ENTERING OUR FIRST SHOW!!

     This past fourth of July weekend, my family and I packed up two of our little orange junior does and headed off to our first show! What a great time we had! My two boys showed in the youth competition and both brought home a ribbon! That was the best first try we could have imagined. I want to write a little about my first impressions of our "show experience" and give a few pointers to someone ready to go to their first show.
     First of all, I can certainly see how this could become a real habit. I can see myself trying to find all the shows in my area to attend! The first thing you do when you arrive is check in at the main desk. I had registered via email and the show secretary had all my information right in front of her. It was very organized which made it less confusing for this first timer. I paid the day of show although usually you would try and register and pay the entry fee ahead of time through the mail. Now that I had checked in and paid my entry fee, the waiting began...  Still, it was a very interesting wait...
     It is at this point that one of the best parts of the show began. This is the time while you're waiting, that you should try and talk to more experienced breeders about any questions you might have. I learned at this show how kind most people are at the shows and how wonderful rabbit people are about stopping to answer a novice's question. So much can be learned about the showing, breeding and raising of your rabbits right there at the show. During a break there are many experienced breeders and judges who will take the time to answer a question or look at a rabbit for you. There is more to learn through watching and asking questions then any of the books will tell you!
     Also, it was very interesting to listen to the judge's comments on the different groups of rabbits. I learned a lot about which features work better on the judge's table. It really gives you a chance to see first hand what traits are best in your breed. Then, when you have to listen to the comments about your own rabbit you begin to understand what the judge is saying about your little treasure. This can be hard to listen to since each of your rabbits is near perfect and special in your eyes but it is a necessary part of showing and breeding. The judge's comments can show you what type of rabbit you have and what type of rabbit you should breed it to for better resulting offspring. This can help you make decisions on your breeding goals and look for the right stock with the best traits to breed back to your own rabbits. For example, we learned that our little does are both a little long in the body. This would mean that I could look for a buck that would be shorter in the body to compensate for this feature in our doe. This was great information for me as a novice because it told me a little something about what I should be looking for in a future buck.
     Now that you know what traits you are looking for in new rabbits to add to your breeding herd, you can enjoy walking around the show during the breaks talking to other breeders and looking at rabbits for sale. This can be an exciting adventure if you  keep a look out and discover a rabbit with just the traits you were hoping to find. One added bit of advice about looking around as a novice. It always helps if you ask others advice before you purchase a rabbit. Until you gain more experience, have someone take a look also and give you their opinion. Deciding which rabbits to add to your rabbitry will affect your future breedings and is an important decision. Also, ask the person who is selling the rabbit questions about the rabbit's temperment and breeding history. If they don't have an history yet, ask about the parents. You should get to know as much about this rabbit as possible before taking it home. Don't be too quick to purchase the rabbit! It's so easy to get caught up in the moment and jump at the opportunity but make sure you are making the best educated decision you can. As a beginning breeder this involves getting the most advice you can and learning as much as you can about the little rabbit.
     At this first show we didn't purchase any new dwarfs but it was a very exciting day for us all. My kids wanted their ribbons clipped to the front of their shirts the entire day and when bedtime came they wanted them safely tucked under their pillows! As for mom, I was more smitten then ever with the hobby. I'm sure I'll become a regular smiling face at all our local shows! The best advice I can give the beginner after our first show experience is to give it a try!! There is so much to do and learn at the shows and it is a wonderful way for the family to do something together. My kids came away with a feeling of accomplishment which is worth any number of cage trays to clean (well, within reason:>).
     I would love to hear from other beginners about their experiences the first time at a show. Email me with your story and any new information you learned as a beginning breeder. I'd love to hear from you and maybe get to know a few novice breeders out there!