Wow, My First Show! What Can I Expect?
Congratulations on taking the first step in showing
rabbits: you're going to a show. Now, what should
you expect when you go? Hopefully, this article
will help you so that the show won't be so confusing.
The keyword here is hopefully, hehe!
|
Congratulations on taking the first step
in showing rabbits: you're going to a show. Now,
what should you expect when you go? Hopefully, this
article will help you so that the show won't be so
confusing. The keyword here is hopefully, hehe!
If you're going without rabbits to the show, just
to check it out and to look for a rabbit that you may
want, then go with the attitude that you'll be there
all day. When you get there, walk about the show, meet
people, and ask them questions about their breed of
rabbit, if that breed is of interest to you. Whatever
you do, don't buy the first rabbit that you see for
sale. Look around first.
Find out who's judging the breeds that interest you,
watch the breeds being judged, and even ask a question
or two of the judge. Most judges are more than willing
to answer questions. By watching the judging, you can
pick up pointers about which traits are good and which
are bad in that breed. My kids used to say that judges
ought to judge rabbits on how cute they are. Unfortunately,
that's not the way it's done because almost all rabbits
are cute.
Make sure that you also talk to the rabbit equipment
dealer at the show about the size of the cage you should
get. You can also discuss any other equipment that
you need, such as water bottles, crocks, feeders, carriers,
etc.--unless you already have equipment at home and
are just awaiting the arrival of a bunny. Please remember--one
cage for one rabbit (unless you have a doe with a litter).
If you already have a rabbit and you want to show
it, go and have fun. Going to a rabbit show is a whole
other world. It's exciting to see all of the rabbits
and people. The hustle and bustle of a show is like
no other experience that I've ever had.
Tips on Showing for the Beginner
When you first get to the show, check in and find out
who's judging your breed and in what order the breeds
are being judged. This way you'll know if your breed
is going up on the table first, last, or somewhere
in between. If your rabbit is not one of the first
two breeds up to the table, it's a good idea to check
constantly what breed is on the table. Know which
two breeds are scheduled to be on the table just
before yours. This will help you listen better for
the time when your breed is called. While you're
waiting, check your rabbit to make sure that all
is fine and groom your rabbit if needed. Make sure
that you check the tattoo in the ear to see that
it's still there. Many times we've gone to a show--and
we've shown for years--only to find that the tattoo
that I made last week on the rabbit has disappeared.
If that happens to you, hurry up and retattoo your
rabbit if you have the equipment. If you don't, find
someone who does and who'll redo the tattoo for you.
In this case, be prepared to offer the person a dollar
for his or her services.
While waiting to have your rabbits judged, talk to
some of the breeders who have the same breed. Ask them
questions that you may have wondered about. We have
been raising rabbits for 13 years now, and I still
have questions from time to time.
Most of all, have fun and realize you've just been
bitten by the Show Fever Bug. Once you've gone to one
show, you can't wait till the next one. You'll think
that you're going nuts if you can't get to another
show and fast.
Good luck at the show. If you ever show in Oklahoma,
Missouri, or Arkansas, look up Cooley's Critters. We'd
be happy to meet you.
