A Week Well Filled

Farm Show of 2016 is history already. It feels like the year of 2015 just started and here we are in 2016! This year is flying by and it just started. It was a great Farm Show week and I am glad that I was able to spend it with the people I did. The week started out amazing because of the rabbit show. All of my rabbits did really well, but one of my rabbits that participated is very special to me. His name is Zo, a Giant Angora. When Zo was born, his mom didn't take care of him and he was the only survivor out of a litter of ten. Zo needed a lot of special care in order to live. Today, Zo is about 10 1/2 pounds and he was ready for Farm Show. I showed him in his class and he won best of breed! As if that wasn't an accomplishment in and of itself, he went on to win Reserve in Show! That means that he placed second of all the others shown in all the breeds in the youth show! I am so proud of him. 

On Saturday, the opening day, I started by participating in a sheep skill-a-thon. In this skill-a-thon, it was my first year competing and I wasn't really sure how I was going to do. I am proud to say that I placed 8th in my category! After the sheep skill-a-thon, I participated in rabbit showmanship. I was really nervous because it was my first time in the senior division and I was using Zo for the first time as well.  Normally, I participate in showmanship with a smaller American Fuzzy Lop.  Even though I had those things pondering in my mind, I still went up and tried my best. I waited in suspense until I knew how or if I placed. They announced the senior category last starting with 5th place and as they worked their way to first, I could hardly believe when they announced my name as the first place winner! I couldn't believe it and my mom even shed some tears! I was thrilled!

Sunday consisted of a lot of presentations in the rabbit room.  Also, checking in with mom at our Blue Mountain Farms booth, which did very well throughout the week.  Sunday led into Monday very quickly.  On Monday, I spent most of the day in the rabbit room trying to promote PaSRBA, Pennsylvania State Rabbit Breeders Association, as best as I possibly could and I also participated in a demonstration about the fiber aspect of rabbits.  I also volunteered in a 4-H Information booth on Monday.

Tuesday was fulfilled with Potato Judging in the morning.  Yes, I did just say potato judging, who knew?  I participated in that contest with a team of three from Dauphin county.  I was very proud of my team because we placed fourth and it was only our second year!  Tuesday night was spent packing up and preparing for Wednesday's Fleece to Shawl and Sheep to Shawl.  Of course that was the night that it snowed as well.

On Wednesday, we started very early and ended very late.  We had three youth teams participating in Fleece to Shawl and one adult team in Sheep to Shawl.  My team's theme was the 80's since that was the year that the Sheep to Shawl was first held.  We built on the theme a lot.  Our team's name is the Twisted Sisters so we incorporated that a lot. The other teams had themes of mermaids and lanterns.  We all did very well and I am proud to be a part of Tri-County 4-H Fiber Artists club.  My team finished with only three minutes to spare!  Sadly, we were five inches short so we placed last, but we also walk away with the weavers and overall spinners award!  Also, our shawl sold for $1,650!  We were proud of how we did and we are already talking about next year.  I am also so, so proud of my mom and sister's team.  They finished and did very well too! 

Thursday came and went.  In the morning, I showed my sheep, Queen Bee and Queen Polly.  I thought that they did very well.  I didn't place very well because the judge wasn't judging them on their wool, he was judging them on meat  which is not their primary use.  We did the best we could and that's all that matters.  That night, I also helped usher at the rodeo for a fundraiser for 4-H Exchange club.  I had a great time and I even was able to watch a little bit of the rodeo!  I hope next year, I can sit down and watch the whole rodeo. 

I couldn't believe it, but it was Friday already!  With Friday, came the Open sheep show.  I showed my two sheep and it was the same story on Friday as it was on Thursday.  The Judge was looking for more size and structure, but it's okay, I had the chance to walk around and enjoy the day then.  I walked around with some friends and I had  good time.  Once the evening rolled around, I participated in the Angora Palooza.  Angora Palooza is an event much like the Sheep to Shawl, but we use rabbits instead of sheep and we construct scarves instead of shawls.  This was the first year that we held this event so we only had four teams.  Since we had four teams, we thought that it would be a fun idea if we used the four seasons as our themes!  I served as the weaver of the spring team.  All of the teams finished in time and my team placed second!  Tyler, my brother, was the auctioneer of the scarves and he did a wonderful job; he even set a record!  The Angora Palooza was a very fun event and I hope we have it next year so it can grow.

We blinked and it was the last day, Saturday was here!  I spent the morning in the rabbit room.  I was sad that it was the last day already.  I wished that it was a little bit longer, but at the same time I was glad that I didn't have to wake up early and I could stay at home.  It was crazy that night because we had to load up and get everything together plus, Tyler, Ashley, Matt, and I all had to usher at the rodeo.  When we went home, mom made dinner for all of us, and we had a Farm Show after party. 

Oh! I almost forgot! My shawl won Best in Show!

After the showmanship awards!

Zo in the Champion row! 

Zo and I in an interview for PCN

Two of my meat pen rabbits in a presentation

Judging the rabbit hopping contest



My team for Fleece to Shawl

Queen Bee and Queen Polly getting ready to show!

I love my family!



I only have to wait for ten more days then she comes home!

Iris!!

Some of the best things come when you wait. I have wanted a puppy for a long time now. I wanted a puppy to teach agility and have as a friend. I've asked and asked and asked and asked when finally, mom said, "We will go to a shelter to look into adopting a dog after Farm Show."  I was okay with that, so I started looking at dogs available in shelters. I found one dog. His name was Dino, a Border Collie Labrador Retriever mix.  Right away told mom about him and we started filling out the adoption application for him. I was really hopeful about Dino. Once we finished the application, we sent it in. I emailed the place that he was housed and asked what his story was. They emailed back saying that he was a stray found in Georgia. They also said that they did not receive our application so they sent us a different form we started to fill out the form, but at the bottom, it said,"All animals on the property that the animal will be kept on need to be spayed or neutered." May I just add, I live on a farm?  So, Dino didn't work out. 

About a week later, my mom, sister Ashley, her boyfriend Matt, his mom Deb, and I all went to an open house that Kelly Anderson, the same person who gave me Queen Bee and Queen Polly, my sheep, was hosting. Kelly lives in West Virginia, so we had an early morning start. Once we arrived, we presented her with a gift that was very special to her. Ashley, my mom, and I all worked together to construct a hand knit blanket from animals, sheep and rabbits, that she had given us! We also processed the fiber in the fiber mill! She was thrilled with her gift! After the surprise, we went outside to see some of the animals. Needless to say, I went over to her dogs. She has a breed of dog that are on the conservancy list much like the Leicester Longwool sheep, the Karakachan which originates in Bulgaria. Little did I know, Lily, one of her dogs, was due to have a litter the next week! I was so happy for Kelly! I spent the afternoon talking to her husband, Rick, about how Karakachans would be with agility.  I talked to him for a long time. After my conversation with him, I decided that Karakachans were the breed that I needed to work with. I kept up with Lily on how she was doing and when she was going to have her puppies. 

The following week, Lily had her puppies. She had a litter of six and they are all healthy. I contacted Kelly a few times just checking in on them and every time, she would make sure that I knew that there was a waiting list for these puppies. I wasn't too thrilled to hear that, but I was glad that all of the puppies were going to permanent homes. After two weeks, Christmas came around. Every year, we go on a scavenger hunt for our biggest presents. This year, we did one for mom, then Tyler, Ashley, and finally me. I was a little bit confused when mom sat me down in a chair in front of the computer and started to play a slideshow of all of my animal projects through 4-H. Towards the end, there was a picture of Dexter and it said, "Gone but not forgotten." The next picture was a picture of my favorite puppy out of Lily's litter and it said, "Do you have room for me?" I balled my eyes out! I couldn't believe my eyes! I named her Iris and she will be my puppy! I can't wait to get her on January 31st! It's safe to say that I had the best Christmas ever. 

 I can not wait to meet her! Just look at her face! 

Little Nugget

The past few days, I have been caring for one little friend.  This friend has had a tough life so far.  I am hoping that my friend makes it.  This friend is a baby Giant Angora rabbit.  I call her Little Nugget.  The day she was born, I found her on the rabbitry floor.  The mom wasn't too fond of them on day one.  She had a total of 8.  Unfortunately 4 did not make it.  I still had four left so right away a ran into the house to keep them warm and care for them.  Once they were all warm, I carried the mom, Abby, into the house to let her nurse the babies.

After two weeks of walking out to the rabbitry, taking Abby out of her cage, carrying her into the house, and holding her in a way that she is comfortable and the kits could nurse still, I decided that she might like to care for them herself.  After I put them together, she seemed to show much curiosity for them, so I checked on them hourly.  They all had full milk bellies so I thought they should be okay.  Once they were under Abby's care for two days, I checked each one to see how they were doing.  I was mortified to see that the runt was rejected!  I separated Little Nugget from Abby and brought her into the house.  I stole a bag of goat milk that was in the freezer to start defrosting so I could feed Nugget.  Once the milk was defrosted a little, I heated up a bottle for Nugget.  She drank it right away!

Nugget started to grow after that day and now, she is looking great!  She is drinking more and more everyday.  Oh, I almost forgot!  The three siblings of Nugget are all growing, nursing, and looking wonderful!  I hope that Nugget will make it.  Wish her good luck!

Nugget and sibling - one day old

Reintroduced to Abby

Nugget!

So tired after bottle time

Falling asleep



"Oh, hello there."

Nugget loves bottle time!

Secret loves Nugget!

Nugget running around!

Happy Holidays from Nugget!

A Great Trip and Great Memories

Hello everyone!  This past week was the American Rabbit Breeders Association national convention, held in Portland, Oregon!  I am so glad that I had the opportunity to go.  Since it was so far away, my mom and I flew out instead of driving.  It was very stressful because I have never flown rabbits before and I wasn't sure how it was going to work out.  I am happy to say the, with a lot of paper work and figuring out, my three rabbits, Nate, Brown Sugar, and Trump, all made it onto the plane safe and sound! 

The day that we arrived, we put the rabbits in their pens to get acclimated and then we went to the youth area so I could check into the youth contest the next day.  I participated in breed ID, judging, team breed ID, team judging, and I also had to take a written exam.  For breed ID, you only have to go in once, but since I was on a team, our whole team had to go in together.  If you are on a team, you do not talk to each other, but your scores are all combined.  Your personal score is what you have for participating as an individual. 

After breed ID, I then went to my judging class.  For judging, you judge four classes of either rabbits or cavies and you have 7 minutes per class.  For team, each member of your team has to pick two of four classes and those are the two classes you judge.  For team, I chose a class of New Zealands and a class of English Spots.  I liked those two classes because they were both interesting breeds and I knew a little bit about each breed.  I was happy to be on my team because we all worked well together and had a great time too. 

On Sunday, all of the royalty contestants had to take a written exam.  I usually look forward to the exam since you learn something new every year; however, the exam this year was very challenging.  It was a little confusing at times, but I now have something to study for next year.  It also prepared me a little for my registrars test that I am hoping to retake in January. 

Once you are finished with everything, you wait to see if you receive a call back for an interview.  I am very proud to say that I was called back for an interview!  That in itself was an accomplishment since I was in such a large group of impressive girls.  I was thrilled with how I did in the interview and then it was time to wait.  At this point, you don't know how well you competed until the banquet. 

On Sunday, the same day as the test, all of my rabbits showed.  In American Fuzzy Lops, Brown Sugar, a solid senior doe, placed third in a class of 14!  Nate, a broken senior buck, placed second out of a class of 8!  I was ecstatic to see how well they did.  For English Angoras, my little white senior buck, who I worked very hard to make it to this show, placed second to the best in show winner!  That is a pretty big deal, I think. 

On Tuesday, I didn't have much to do during the day, so my mom and two friends of ours went to see what all Oregon had to offer.  We only had a few hours, but we were not going all that way without putting our piggies in the Pacific.  So we went to the beach!  It was a very pretty beach, but it was a little chilly.  I am excited that I get to cross that off my bucket list!

That night it was time for the youth banquet where all of the awards were presented.  I am happy to be in District 9 because we all sat together and had a wonderful time.  It was also interesting because all of the teams that participated together sat with each other.  Now, in my opinion, that is what it's all about. 

After dinner, it was finally time for the awards.  They started with the Management and Achievement contest.  It was an honor to be the winner of District 9 and a runner up nationally for both contests!  After that, breed ID and judging awards were announced.  For team breed ID and judging, we learned that our team placed as runner up nationally!  We were all very proud of ourselves.  Although I didn't place for the Duchess category, I think that I, and my team, did very well!

Well, the next day was the last day, and I was happy to know that I was going home, but I was sad to say goodbye to the convention center.  I had a wonderful time and I can't wait until next year!




District 9




Abigail and I ready for our interviews



Before my interview

Caleb, Isaac, Abigail, and I waiting for our interviews

Waiting for English Angoras to show

Trump!!

Judging

I am judging a class of Dwarf Hotots.  Doesn't it look like I have a hat on?

Waiting for Judging to start

Piggies in the Pacific!



Taking pictures of the beach

Management awards

Team breed ID

District 9

While we were gone, we lost a great friend.  Dexter walked a little too close to the mailman's car and sadly was run over.  He was 14 years old and was such an awesome dog.  He gave us so many great memories and I will always miss him.  I loved this little guy, but he is in a better place now.  He is now able to see and not have to worry whether he'll make it up the next step or not.  I miss him already!  Bye bye Dexter.  You were the best dog.  Enjoy the Rainbow Bridge.  

A Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins with a Single Step

Hello everyone!  I am counting down the days until we leave for the American Rabbit Breeders Association national convention!  I am so excited for it!  I have been keeping busy with grooming my rabbits, studying, preparing cages and kennels for the flight,  and so much more.  I have also been busy with some other things too.  Such as The Pa State Horse Show and shadowing my veterinarian, Cindy. 

As for the State Horse Show, I qualified to show my miniature horse, Journey, in a trial class and CJ in intermediate English showmanship.  On Thursday, Journey stayed the night at the Farm Show Complex, where the show was held, and on Friday morning was shown in his class.  As soon as we arrived on Thursday night, I gave him a bath and worked him so he would get acclimated.  Once he was all settled in with his blanket on, I went home until the next morning. 

On Friday morning, even before the crack of dawn, my mom and I drove to the Farm Show so we could ready Journey for the show.  Matt Bishop also came down that morning to help me with Journey.  I prepared him by lunging him in an outdoor pen, then we practiced in the schooling class, and finally I dressed in my English showing clothes and fancied Journey for his class!  I thought we were doing well with time, but then realized we were the first to go out of 18 contestants.  The announcer was calling for line-ups and we were still in the stall.  So we had to race to the line-up in order to make it on time.  We made it with only moments to spare and even less than that to catch my breath.  I was beaming when I heard my name and number announced over the loud speaker at the Pennsylvania State 4-H Horse Show!  We have come a long way since his early days of leaving me in the dust when he would escape my grip, which he did often.  Now, here we were performing with the best of the best.  Once we completed our pattern, I was very proud of how we did!  Even though we didn't place, I still think that we did an awesome job!  I did a lot of work with the little nugget and am looking forward to continuing next year with him. 

The next day, Matt brought CJ down for our Sunday morning Showmanship class.  I worked a lot with her that night and then gave her a bath.  At 5:00 Sunday morning, Matt and Ashley went down to the Farm Show and started braiding CJ's mane.  At 5:30, my mom and I headed down with breakfast (which was a lifesaver that day, thanks to mom!).  I helped with CJ and then prepared for the show.  Once CJ and I were ready, we headed down to the arena where we showed.  We were the fifth to show in our class of 25 youth.  I watched the first few give their best while I warmed up.  They called my number, 353, and I lined up to start. As soon as I heard the announcer say, "Thank you," I felt like jumping up and down with joy!  I showed two horses at the state horse show and did well in both of my classes!  I was very proud of CJ, Journey, and myself.  Matt, Ashley, and my mom were all very happy and proud as well!  At that time, they announced everyone back in to the ring to call the placements.  I am very, very proud to announce that we won 10th place!  I was ecstatic!  Thanks to Matt, Ashley, and my mom who helped me a lot and I wouldn't have been able to do it without them! 

For my biology class this year in school, I am shadowing my veterinarian, Cindy.  She has been able to teach me a lot already and I've only shadowed her twice.  I am really looking forward to this. Yesterday was the second time that I shadowed her and I had the wonderful chance to watch her give a dairy cow surgery!  Let's just say that this is only reinforcing the fact that I really hope to become a veterinarian when I grow up and hope to continue shadowing and learning more every time!

Until I come back from A.R.B.A. nationals (there will definitely have a new blog post then!),
Your friend,
Madi

Journey and I waiting for trail!

Journey and I starting trail!

After trail

Walking in for awards

Waiting for them to announce the awards





About to start showmanship

Ready for showmanship!





CJ and I with our ribbon!