ARTICLES
8.5.07
Babies
Breeding
Color Breeding
Feeding
Glossary
Grooming
History
Illustrated Pedigrees
Misc
Nestbox
Netherland Dwarfs
Problems
Rabbitry
Shows
The Rabbitry
Training
Winner's Circle
Links to More Info
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SHOWS
Here I'll talk about preparing for a show, and what happens at the show.
Search For Shows. ARBA
lists all currently sanctioned shows in a searchable list. Many local clubs also post
show dates.
Mark The Calendar. I note shows I plan to attend on a
calendar. I also note shows on my breeding calendar. This is so I can avoid having
litters due on a day I'll be gone to a show. Shows are almost always on a Saturday. An
exception is a show that spans 2 or more days such as a large convention.
Request A Catalog. There should be an email address for the
show's secretary. He/She is the one who will take your entries. A catalog is a printout
of the show's details. It will include entry fees, judges, rules and deadlines, and any
breed specialities. It should also include directions to the show site. If a catalog is
available, the show sec can send it to you, either via email or snail mail. If not, ask
the show sec for the info you need. It's good to request the catalog a week or more
before the show date to get it in time. Once you've attended several local shows, you
should be on the sec's mailing list and get them automatically.
Motel Reservation. A show at a long distance may require an
overnight or weekend stay at a motel. Make reservations early. Show catalogs will often
list motels in the area.
Make A List. Go over your show bunnies to decide who is
going with you. Check their weight to make sure you can enter in the class desired. IE:
Is that youngster too heavy to show as a jr, did that sr doe go overweight? You want to
avoid a DQ. Double check sex, teeth, nails, etc, for other possible DQs. Make sure they
have an ear tattoo. I make a list of the buns I want to show early in the week. I check
them daily until the entry deadline, and cross off any that I've changed my mind about,
or add more.
Don't Show. Some bunnies shouldn't be shown.
..... DQ. Weight, color,
broken toenail, disease.
..... Molting. Not only will a
heavy molt ruin the rabbit's placement, it is a stressful time. Slightly molty bunnies
can be shown, but may place lower than a rabbit in better condition. It's usually better
to leave a molting bun at home until its condition improves.
..... Pregnant Doe. It may be
safe to take a bred doe to a show in the early part of her pregnancy. Too near the due
date is risking both doe and litter. Leave her at home.
Ear Tattoo. To be shown, a rabbit must have a permanant,
legible tattoo in the left ear. You'll need this ear number for your entries. If a
bunny doesn't have one, you'll need to get it done before it's judged. It's best to do
it well before a show, but in a pinch, there is usually someone at a show who can do it
for you. Make sure this number matches the entry.
Entries. There are 2 ways to enter rabbits in a show.
..... Pre-entry. The easiest
way to do this is via email. You'll send your entries to the show secretary posted for
that show. You can also phone, or mail them. A deadline will be given for pre-entries.
It's usually the Wednesday before the Saturday show date for email or phone entries.
Snail mail will require an earlier deadline. Pre-entry deadlines will be much earlier
for large conventions and sometimes for fair shows. Entry fees are usually paid on the
day of the show, but are sometimes required beforehand.
..... Day-of-Show Entry. Here
in the south, pre-entries are the norm. A day-of-show entry is considered a late entry
and involves a late fee. This is usually $2 over the pre-entry fee. Some regions are
mostly day-of-show. In this case, you'll fill out an entry card for each rabbit. You
should have the cards filled out ahead of time to make checkin faster and easier for you,
the show sec, and the other exhibitors.
..... The Entry. Info required
is the breed, variety, age, sex, and ear # of each rabbit. Ex: Netherland Dwarf -
Siamese Sable - Sr Buck - ear # 01. Whether Open (adult or anyone), or Youth (under 19,
but may enter Open). Name and home address. If there is more than one show that day, be
sure and let the show sec know which or all of the shows you wish to enter. If
day-of-show for a multiple show, you'll need to fill out cards for each show. Breed
specialty shows are often separate from the main shows with a different show sec. You
may need to enter this separately.
Day Before the Show. I'm "in show mode", and this day is
devoted to preparation. Since I will leave very early in the morning, I want as much
done as possible.
..... Rabbitry Chores. I give
extra feed, and top off all water bottles. I won't have time in the morning for this
daily chore. I clean cages so I won't have to think about that when I get back home.
..... Carriers. I set up
carriers while I'm cleaning cages. I usually have them ready to go already, as I clean
and refill with shavings the next time I clean cages after a show. I've made a list of
the bunnies that are going, including the ones I'm selling, delivering, or picking up at
the show. This tells me how many holes I need. I try to have an empty hole or two in
case I buy a rabbit at the show. The carriers' trays are lined with clean pine shavings
and stacked near the door. All I have to do in the morning is put the buns in and load
them in the car.
..... Food and Water. I fill
enough small water bottles to cover all the buns who are going. Sometimes these fit in
an empty carrier hole, otherwise I pack them separately. I stuff lots of hay in a bag.
This may also fit in a hole. If I'm doing an overnighter, I also bring pellet feed and
dishes. I only feed hay at a show that's just a day trip.
..... Pack The Car. I load
everything I can. This includes grooming table, folding chair, folding cart, and my show
bag that carries grooming tools, pedigrees, notebook, directions, etc. If an
overnighter, my overnite bag is packed with the clothes and things I'll need. All I will
have left to load is the rabbits.
..... Grooming. Once all the
work is done, I spend time with the buns. Trim nails or clean dirty fur if needed,
double check to make sure everyone is in good health and condition. Some breeders do all
their heavy grooming at a show. It's part of their ritual. I like to just do light
grooming at the show. I keep the list where I can see it, so I don't forget anyone when I
load the rabbits.
The Drive. I've mapped the drive at Mapquest and estimated drive time. I try to give
myself a good half hour extra to cover unexpected delays. A show usually begins at
9:00am, with checkin at 8:00am, but it's good to get there earlier. I try to be there no
later than 7:30am.
The Show.
..... Arrival. Load your cart
and enter the showroom. Try to learn where your breed is likely to be shown. You'll see
tables set up with judging coops. Some of these coops may be smaller than others. This
is most likely where dwarf breeds will be. There may be a separate table for Youth.
..... Set Up.
Find an open space on the floor large enough for your stuff. Be considerate of other
exhibitors when staking your claim to floor space. Compact your stuff as much as
possible so there's room for everyone. Also note where traffic is likely to be. Leave
plenty of room for people to move around. Set up your grooming table, chair, and
carriers. This is a good time to put out the for sale signs as many sales are made early
in the day.
..... Check-in. A table will be
set up for the show secretaries. Sometimes Open and Youth will have separate lines. The
sooner you get to this, the faster it will be. Have your entry fees in hand. If
pre-entered, the show sec will have a control sheet all ready for you. Double check to
make sure your entries are correct, pay fees, and you are all set. If day-of-show entry,
you should have entry cards filled out. The show sec will add your name to a list, take
your entry card and fees, and give you the carbon copy of the card. There may be blank
entry cards at the table for your use. Take just enough to cover your usual number of
entries so you'll have them for the next time.
..... Groom. NDs are easy to
groom and don't need much time. Grooming at show is more a pleasant ritual than a
necessity. Some breeds require more extensive grooming. For NDs it's more about showing
off. You'll do light grooming, and pose them for passers-by.
..... Visit. Find out when and
where your breed is being judged. The judging tables will usually have a poster stating
the breeds and order. If your breed is up first, you may not have a lot of time. But
there is usually time for walking around, visiting, and checking out the rabbits for
sale.
..... Your Breed Is Called.
Pay attention. You should be ready to go when your breed is called. See Netherland Dwarfs for the
judging order of the varieties. Get your rabbits to the table as quickly as you can to
keep things moving. Your class will only be called out 3 times. If you don't hear, you
could forfeit your entries. Be helpful. If you know someone is out of range, let them
know their rabbits are up. Give them a hand if they need help carrying their rabbits.
..... Judging. The judge should
not know which rabbits are yours. Put them in a coop and stand back. The judge will go
over each rabbit to check for DQs first. Then he/she will begin to place them. As he
places each rabbit, he will comment on it, and suggest improvements. These comments are
valuable to a breeder, so listen. You may not agree with the judge, but this is not the
time or place to argue. The judge is king right now. You may ask for further
explaination from the judge AFTER he has finished judging the whole breed.
..... Placement. The judge will
place the rabbit as he comments on them. Usually last to 1st. If your rabbit is placed
less than 1st, immediately remove it from the table. If placed 1st, it will stay for a
bit longer. See Netherland
Dwarfs for the judging order of age and sex within a variety.
..... You're Done. Your rabbits
were placed lower than 1st. If you have other varieties to show, you'll put them up as
they are called. If your rabbit stayed up, you'll have to wait until the group or breed
is judged to see how it places there. If you are not in any of those positions, you can
relax for a bit.
..... Best Of Breed. If your
rabbit is chosen Best Of Breed (BOB), it will be up for Best In Show (BIS), and judged
against all other breeds. When all breeds have been judged, the BIS judging will be
announced. Take your BOB to this table and keep your fingers crossed. This is the
highest honor and an accomplishment to be proud of. Just getting that far is exciting.
Best Reserve In Show (BRIS) is 2nd best and just as exciting.
..... Wait. It may be a while
before the next show is called. This is a time for you to relax, visit, have lunch, or
even take a nap if you need it. Be sure someone knows where you are in case your breed
is called sooner than you expected. The whole schedule begins again.
..... Pack It Up. When you are
nearly finished, and you know your rabbits aren't going any further, you can begin to
load up your gear. If it's a warm day, wait until you are ready to leave before you load
the rabbits. You don't want them sitting for long in a hot car.
..... Drive Carefully. It's
been a long day, and you're tired.
Related Info: ARBA ; Netherland Dwarfs ; Grooming ; Training ; Glossary
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