Gridley Show--11 October 2014

There were a lot less people than we expected at a double triple show (triple youth show and triple open show).  It was a smaller building, so we were all very cozy.  Strangely enough, this triple show went faster than any double show we’ve ever been to.  We were done by 3:00.  It was indoors, unlike the last Stockton show, and probably the nicest place we’ve shown—the AC was going for the rabbits, there was a large grassy parking area for letting rabbits out (and parking), and it was right outside the building.  All the angora judging tables were right next to each other, making it so much easier for us to find them.  We were so used to long shows and always being last that we didn’t have all our rabbits groomed when it was time to go to table.  That did cost Duchess a leg, but it was ok since Becky’s other doe, Honey, got the leg.  They switched up the order, which we had never seen done before, so the youth French angora went up sooner.  

 

If we had to choose between going to Gridley or Stockton, we would choose Gridley any day. 

We had our best friends who are also raising some nice French angoras with us, so it was lots of fun.  At the show, we met some other French angora youth.  They had a beautifully colored buck—a self-chocolate, but he had a lot of reddish tint.  My mom is still drooling over him.  It was really fun to meet them, and we hope to see them at other shows.

Tootsie was way overweight, and Muddy just turned senior and was underweight.  I didn’t want to spend money to enter them—even though they both had nice coats—and risk getting DQ’d.  So I took Ninja who had very uneven coat, just so we’d have the numbers for getting two legs per show.  Two significant things I learned this time—1.  If rabbits are DQ’d for weight, it doesn’t take away from the count for legs, so I should have taken Muddy and Tootsie, because the judges sometimes don’t even notice the weight;  2.  Senior does usually win best of breed.

Stockton Show Report

My mom, Becky, Lydia, and I left at 7AM the day of the show with Muddy Buddy, Honey, Duchess, Stanley, Bubbles, Maple, and a friend’s rabbit.  We couldn’t have them in the bed of the truck.  It would be too windy and it would stress them.  So we put them in the cab with us.  We arrived at 8AM and looked for the other angora breeders.  We were right in the middle of all the angora commotion—blowers, grooming tables, yarns and hats and mittens for sale, and some beautiful angoras. 

Judging for Show B

There were over 70 angora rabbits there, six entered in the youth class.  We entered five.  None of ours had any disqualifications, and we asked one of the judges about Bubbles.  He said she would not be DQ’d for color, her color was just fine.  Unfortunately, we did not ask about Stanley, who is a little different on the back, but otherwise identical to Bubbles.  Muddy Buddy won best of breed in show A, and Honey took best opposite.  In show B Honey took best of breed, and Muddy Buddy took best opposite.  Unfortunately, Muddy Buddy could not compete in best of show for show A, because the judging for show B was going on at the exact same time!   

Honey, Best of Breed in Show B, and Becky

Truckee Meadows Rabbit Breeders Show

By Lydia

The ARBA double show was held at Cold Springs Middle School on July 26.  Before the show, as my sisters and I were deciding which rabbits to take, I was debating whether to enter Snowball.  I was considering leaving her at home because her wool was not in the best condition.  She was in a molt.   But I decided to take her because, if one of the other rabbits got disqualified, we would only have four, and there wouldn’t be enough rabbits for a leg to be awarded.  

Snowball (with Douglas County 4-H Best of Breed ribbon)

The first show of the two, the judge loved her and awarded her best of breed.  I was so surprised that she won a leg.  I was really glad I took her.  My mom and my sister Charlotte were so surprised that Duchess, who is Becky’s rabbit, did not win.

In the second show, the judge did not like Snowball, and totally ignored her.  She checked out the other rabbits and picked Snowball’s brother, Ninja, as best of breed.  Duchess got best opposite.  

Ninja, Best of Breed at TMRB show July 26.

In this show, only the most popular breeds got ribbons, so sadly, Snowball has nothing to show for her achievement.   So for this blogpost, I took a picture of her with one of her other ribbons.

I learned that judges may have very different opinions of what is best in rabbits.