Having obtained some stock which you consider
is fit for competitions you will no doubt wish
to set off to a show as soon as possible.
First you should ensure that you have become a
member of the BRC and that the rabbit you intend
to exhibit is rung with a ring registered in your
name ( i.e. ring you purchased in your name or
a ring which you have had transferred to your
name. A transfer is not complete until you have
received the confirmation slip back from the BRC).
Having selected the show you wish to exhibit at
by either reference to the advertisement in Fur
& Feather or advice from your local club secretary
or District Advisor, you must now arrange to enter
your exhibit. |
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There is nothing difficult about entering your rabbit.
Check the closing date for entries. This is always
stated in the advertisement and can be a couple of
weeks before the event but with most local shows is
usually within 5 days of the show date. Next check
if there is a telephone number stated in the advertisement.
Many shows accept entries by telephone.
If a number is stated contact the secretary a few
days before closing date, you will often find that
their telephone is very busy on the last day or two
so ring early and they will have the time to help
you with any assistance you require.
You should always be ready to provide the
following information:
1. Your name ( The rabbit will be entered in the
name you give so ensure that you make it clear if
you show in a stud name, this name should also be
the name in which the rabbit ring is registered of
course.
2. Your address
3. The breed of your exhibit
4. The colour of your exhibit
5. The age of your exhibit ( is it over or under 5
months )
6. Is it a Buck or Doe.
7. Did you breed the exhibit. ( If you have transferred
the ring you did not breed it, the exhibit must have
been born on your property and be rung with a ring
originally purchased from the BRC by you)
8. Are you a juvenile exhibitor ( under 16 years of
age)
You will find the Secretary helpful and you should
ask for directions if you do not know the location
of the hall.
If no telephone number is stated you should provide
the above information, enclose your telephone number
and the correct entry fees and post to the address
provided to ensure it arrives before the closing date
stated.
Whether you telephone or post your entry you are
responsible for paying the entry fees in full. If
you do not end up going to the show for some reason
after you have entered you should arrange to forward
the fees to the Secretary as soon as possible.
The day of the show arrives, you have checked that
you know the full address of the venue and the time
for judging. Place your exhibit in a suitable container,
a proper travelling box is best but do ensure that
it is sound and provides ventilation. If you have
some distance to travel do not place the rabbit in
the boot of the car in very hot weather.
Set off to arrive 30 minutes before judging, see
the Secretary who will ask for the ring number of
your exhibit ( have it ready to save time and effort)
and give you a pen number. Pay your entry fee. You
should then place your exhibit in it's pen. Some bedding
will already be provided but you may add to this from
your travelling box or provide your own should you
wish.
As this is your first show you should now leave your
rabbit alone and stand back, have a cup of tea and
watch the proceedings. At your second or third show
you may wish to ask the Secretary if you could steward
if you feel confident you can handle all the different
breeds. Remember that the rabbits that you steward
are owned by others and handle them as you would wish
them to handle yours.
In due course the judging will commence. At some
shows there are two or more judges who each judge
a section and then come together to judge "joint"
duplicate classes and eventually Best in Show. Each
judge will commence with his first "Breed"
class. Each "Breed" or "Straight"
class is confined to the one breed of a given age.
If the breed is popular in the area these may be split
into several separate classes. i.e.
1. Dutch Black or Blue Adult
2. Dutch Black or Blue under 5 months
3. Dutch any other colour adult
4. Dutch any other colour under 5 months
When the judge has completed his various individual
"Breed" classes he will then judge the individual
class winners of that Breed against each other to
find the "Best of Breed". i.e A Black Dutch,
yellow Dutch, Blue Dutch and Chocolate Dutch..to find
the Best Dutch rabbit.
When this has been completed ALL the Best of Breeds
meet in the "Mixed Duplicates" to ascertain
the Best rabbit in that section (Lop, Fancy, Fur &
Rex). When the various section winners have been decided,
these then meet in the Grand Challenge to ascertain
the Best rabbit in the Show.
Until all judging is completed your exhibit must
remain in it's pen. When judging is complete, remove
any prize cards that you may have been lucky enough
to win and collect from the Secretary and prize money
due. You may "box" your exhibit and go home
at this time.
The judging may take anything from 2 hours to all
day depending on the size of the show. Ask the Secretary
to introduce you to someone who can explain what's
going on as things proceed, have a good look round
and take the opportunity to ask questions you have.
You will find that rabbit fanciers are usually more
than pleased to have a chat and you can learn more
about any subject connected with rabbit keeping by
speaking to others than reading about it.
Most important of all enjoy the Show! |
