Show in 2 weeks!

[MamaSheepdog]

There is a show in Bakersfield on the 28th, and I want to take a few rabbits to it, and see how they do. I'll probably enter 3 bucks (my original and 2 of his get) and haven't decided how many does yet. As many as I can find carriers for probably! I only have two 2 compartment carriers so far- maybe I'll order some more. I might need to have a couple of empty ones just in case... :twisted:

I've been browsing around in this forum trying to learn more, so if you see an old thread resurrected, that would be why!

 

[skysthelimit]

I hope you have fun, and bring back something good. I can hardly wait to go to my first show, I hope I don't screw it up, sounds like a lot is going on there.

 

[SatinsRule]

MSD, The best advice I can give you is to enjoy yourself and get to know the other breeders who are present. Chances are good that if you make the most of it, you'll be back the next time one rolls into a town near you.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Thanks guys! I spoke to a local Registrar earlier, and she said there aren't many St. Rex shown in Ca., so maybe I'll win my class if it's just my rabbits there, lol. I'm looking at it as a small investment in my education- I hope to learn a lot from the judges and other exhibitors.

There is another show just a little further away at the end of March, and I should have some kits ready, I think. They would be about 10 weeks old by then. Is there a minimum age to begin showing?

 

[currituckbun]

I would love to go to a show to look around and see how it all works. I would not want the pressure of showing the first time I went.Any advice as to what to expect?

 

[Typykal]

Whew....our first show was a heck of a learning experience. It all seemed pretty chaotic at the time. It took us getting a few more shows under our belts before we began to find some order in the chaos.

There is no minimum age for showing - there is usually a minimum weight - I'm not sure what it is for standard rex. The only draw back I could see to taking 10 week olds would be that the rex fur doesn't come into it's own until they are older, so older juniors would have that advantage over yours. But you will still get to hear the judges comments on your type, and how much promise they show coat wise - which is really helpful.

As far as advice goes Currituckbun - stay close to the table your breed is being judged on - there's usually no PA so if you miss the announcement you end up missing the class and it's not hard to do. It's pretty easy to get the help you need if you just let everyone know it's your first show and you'll get pointed in the right directions. Show up early if you do decide to take a rabbit, in case you need to make any changes, once the show starts you can't change your class or ear numbers.

We had a great time at our first - although we were very politely asked at one point to refrain from taking photos of our rabbit on the show table....we had no idea that it is taboo to do anything that indicates that you may own a particular rabbit once it is on the judging table! *Oops*

 

[boundarybunnyco]

we are going to "spectate" at a show tomorrow. I am dragging hubby along. I don't have any plans to show, but you just never know. I want to see what goes on and check out everyone else's bunnies.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

BoundaryBunny,

take good notes, as I expect a comprehensive report upon your return! And don't forget to bring carriers in case someone else's bunnies become your bunnies! :lol:

 

[Bramble Hedge]

Well we have our first show of the year on the 4th Feb, I am so excited as I will be debuting my satin pair. I love showing my buns, they are no where near as perfect as the ones their but it's all a learning curve, and a whole lot of fun. Oh and of course by the time you get home you will be looking into at least another three breeds lol

 

[BlackBunny]

I have my very first show coming up in Feb, I wish I could find more in BC but I have the one and I'll be there, with my bunnies, just trying to decide which ones.
Should be fun.

 

[currituckbun]

Thanks. I think spectating with some...cages in the car would be a good way start.

 

[5dognightfarm]

Have fun, and don't forget to take some camp chairs with you. We always forget. There's a show here too on the 28th, the state 4-H show, looking forward to it!

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Chairs! Excellent advice! We always forget to take them places too. Good luck at your show, Cait!

 

[Bill]

When we went to our first show last year it seemed chaotic to say the least! We too went as spectators the first time just to observe and learn how things went. We've been involved in showing animals both as participates and as show organizers but rabbit shows are a lot different. There is a method to the madness, and we've come to understand it better. The shows we've been to have taught us a few things: Wear comfortable shoes, do take those chairs, check out the showroom to see where your breed(s) will be showing but pay attention for any changes, meet new people and make new friends.

We are definently hooked and hope to make many more shows this coming year.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Thanks for the input, Bill. Comfortable shoes? All I ever wear are cowboy boots or ropers. I don't have any tennis shoes or hiking boots, even! I think boots are comfy though, and I'm on my feet all day except when glued to RT.

I would love to go to a show as a spectator, but they are all so distant. Bakersfield is only 50 miles away, Tehachapi about 65, but every other one is 200 or more miles one way. With gas prices as they are, I can't afford a practice run so will just have to jump into the craziness feet first.

It will be okay- the kids will come and help. I'm not sure if Hubs will want to come, and I'm not sure I want him to. He may try to restrain my Galloping Rabbitosis, and that would be sad indeed. :twisted: Let's hope he doesn't ask too many questions when he sees me loading empty carriers into the car!

 

[Bill]

I never said boots weren't comfortable! LOL, that's what I spend most of my time in. An example of this past weekend for example: Load 4 pigs in the trailer Thursday night for our Grands to show for 4-H, hit the road @ 6 AM Friday morning to travel, unload weigh, wash and get ready for showmanship classes that began at 5 PM, make the motel around 10 PM. Back at the barn before 6 AM to feed and get ready to show nn classes 4, 7, 35 and 49 (the last class of the day). Pizza at the motel about 9:45 PM. Sunday morning repeat with pigs in classes 4,6,7 and 17, load up at 2:30 PM to drive home, unload and store everything. I almost lived in my boots all weekend, taking them off only to walk from the truck to the motel, I'd have probably been kicked out if I would have worn those boots in! Needless to say a good pair of boots is greatly appreciated!

I did forget the one other thing to carry is at least one extra carrier spot, you'll certainly find something for sale you'll like, trust me. Although there has been a few times I wish we wouldn't have had a spot to bring something home in....

The first show we went to as spectators was about 250 miles away but we were able to include it in another trip we were on so it wasn't that big of a deal. Here in Georgia there are 2 shows a year about 75 miles from us, a couple more about 200 miles away, and then 2 more even further. There are several, almost monthly, in Florida and we've down to those a few times.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Wow, busy weekend! I hope the piggies took some ribbons home.