line. Whether you choose to call them lavender or self blue, enter them as such and don't let judges, show management or anyone else try to tell you that you can't.