Unfortunately, pretty much all of us had to learn this stuff the hard way. So make sure you read this article so you can hopefully make less of these mistakes than most of us did!
The night before the show, go on Google Maps and figure out how long it'll take you to get to the show, given the usual morning traffic. Aim to get there way before check-in. That'll allow time for bad traffic, fast-food stops, bathroom breaks, gas, and weather. Most shows are quite a long drive, and can be many hours, so make sure you do the math right and leave in plenty of time! It's much better to be early than to be late.
Once you arrive at wherever the show is being held, go to check-in. Usually the show secretary is at a table. You will be able to locate the show secretary easily as they will be the most stressed/busy person at the whole show. Not even joking lol. They are fantastic people who work their butts off, so make sure to be super polite and friendly when you check in.
Once you are at the front of the line, tell them your name, and exhibitor number if you know it. Sometimes when you get an email confirmation for your show entries there is an exhibitor number. In big shows, it helps to know that number as it means the secretary can locate your entries quicker and keep the show running smoothly. Check the entry they give you, and make sure your entries are correct. You will have to pay your entry fee with either cash or a check. Obviously, ask the show secretary who to make the check out to.
Set up your chairs and supplies. In general, the earlier you arrive, the better a spot you will get for your stuff. Don't crowd into other people's areas, or they may bite. Find a place that has enough room for your chairs, cages, and grooming table. And your food. We strongly recommend bringing lots of food. Go on a walk around the showroom and look at the rows of judging cages. There should be pieces of paper taped on those cages with lists of breeds. Look for your breed, so that you know where you are showing and how many breeds are before it. If there is more than one show, then check for all the ones you entered (Show A, Show B, Show C, etc.). If your breed is after Holland Lops or Mini Rex, wait time is approximately 2-3 eons before your breed will be up on the table.
To prepare your rabbit for its class, groom it, especially around its butt area as that's where poop tends to stick. Use any breed-specific equipment (like hairdryers for angoras). Many breeders use water or a grooming spray on their rabbits' coats. Trim the nails, and do your best not to make them bleed. If they do, use flour or corn starch to stop the bleeding.
In general, unless the show allows day of show entries, you cannot enter a new rabbit on show day. HOWEVER, you may be able to make a change within the same class. For example, if you have a Holland Lop Solid Jr Doe and you couldn't bring her to the show, if you have another Holland Lop Solid Jr doe that you brought along, once your breed is called you can just tell the writer that you had an ear change.
Once your breed has been called, bring up your animal, and go behind the show table. Find the comment card with your rabbit's details and your details, and put your rabbit in the corresponding cage. Then flip the comment card over to signify that your rabbit is present. Remember to twist the little latch thingamabob on the cage so that your rabbit doesn't pull a Houdini stunt.
If you're busy, you can have someone else bring up your rabbit. It helps to bring along a 'show slave', such as a parent, friend, or sibling, someone who feels socially obligated to be nice to you. The only rule with that is if you are a youth, it is required that either you or another youth bring your rabbit to the table.
Step back from the show table, and don't indicate in ANY way that the rabbit is yours. You don't want to be seen as influencing the judge's decisions. Be polite and attentive. The judge will often either use a system with coins or swap around a bunch of rabbits into different cages until he or she has placed the class. Then they will announce the placings, from the lowest up.
If your rabbit did not do well...don't be a jerk. Everyone loses at some point, even the top breeders in the country. The most mature and sensible thing to do is listen to the judge's critiques, and smile and nod, whether you agree with the placings or not. Thank the judge after the competition. Learn from their comments.
If you are looking to buy show or brood quality rabbits at a show and you are not experienced with the breed, it is strongly recommended that you take them to a judge when they are on a break and have them look over the rabbit for you. Provided they aren't too busy, they will usually be happy to offer their advice.
In between shows, you can relax and eat food. Groom your rabbit, chat with friends, do whatever you want. Just make sure you or a friend is keeping an eye on your next class. Some shows have raffles, so you can always enter those if you want. I don't recommend entering to win a raffle rabbit as you know very little of its background and why it is being raffled off. Some bigger shows also have auctions. You'll also probably see a lot of vendors that you can shop around!
The night before the show, go on Google Maps and figure out how long it'll take you to get to the show, given the usual morning traffic. Aim to get there way before check-in. That'll allow time for bad traffic, fast-food stops, bathroom breaks, gas, and weather. Most shows are quite a long drive, and can be many hours, so make sure you do the math right and leave in plenty of time! It's much better to be early than to be late.
Once you arrive at wherever the show is being held, go to check-in. Usually the show secretary is at a table. You will be able to locate the show secretary easily as they will be the most stressed/busy person at the whole show. Not even joking lol. They are fantastic people who work their butts off, so make sure to be super polite and friendly when you check in.
Once you are at the front of the line, tell them your name, and exhibitor number if you know it. Sometimes when you get an email confirmation for your show entries there is an exhibitor number. In big shows, it helps to know that number as it means the secretary can locate your entries quicker and keep the show running smoothly. Check the entry they give you, and make sure your entries are correct. You will have to pay your entry fee with either cash or a check. Obviously, ask the show secretary who to make the check out to.
Set up your chairs and supplies. In general, the earlier you arrive, the better a spot you will get for your stuff. Don't crowd into other people's areas, or they may bite. Find a place that has enough room for your chairs, cages, and grooming table. And your food. We strongly recommend bringing lots of food. Go on a walk around the showroom and look at the rows of judging cages. There should be pieces of paper taped on those cages with lists of breeds. Look for your breed, so that you know where you are showing and how many breeds are before it. If there is more than one show, then check for all the ones you entered (Show A, Show B, Show C, etc.). If your breed is after Holland Lops or Mini Rex, wait time is approximately 2-3 eons before your breed will be up on the table.
To prepare your rabbit for its class, groom it, especially around its butt area as that's where poop tends to stick. Use any breed-specific equipment (like hairdryers for angoras). Many breeders use water or a grooming spray on their rabbits' coats. Trim the nails, and do your best not to make them bleed. If they do, use flour or corn starch to stop the bleeding.
In general, unless the show allows day of show entries, you cannot enter a new rabbit on show day. HOWEVER, you may be able to make a change within the same class. For example, if you have a Holland Lop Solid Jr Doe and you couldn't bring her to the show, if you have another Holland Lop Solid Jr doe that you brought along, once your breed is called you can just tell the writer that you had an ear change.
Once your breed has been called, bring up your animal, and go behind the show table. Find the comment card with your rabbit's details and your details, and put your rabbit in the corresponding cage. Then flip the comment card over to signify that your rabbit is present. Remember to twist the little latch thingamabob on the cage so that your rabbit doesn't pull a Houdini stunt.
If you're busy, you can have someone else bring up your rabbit. It helps to bring along a 'show slave', such as a parent, friend, or sibling, someone who feels socially obligated to be nice to you. The only rule with that is if you are a youth, it is required that either you or another youth bring your rabbit to the table.
Step back from the show table, and don't indicate in ANY way that the rabbit is yours. You don't want to be seen as influencing the judge's decisions. Be polite and attentive. The judge will often either use a system with coins or swap around a bunch of rabbits into different cages until he or she has placed the class. Then they will announce the placings, from the lowest up.
If your rabbit did not do well...don't be a jerk. Everyone loses at some point, even the top breeders in the country. The most mature and sensible thing to do is listen to the judge's critiques, and smile and nod, whether you agree with the placings or not. Thank the judge after the competition. Learn from their comments.
If you are looking to buy show or brood quality rabbits at a show and you are not experienced with the breed, it is strongly recommended that you take them to a judge when they are on a break and have them look over the rabbit for you. Provided they aren't too busy, they will usually be happy to offer their advice.
In between shows, you can relax and eat food. Groom your rabbit, chat with friends, do whatever you want. Just make sure you or a friend is keeping an eye on your next class. Some shows have raffles, so you can always enter those if you want. I don't recommend entering to win a raffle rabbit as you know very little of its background and why it is being raffled off. Some bigger shows also have auctions. You'll also probably see a lot of vendors that you can shop around!