Here is how you can enter an ARBA rabbit show.
First, go to www.arba.net and look at their list of shows under the Member Resources tab. Search for shows in your state. A bunch of shows will come up. Choose a show that you want to go to. Then, copy the show secretary's email address and send them an email asking for the show catalog. They will send you a PDF with all the info on the show, including the address, entry deadline, rules, vendors, judges, youth events, and more.
Then, send the show secretary an email with your entry. Before I give you an example entry, here are a couple more things you should know. First, open means that any person of absolutely any age can show. Youth means only 5-18 years old. Youth ages 5-18 have the choice of either showing in open or youth. In general, though not always, the open show is much tougher competition.
On the catalog, it will say if it's a single, double, triple, etc. show. A double show, for example, means that your rabbit will be judged twice in two separate rounds of competition under two separate judges. Those two rounds of competition would be Show A and Show B. A triple would mean your rabbit is judged three times in three separate rounds of competition under three separate judges. Those 3 shows would be Show A, Show B, and Show C. I recommend you enter all the shows, as you can always scratch your rabbit from the class later if necessary.
Here is an example entry:
All entries in Open triple show.
Holland Lop, Solid Jr. Buck, tattoo: CUTE
Mini Rex, Blue Sr. Doe, tattoo: ABC
Californian, Int. Buck, tattoo: 123
Bob Smith
1234 Sunshine Ave
Anytown, USA, 12345
[email protected]
(000)-000-0000
Make sure you understand what you put for variety in your breed. For example, in Hollands you just put Broken or Solid, but in many other breeds, such as Mini Rex, you have to be more specific. Some breeds, such as Californians, only come in one color, so you wouldn't have to put a variety at all. If you aren't certain, check your Standard of Perfection. If you're still stuck, ask a fellow breeder. There are many Facebook groups for specific breeds that you can post a question on and get an answer within minutes.
For most shows (there are some exceptions) you are generally required to send in entries several days in advance. There will be an entry deadline available on the show catalog. Some shows allow day-of-show entries, but this varies from show to show. Contact your show secretary with any questions.
Unless you are entering a huge show like a breed Nationals or ARBA Convention, you will most likely not need to pay your entry fees until the day of show. You can give a check or cash to the show secretary when you check in. However, keep in mind that if you sign up but are unable to attend the show, you still need to pay for your entries.
Breed national shows and ARBA Conventions are totally different. They typically require pre-paid online entries. This probably varies from breed to breed for national shows.
One last note: if you live in CA, join the California Rabbit Shows group on Facebook. I'm sure other states also have similar FB groups too, if you search around a little.
That's it for now!
First, go to www.arba.net and look at their list of shows under the Member Resources tab. Search for shows in your state. A bunch of shows will come up. Choose a show that you want to go to. Then, copy the show secretary's email address and send them an email asking for the show catalog. They will send you a PDF with all the info on the show, including the address, entry deadline, rules, vendors, judges, youth events, and more.
Then, send the show secretary an email with your entry. Before I give you an example entry, here are a couple more things you should know. First, open means that any person of absolutely any age can show. Youth means only 5-18 years old. Youth ages 5-18 have the choice of either showing in open or youth. In general, though not always, the open show is much tougher competition.
On the catalog, it will say if it's a single, double, triple, etc. show. A double show, for example, means that your rabbit will be judged twice in two separate rounds of competition under two separate judges. Those two rounds of competition would be Show A and Show B. A triple would mean your rabbit is judged three times in three separate rounds of competition under three separate judges. Those 3 shows would be Show A, Show B, and Show C. I recommend you enter all the shows, as you can always scratch your rabbit from the class later if necessary.
Here is an example entry:
All entries in Open triple show.
Holland Lop, Solid Jr. Buck, tattoo: CUTE
Mini Rex, Blue Sr. Doe, tattoo: ABC
Californian, Int. Buck, tattoo: 123
Bob Smith
1234 Sunshine Ave
Anytown, USA, 12345
[email protected]
(000)-000-0000
Make sure you understand what you put for variety in your breed. For example, in Hollands you just put Broken or Solid, but in many other breeds, such as Mini Rex, you have to be more specific. Some breeds, such as Californians, only come in one color, so you wouldn't have to put a variety at all. If you aren't certain, check your Standard of Perfection. If you're still stuck, ask a fellow breeder. There are many Facebook groups for specific breeds that you can post a question on and get an answer within minutes.
For most shows (there are some exceptions) you are generally required to send in entries several days in advance. There will be an entry deadline available on the show catalog. Some shows allow day-of-show entries, but this varies from show to show. Contact your show secretary with any questions.
Unless you are entering a huge show like a breed Nationals or ARBA Convention, you will most likely not need to pay your entry fees until the day of show. You can give a check or cash to the show secretary when you check in. However, keep in mind that if you sign up but are unable to attend the show, you still need to pay for your entries.
Breed national shows and ARBA Conventions are totally different. They typically require pre-paid online entries. This probably varies from breed to breed for national shows.
One last note: if you live in CA, join the California Rabbit Shows group on Facebook. I'm sure other states also have similar FB groups too, if you search around a little.
That's it for now!