You have your bunny.....
You want to show it...... now what?

You don't have to be a member of any club to show your bunny.
Your rabbit doesn't have to have a pedigree or be registered.........
but it must be a recognized breed.

First thing you need to know is where are the rabbit shows.

A.R.B.A . (American Rabbit Breeders Ass.) posts a list of shows for the US and Canada on their web site.

You've found a show you want to enter.....but how?

You will need to contact the show secretary listed for that specific show and ask them to mail you a show catalog. Show catalogs are similar to an information packet. It will list all the information you will need to know about the show, like location, starting time, entry fees and deadlines. It will also include an entry form, which you will need to fill out and mail back to the show secretary.

I got the show catalog.....what does all this mean?

On the entry form there is space for your information......name, address, phone...etc.
Below that there will be space for you to list the rabbits you want to enter in the show.

You will need to fill in

Ear #
Every rabbit in the show must have a permanent, legible tattoo in the LEFT ear. If your rabbit doesn't have a tattoo you can get it tattooed at the show for a small fee. Just chose a ear number for now (remember it), then make sure it is the same # stamped in the ear as it is on the entry form.

Breed
list the breed of your rabbit..... like Netherland dwarf, Holland Lop, Rex....

Variety
list the color variety. Within each breed there are different colors. You will need to list the true color name..not just what color the rabbit is. Example......Black Silver Marten, Otter, Siamese Sable, Chocolate, Tort, Ruby Eyed White.....

Class
Junior or Senior.
Each breed has its own qualifications for Jr's and Sr's, so you will need to check your breeds standards. In general, a rabbit under 6 months of age AND within certain weight limits could qualify as a Junior.

Sex
Male or Female...Buck or doe.

Entry fee.
Average is around $2.25 per animal per show. Check your show catalog.

Here is an example.

You want to enter your 2 year old Black Netherland Dwarf buck, and your 12 week old Ruby Eyed White Holland Lop doe.

Your entry should look like this:

If you need help filling out your show entry contact the show secretary. They will be glad to help you through the process.

Mail your entry to the show secretary BEFORE the deadline.

I'm entered..........Now what?

Now is the time to make sure you are prepared for the show.
Brush bunnies, clip nails, get show carriers ready.

The show date is here!

Pack your bunnies up and go.

When you arrive at the show the first thing you should do is locate the secretaries table. You will want to tell them you have never done this before so they can help you to make sure everything is in order. You will need to pay your entry fee if you havn't done so already. Check the secretaries paperwork to make sure all your entry info is correct.

Next you will want to locate the area where your breed will be judges. There are usually several judging tables, with different breeds at each table. Most shows have a PA system but some don't, so it is your responsibility to have your rabbit ready to go up on the table when it is their time. If your not there they will go on without your rabbit, so you must be paying attention.

When you hear them call your breed and color you will need to take your rabbit up to the table. Go around to the back of the show table and locate your entry card. Each hutch will have a card sitting in front of it. When you find your rabbits card you simply put your rabbit in that hole and flip the entry card over.

Here comes the Judge....

The judge will go through all the rabbits on the table one at a time. The judge will give verbal comments on the good and bad points of each rabbit, and you can learn a wealth of information if you will listen to them as they go through the judging process. Then the judge will place the animals...1st, 2nd, 3rd and so on. Some shows will have comment cards that are filled out while each animal is judged. You can pick up your rabbits comment card after it has been judges. A comment card can be a valuable thing, especially if things are moving fast. The comment card will list the judges comments about that rabbit.....good head, rough coat...etc. and also how many were in the class and what place the rabbit finished in.

If your lucky enough to have the best buck or doe in that variety it will be kept on the table to be judged against the other variety winners, for Best of Group. If you win best of group or best opposite sex of group then the rabbit would stay on the table to be judged against the other group winners for Best of Breed. If it wins again then it would be held and judged with all the other Best of Breed winners for Best in show.

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