Had a great time at the Island RBA Show July 12th on Prince Edward Island Canada. It was cooler in the showroom this year. A good showing of all breeds, Holland Lops included.
Show A was judged by Randy Shumaker, CA. In the SSB class 1st place went to BBF's Gunslinger and Best Solid, SSD class went to BBF's Raffle-Ella and Best Opp Solid. The SJB class garnered a close 2nd for BBF's 1T, (BBF's Thistle's first son). Brian's very cute SJB took the class and his SJD took her class with BBF's 36G 2nd and BBF's 2T 3rd (Thistle's first and only doe so far). We took just one broken, BBF's Hot Button and he took Best Opp Broken. Pictured below is Gunslinger with his Best in Show trophy. It's funny the difference in angles the same rabbit can look but it is the same rabbit taken minutes apart. The club has another trophy that both the Best in Show winner's names are engraved. Normally it is shared 6 months each between the two winners. But alas they wouldn't let me take it for my 6 mos., probably afraid of getting it back across the border. Ha! But I did get the very nice trophy below. This grand champed "Gunny" and "Ella" both. It meant a lot to win a Best in Show with a Holland Lop under Randy as he raised Hollands for many years and knows them so well. He said he'd never had a Holland pose himself all on his own. "Gunny" would allow Randy just so much help in posing and then he'd give himself a shake and rearrange himself to his own liking. Whatever works! Show B was judged by Stacy Easton, OH. BBF's Raffle-Ella took Best Opp Solid again and BBF's Hot Button took Best Opp Broken again. Brian took BOB with his BSD and BOS with Heath's Eldon. This doe took Best in Show B. I love these "icebergs" for the does with litters. On the really hot, humid days, even with fans running, it can get warmer than I like for the buns. Lactating does and does with babies get much hotter than single bunnies. You would think with the heat they'd spread out from each other instead of laying in bunny piles. But they don't. So to help them cool off we use these large flat frozen blue ice packs bought a Christmas Tree Shop for less than $3.00!
The minute the icebergs are put in the cages, the does climb aboard like they are stepping onto a surfboard. They stretch out on their tummies and cool off. Not only does the direct contact cool them off, it cools the air they inhale in front of their noses. There is even room enough for a baby or two. The icebergs are thin enough that you could put them into a carrier pan instead of shavings or if a deep pan, both. With the bottom carrier wire in between, the bunny won't even get wet before going on the show table. If Oprah has an "O" list, then these are on my "D" list. I didn't get to see the Youth's Costume class at the Prince Edward Island show July 12th as Hollands were being judged at the same time. BUT... I did get to see one bunny that still had it's costume on. Too darn cute. Here is Shianne S. from NB with her Minirex, "Cocoloco" Note the bunny slippers, silver hairdryer, bow on her ears, spa bathrobe and mini hairbrush. Coco is sitting in her beauty parlor chair like quite the little pampered gal. Being a Minirex, she didn't need a Hare-cut.
Visiting other rabbitries are not only to see the bunnies but you can also get ideas that can be cost saving or just another way to set up your rabbitry. One day we went to visit Jess S.'s rabbitry and having been a horseperson she brought that experience with her when setting up her cages. She was using metal fence posts for cage legs. You can put screws thru the cages into the post slots or better still use strong zip ties. The latter is easier to apply, remove and replace. Especially if rust were to become an issue.
Not everyone has a rabbit equipment supply person nearby and shipping can be costly due to the weight of cage legs. It's is a good alternative. Just make sure the legs/posts are very secure and tight. She bought hers at Tractor Supply but am sure other places have them as well. Had a good time at the CCRBA Night show on June 30th. The awards I made went over really well. (see earlier blog with photos) People commented that they liked winning useful things instead of trophies. The food was plentiful and the raffle table was overflowing. We flew in 3 judges and wished more exhibitors could have taken advantage of their skills. A nice breeze kicked up for the nighttime show and there were no mosquitos!
This year especially I've noticed many new faces and names on exhibitor sheets that were unfamiliar. I'm hoping this will be an influx of new folks who can take over some of the show duties from us weary ones. Remember when you go to a show, have some positive input. If there is something you foresee as a problem, ask about it and offer a solution. Often times there is a valid reason why things are done a certain way. It may be a tried and true reason or it may be something that can actually be improved upon with your helpful suggestion. Without your input, we can never know. Example - At this show a person complained that they wouldn't be getting an award for their breed. (her exact words were that it sucked) The club gives awards out to the top 5 Open breeds, those are the breeds exhibiting the highest numbers. The club does provide ribbons down to 5th place for every breed, every class. This person was the only exhibitor showing in that breed and showing only 4 rabbits. They complained that it wasn't worth their while to bring the 4 since she wouldn't be getting an award or the sweepstakes points because the breed wasn't sanctioned. (I have to mention that I haven't seen anyone show this breed in Maine since the 1990's.) I told her the club would pay the sanction if it was requested and 10 or more were shown. That is the norm for all Maine clubs. She could donate the sanction if less than 10 were shown or perhaps drum up some more exhibitors of that breed to make the 10 minimum. Because, let's be real here..... awards are won on competitiveness and how competitive is it to be the ONLY exhibitor and with ONLY 4 rabbits??? As one rabbit exhibitor said many years ago, it would be like kissing your sister. In politics, if you are the only one running for office, are you the "winner" of an election? I can't imagine the sweepstakes points mattering either if you are only hauling four rabbits to a show but she said it did. I mentioned that she was entitled to ribbons for every class placement she won. She said she had shown horses for years and was sick of ribbons. So I mentioned that her Best of Breed animal would go up for Best in Show and get a chance to receive an ARBA Grand Champion leg if it won BIS or Reserve in Show AND an award. No satisfaction there either I guess. So I tried to explain the reality of numbers that doesn't make it cost effective for a club to give out BOB awards, many costing $6-$10. each for every breed entered. Clubs have to keep expenses in check as many clubs have recently lost money on shows. Her 4 entries x $4.00 = $16.00. Out of which is spent, a BOB award $8. and 4 ribbons $2.00 and out of the remaining $6.00 a club has to pay a judge's fee, judge's airfare & hotel, meal(s) and show location cost. She didn't want to consider that. Instead she complained that there weren't enough ND's shown for her friend from FIVE states away to come all the way to Maine. Not sure what that had to do with the Top 5 awards other than to deflect attention from the reasonable answer to her complaint. Clearly there was nothing we could do or say to make this person happy. And that there was more than the lacking an award that making her so displeased with life. Sometimes people don't want an answer nor a solution, they just want to complain. What a nicer first impression this person would have made if they'd just said, "Those are nice awards, I sure wish I was getting one, even though I show just a few rabbits." Instead of, "Well that sucks, why can't I get an award too." Was her input part of a solution or was she creating a problem that didn't exist but in her mind? Putting on rabbit shows are hard work put on by few people. Get involved in your local rabbit club. Have your say at meetings when things are being planned and easier to implement, than after the fact at a show. Going to a show and not a member? You can still bring a food table donation, something nice for the raffle table, sponsor a sanction or award, write for a judge or help in some small way. Supporting a rabbit show isn't simply writing out a check for your entry fee and showing. It is about supporting clubs, supporting other exhibitors, supporting the show staff, especially the hard working show secretaries. Leave the showroom with a kind word and not a rudely worded complaint that will remain as an uncomplimentary reflection of yourself. I seldom make a blog post such as this. I guess I just felt like complaining. Mea culpa! My solution will be to try to be more understanding with those who are not. |
AuthorHoping to share the rabbitry happenings & thoughts. Also HINTS that I hope will help you and your rabbits.
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