Good Friends Work Together

Better late then never, right? This American Rabbit Breeders Association nationals was one to remember! This convention is a rabbit show for ARBA members all around the nation to come and show their rabbits. This year, it was held in Indianapolis, Indiana and was from October 1st to October 5th. I had a lot of fun seeing and catching up with everyone I knew. I participated in the youth contests and I showed rabbits. I showed Giant Angoras, English Angoras, one Satin Angora, and one Flemish Giant. I was very excited to show my Flemish Giant, Sandy, since her coat was in molt all summer, but, right before nationals, her coat came into prime condition! I wasn't really sure what to expect, especially when I learned that there where over 100 youth Flemish Giants and 15 in her class alone, but when her class was called up, I watched as the judge was sending one at a time back to their coops and my Sandy was still up there! She placed first in her class and went on to win Best of Variety and Best of Breed! All of the Flemish breeders were so nice and excited for me and my bunny! That night, I had the opportunity to participate in an Escape Room with a few other D9 youth and adults, which was a lot of fun! We did escape the room after finding all of the clues, but we may have been about 20 seconds over our time... 

The next day, the youth Angoras showed. In English Angoras, my Senior does placed third and fourth in their class and received wonderful comments from the judge. Their placing was understandable since they recently turned senior age and they had a rough start resulting from them being raised on goat milk as kits after their mom unfortunately passed, but I am excited to continue showing them.  In Satin Angoras, my Senior doe placed second which was great considering she wasn't in the best show condition that day after beginning to blow her coat from the extreme temperature fluctuations in the weeks leading to convention. Finally, Giant Angoras showed. My senior buck, intermediate buck, junior buck, and junior doe all placed first in their classes and my intermediate buck went on to win Best of Breed and Rachel Penterman won Best Opposite of Breed with her beautiful intermediate doe! In the youth contests, I participated in the Management contest as well as the Achievement contest which are both contests that you send an application in on your achievements in your project as well as the caring and time you put in with your animals. I was the district winner and the national second runner up in the Management Average category and in Achievement, I won in my district and I was the national winner in senior! In breed ID, a contest where you identify the breed, size, and the variety of a rabbit or cavy, my team won third and in team judging, where you judge four classes of rabbits or cavy in 7 minutes, we placed second! I was so excited about everything this week brought!! I can't thank the Indy team enough for putting together a fantastic show. Also, I am so happy to be a part of an organization with such great leaders and role models! Looking forward to the next national convention!

Sandy and all of her awards!

My scarf that I wove won Best Garment in the wool skein and garment contest!

When your rabbit won't stand for a picture...

Sisters show together!

Scooter finally stood still!

Rachel and I with the judge and our rabbits

After Scooter won Best of Breed!

We make a great team!

Scooter on the Best in Show judging table!



And Sandy

A wove and put together a shawl and it placed first in its class

D-9

Sandy after she won Best of Breed

Sandy being judged

D-9 at the awards banquet

 

Achievement awards

 

Team judging

They are always there to support me!

We love our mom!

The ARBA President, Josh Humphries.  He is always willing to help and spend time and knowledge with youth in this industry. A great role model he is.

The ARBA Executive director, Eric Stewart.  He has taught me so much not only with rabbit and judging, but with my Angora goats as well.  I am very thankful to know him!

And.... photo bombed

Abigail!

Matt was a little tired....