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.