I was cleaning out some old New England HL Club's show records from past years and realized how fewer HL exhibitors are showing in the area. We used to have HL Specialty shows here at Blackberry Farm in June or sometimes August in the garage. Back when there were only single shows, the specialty shows gave us a chance to show our Hollands another time, so the specialties were well attended.
Any overflow of Hollands were spread out under the big maple trees and fans were plentiful when needed. We had a great $4.00 BBQ with all you could eat, nice raffle table and sometimes a silent Holland Lop auction where we spiritedly bid on each other's coveted rabbits. Don't worry, no blood was shed.
It was a lot of fun but also a lot of work when it is held at your own house. The show tables and everything else that goes along with putting on a show would be all set up before exhibitors arrived. All they did was plunk their rabbits, visit and show. I got the judge back and forth from airport to hotel and back AND was show secretary for our Day of Show entries. I seldom got to see my own rabbits judged as I'd be running from the raffle table to the food table and getting bunnies in and out of the rabbitry. We most always went out to dinner after the show when I'd finally get to sit down!
Here are some exhibitor names and class numbers from these shows. In August 1998 there were 113 HL's shown. Normally the SSB class (19) was the biggest, not so that year. The SJD class was THIRTY-TWO! Even the SJB class had 17 entered. We had 14 exhibitors from ME, MA, NH, NY, NJ and Nova Scotia. Both Sr Doe classes were won by Lois Marshall, two B/C classes won by Marylouise Cowan, a few other no longer HL'ers like Cindi Kyller, Chris Gurney, Donna Heartz and Lani Beaudet.
In June 2002 we had 116 HL's with again 14 exhibitors with wonderful Audrey's Boyd winning BOB for Diane Giordani after taking on 30 other SSB's. Gwynn Lapoint won the SJD class of 19. The rest of the wins were spread around amongst some of us still showing today, Marie Heath, Diane Giordani, Pat & Val Cammack, Barry Hustins and myself.
The Now -
I would love to see a lot of HL exhibitors showing in the State of Maine again. I met a few exhibitors at the Midnight Madness show and a couple of beginners at the Cumberland RBA June night show. I don't like to point out a problem or areas needing improvement without trying to think of a solution. So..... if anyone would like to learn more about showing Holland Lops, please email me. If you'd like to learn more about your own HL's, pull me aside at a non-busy time at a show and I'll gladly look over your rabbits for you. I've even had folks bring their animals to my place to go over them in a less hectic environment. I can tell you what is good and what needs to be worked on. Hollands are such a multi-part breed that it isn't easy whether you've been in it for a year or ten years. We all have our pet peeves about certain faults and some breeders opinions will differ just as judge's opinions differ at shows. Don't take one person's opinion, whether another breeder or a judge. If you go to a show and don't do well, go to a few more shows. Most of all, listen to what the judge says and not just worry about the placement number. The placement number doesn't necessarily reflect what you are working on at HOME! If the same comment keeps coming back that the animal is weak in the shoulders, then it probably is. If an animal is poses well it might place higher in the class than on a day when it doesn't want to sit still. You will get less comments on the latter as it is harder for the judge to evaluate.
The best way is to visit rabbitries to get some "one-on-one" time. Some breeders have "closed barns" which means they will not let folks see their rabbitries or visit. Other breeders are willing to show you their herds, go over their rabbits showing you what is a strength or fault so you learn what to look for in a GOOD Holland. The more HL's you look at, the clearer picture you can get firmly seated in your head to refer to when looking at your own or potential stock for sale.
Let's get those exhibitor numbers back up again along with entries too. I'd love to see each class winner receive a grand champion leg. It makes attending the shows worthwhile and let's you know how your stock measures up against other folk's stock. Don't be afraid to ask questions. If you don't understand something at the table ask another exhibitor. Or if you need a specific answer from a judge, wait until after the breed is done and then ask. Most are more than happy to explain a phrase or descriptive they've used.
Hope to see MORE of YOU at the shows in Maine!!!