Well I went to my first rabbit show this morning. I got there at around 7:30, and my friend (who has done this before) got there at 8 and helped me to fill out my papers etc. I took my pair of Siamese Satins and my Mini lop kits that where born on August 5th.
First of all it was A LOT of fun, but wow hectic! I think from now on unless I go with someone who will be able to show one of my breeds I will just take one breed. I entered all six rabbits I took into two of the three shows ( only some breeds got three shows). The satins went first but before it got to the Siamese they called the Mini-lops, so I had to go get them, luckally the two tables where next to each other so I was able to go back and forth.
So the less then great results
Buster - Siamese Satin buck
1st show (don't remember who judged it, they didn't put the name on the remark card)
Placed 2 of 2
Head - good
Ears - good
crown-Blank
Bone - good
Type - Good
Shoulders - Good
Midsection-Blank
Hindquarters - Depth ( Lacking depth I am guessing? I did notice it for the first time last wee he has a flat butt)
Nothing checked or written for Fur/Wool, Sheen, Density
Texture - Fair
Color - Good
2nd show-(again don't know who judged it)
Placed 2 of 2
Head- Good
Ears - Good
Crown- blank
Bone -good
Type - low/soft (what does that mean exactly?)
nothing from shoulders to sheen
Density- Good
Texture - good
Color - blank
Sage - Siamese Satin Doe
1st show (don't remember who judged it, they didn't put the name on the remark card)
DQ because she weighed 7lbs 14 oz (under the 8 pounds required)
Head -
Ears -
crown-
Bone -
Type - long
Shoulders - fair
Midsection- fair
Hindquarters - Fair
nothing till texture
Texture- fair
2nd show (don't remember who judged it, they didn't put the name on the remark card)
She wasn't DQ'd this time???? Must of thought she weighed enough?
Placed 2 of 2
Head - good
Ears - Good
Nothing from crown to type
Shoulders - Good
Midsection - Good
Hindquarters - Lacks
nothing from fur to Sheen
Density - Good
Texture - Lacks
Color - Good
I like that they where judged by two different judges ( in this case I much preferred the second results and the second judge commented that they where very nice animals, but had unfinished coats at this time) this was explained to me that meant the coats where not fully in yet from molting.
Then The other four I took where my Mini lop kits ( I love these guys and was so proud of them until I got to the show) They are nothing like the other mini lops, sure they are two months younger but I can easily see the difference. I knew it would go badly and it did.
First show was judged by Bob Koch Not sure who did the second show. Whoever wrote for the second judge sucked. The judge took a long time explaining what was good and bad about each rabbit and I was looking forward to compare the results, only to find nothing is even checked on the score cards. There are a few comments at the bottom of three, but grrrrr.
One thing that hurt even though I had a feeling it was coming was Horatio's DQ. He is not a blue pointed white he is a martinized point. So I will be selling him even though I have wanted to keep him from the day one when I found his plump little pinkness in the nestbox. I am very, very depressed about this. I know it doesn't mean I have to get rid of him. But though they are a hobby I don't have the room to keep a rabbit (especially a buck) who can't at least contribute show-able colors to the genetic pool. His father may well be going as well.
Anyway here is what the first judge had to say
N1 N2(Chrissy) N3 (Horatio) N4
Head fair good fair
Ears Crown Folded good
Bone
Type fair good
Shoulders fair good
Midsection good
Hindquarters Pinched
Fur/wool
Sheen
Density Fair
Texture fair uneven Baby coat
Color
Placed 3/3 5/5 DQ 2/3
2nd show 4/4 5/5 DQ 3/4
Notes : n1-show 2-Too long on body N4-show 2 -needs more fullness and depth
So N4 beat N1 both times. And Chrissy had some good points, both commented on the placement of the crown (to far back) and the way the ears lop. All had issues with the hindquarters being either Pinched or simply not having enough depth. And the coats where commented on by both judges as being uneven, but they both also said a lot of the coat issues is their age.
Since I am going to be getting rid of Horatio (this is the right choice right?) no one is like working on getting martinized point accepted, because if so..... No.... I am going to get rid of Horatio. Should I keep one of these does? Or would it be better to not bother? Are they worth working with or should I just sell them and buy a better buck or doe to go with what I have? Would it be fair to say that I need to add a mini lop to my herd that has an amazing head/ears/crown and a great hindquarter? Would this improve the quality of what I already have? I am really liking the colors I am starting to get ( Siamese Sables, steels etc) and don't want to start completely over.
Here are a couple links to posts with there pictures in them
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=581746
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=589485
First of all it was A LOT of fun, but wow hectic! I think from now on unless I go with someone who will be able to show one of my breeds I will just take one breed. I entered all six rabbits I took into two of the three shows ( only some breeds got three shows). The satins went first but before it got to the Siamese they called the Mini-lops, so I had to go get them, luckally the two tables where next to each other so I was able to go back and forth.
So the less then great results
Buster - Siamese Satin buck
1st show (don't remember who judged it, they didn't put the name on the remark card)
Placed 2 of 2
Head - good
Ears - good
crown-Blank
Bone - good
Type - Good
Shoulders - Good
Midsection-Blank
Hindquarters - Depth ( Lacking depth I am guessing? I did notice it for the first time last wee he has a flat butt)
Nothing checked or written for Fur/Wool, Sheen, Density
Texture - Fair
Color - Good
2nd show-(again don't know who judged it)
Placed 2 of 2
Head- Good
Ears - Good
Crown- blank
Bone -good
Type - low/soft (what does that mean exactly?)
nothing from shoulders to sheen
Density- Good
Texture - good
Color - blank
Sage - Siamese Satin Doe
1st show (don't remember who judged it, they didn't put the name on the remark card)
DQ because she weighed 7lbs 14 oz (under the 8 pounds required)
Head -
Ears -
crown-
Bone -
Type - long
Shoulders - fair
Midsection- fair
Hindquarters - Fair
nothing till texture
Texture- fair
2nd show (don't remember who judged it, they didn't put the name on the remark card)
She wasn't DQ'd this time???? Must of thought she weighed enough?
Placed 2 of 2
Head - good
Ears - Good
Nothing from crown to type
Shoulders - Good
Midsection - Good
Hindquarters - Lacks
nothing from fur to Sheen
Density - Good
Texture - Lacks
Color - Good
I like that they where judged by two different judges ( in this case I much preferred the second results and the second judge commented that they where very nice animals, but had unfinished coats at this time) this was explained to me that meant the coats where not fully in yet from molting.
Then The other four I took where my Mini lop kits ( I love these guys and was so proud of them until I got to the show) They are nothing like the other mini lops, sure they are two months younger but I can easily see the difference. I knew it would go badly and it did.
First show was judged by Bob Koch Not sure who did the second show. Whoever wrote for the second judge sucked. The judge took a long time explaining what was good and bad about each rabbit and I was looking forward to compare the results, only to find nothing is even checked on the score cards. There are a few comments at the bottom of three, but grrrrr.
One thing that hurt even though I had a feeling it was coming was Horatio's DQ. He is not a blue pointed white he is a martinized point. So I will be selling him even though I have wanted to keep him from the day one when I found his plump little pinkness in the nestbox. I am very, very depressed about this. I know it doesn't mean I have to get rid of him. But though they are a hobby I don't have the room to keep a rabbit (especially a buck) who can't at least contribute show-able colors to the genetic pool. His father may well be going as well.
Anyway here is what the first judge had to say
N1 N2(Chrissy) N3 (Horatio) N4
Head fair good fair
Ears Crown Folded good
Bone
Type fair good
Shoulders fair good
Midsection good
Hindquarters Pinched
Fur/wool
Sheen
Density Fair
Texture fair uneven Baby coat
Color
Placed 3/3 5/5 DQ 2/3
2nd show 4/4 5/5 DQ 3/4
Notes : n1-show 2-Too long on body N4-show 2 -needs more fullness and depth
So N4 beat N1 both times. And Chrissy had some good points, both commented on the placement of the crown (to far back) and the way the ears lop. All had issues with the hindquarters being either Pinched or simply not having enough depth. And the coats where commented on by both judges as being uneven, but they both also said a lot of the coat issues is their age.
Since I am going to be getting rid of Horatio (this is the right choice right?) no one is like working on getting martinized point accepted, because if so..... No.... I am going to get rid of Horatio. Should I keep one of these does? Or would it be better to not bother? Are they worth working with or should I just sell them and buy a better buck or doe to go with what I have? Would it be fair to say that I need to add a mini lop to my herd that has an amazing head/ears/crown and a great hindquarter? Would this improve the quality of what I already have? I am really liking the colors I am starting to get ( Siamese Sables, steels etc) and don't want to start completely over.
Here are a couple links to posts with there pictures in them
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=581746
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=589485