| Rabbit
Show Basics
Before
you try to show rabbits, I urge you to purchase the
American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) Standard
of Perfection--read it and study the standard. The
standard has information on the qualities that your
rabbit will be judged upon. You have to know all
the terms that the standard covers as well as learn
what would be a disqualification or an elimination,
what colors and body type is correct for your breed,
etc. You should know as much as you can about rabbits
to show them well, and knowing the breed standard
by heart is a very wise idea. Otherwise, if you have
a disqualified animal, for example, and try showing
it, you've just wasted your entry fee.
Any
rabbit being shown must have a legible ear
tattoo in the left ear. If you do not have your rabbit
tattooed, you will probably be able to find someone
to do it for you if you know where to look. A good
place to start looking is with your local rabbit
club--someone who has a tattoo set might be willing
to do it for you. You can also look for a judge or
registrar (there are registrars at rabbit shows),
but they might charge you for the service. What to
tattoo is up to you--it can be any combination of
letters or numbers, as there is no rule regarding
the tattoo (other than it must be legible and in
the left ear). Finding
and Entering Shows Locate
a rabbit show that you'd like to attend by visiting
the ARBA site. Once you've found a show, contact
the show secretary and request a show catalog. The
show catalog will give you all the pertinent info
about the show--when the show is, how much entry
fees are, who is judging, the check-in time, what
time the show starts, where the show is, what the
show rules are, etc. After
you get the catalog, fill out the entry form and
mail it in by the deadline with the entry fee to
the address listed. Some shows require a pre-entry--you have to
send it in by the deadline or your money will be
sent back and you will not be allowed to enter. If
the show is a "day-of-entry" show, you simply pay
your fee and do all the paperwork the day of the
show. You might be able to send in your paperwork
and fees ahead of time. If the catalog does not have
an entry form, you will be able to get it at the
show (day-of-entry shows will have all paperwork
you need)I If you have any questions about the paperwork, ask someone--they
will be happy to help you fill it out correctly.
Be very cautious when filling out the paperwork. All
information must match
on the entry form and the remark cards. If you "scratch" an
animal (remove it), you might be able to substitute
another. In most cases the substitution must be in
the same breed,
variety, sex and class. Check with the show secretary
for details. The
Showroom The
show superintendent and/or show committee will put a list of
breeds together. Usually certain breeds (ones that tend to have
a large number of entries) will start first. If you have one
of those breeds, you must enter on time--if you enter
late, you are out of luck. Leave early so
you have plenty of time--if you get there too late and the show
has already started--too bad. When you arrive at the show, leave
the animals in the car and find the entry booth. Fill out your
paperwork, pay your fees, and walk around the showroom. Usually
there will be several long tables set up, and a posting of the
breeds and the judge's name will be available by each table. Locate
where your breed is going to be judged, and go fetch your rabbit(s).
Set up as close to the table where your breed will be shown as
possible because you have to be paying attention and carry your
animals up to the table when your entry is called. Try not to
have a leaky carrier, and if your rabbit makes a mess please clean
it up! Now
you wait. Pack a comfortable lawn chair, take a book, and perhaps
pack a cooler with snacks and a drink. Wear comfortable, sturdy
walking shoes, too. If you have a breed that is a bit further
down the list--you might have several hours to kill, so you can
walk around, watch the judging, talk to breeders, etc. Pay
attention to what is going on at the table where your breed will
be judged--if judging for mini lops is followed by fuzzy lops,
for example, and the judges are picking best of breed mini lop,
you know fuzzy lops will be up very soon! Before taking
your rabbit to be judged, give him a good grooming. Dampen your
hands and work the fur to remove loose hairs, remove static,
and add sheen and life to the coat. Read
Part 2, which covers Judging Order, Evaluation, and Show
Ettiquette.
| 
