Monday, December 05, 2005
First Third
Normally, I would be at the halfway mark of the sweeps year, but of course this time, we're only at the 1/3 mark. It's still a good time for me to stop and take stock of my progress compared to last year, though. Comparing only myself to myself takes most of the variation out of the sweepstakes contest and is more meaningful than comparing different exhibitors to each other.
For the entire year last year (which was my first year to place in the top 100), I had 11,416 sweeps points. Since I only perked up and starting doing well from late January on, my hope was to double that this year and have a whole year of doing well, not just half like last year. I almost made that goal: according to my own reckonings, I have 11,370 so far this year, just 46 points short.
When I get to the end of the sweeps year, I'll have to multiply my points by 2/3 to arrive at a number that I can compare to my previous year. Or, I can just up my goal for the year to 32, 248. I know we have 12 more months in this year, but that seems like a high goal I've set for myself. I just don't know how I'll do in this marathon year. Just like my favorite baseball team, I may have a long skid in there somewhere instead of a hot streak!
My average number of points per show has risen from 211 to 421. That was a number I really wanted to see come up. Of course, the average will likely slide downwards at least until Nationals because it's simply not possible to get 3000 points at a local show. But with both Nationals and another Convention in this sweeps year, there are two more opportunities to plump up the sweeps points (or fall flat, as the case may be). And, I have brought home more than 421 from the last four judgings. So who knows.
I had 24 quality points in all of last year and have 19 so far this year. I'm lagging behind my hopes in this category. I just haven't pulled in the top spot as often as I'd like. But there's still time for a few really good shows to plump up those numbers. Or not!
I am pleased with my herdsman points. Last year I had just 9 herdsman points total. This year, I have 11 already. Of course, I'm sure that those points are easier to get in the beginning of the sweeps year than in the end, since no rabbit can earn one twice. I'll just have to keep coming up with new rabbits to have a good day. I guess I will set my goal at 28, since 9 x 3 = 27. I'd better get busy breeding those future BOB and BOS winners.
The biggest difference between this December and last December is the number of show quality rabbits I have in my barn. Last fall, I had a hard time scraping up four rabbits to show. Now I'm trying to pick the best 20 our of 30 to take to the show. I currently have 20 show quality bucks in my barn.
And most of the rabbits I take will place, so they are not just table stuffers. For example, 20 of the 21 rabbits I took to Kentucky placed in at least one of the shows and most placed in both shows. And only in the senior doe class was placing unavoidable.
Compared to last year, my goals are firmer and my gene pool is shaping up well. My plan is clear in my mind, though still flexible to take into account new information and experiences. I continue to cull hard and know that I have some even harder choices to make in the near future (can't keep 20 bucks indefinitely). And I'm more excited about the babies in the nest box and those due later this month than I ever have been in the past.
Okay, now I'm pumped up and feeling good with my plan. I sure hope this carries me for the next five weeks with no shows. How will I ever survive?
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breederes, and Rabbit Fun
¶ 8:35 AM
For the entire year last year (which was my first year to place in the top 100), I had 11,416 sweeps points. Since I only perked up and starting doing well from late January on, my hope was to double that this year and have a whole year of doing well, not just half like last year. I almost made that goal: according to my own reckonings, I have 11,370 so far this year, just 46 points short.
When I get to the end of the sweeps year, I'll have to multiply my points by 2/3 to arrive at a number that I can compare to my previous year. Or, I can just up my goal for the year to 32, 248. I know we have 12 more months in this year, but that seems like a high goal I've set for myself. I just don't know how I'll do in this marathon year. Just like my favorite baseball team, I may have a long skid in there somewhere instead of a hot streak!
My average number of points per show has risen from 211 to 421. That was a number I really wanted to see come up. Of course, the average will likely slide downwards at least until Nationals because it's simply not possible to get 3000 points at a local show. But with both Nationals and another Convention in this sweeps year, there are two more opportunities to plump up the sweeps points (or fall flat, as the case may be). And, I have brought home more than 421 from the last four judgings. So who knows.
I had 24 quality points in all of last year and have 19 so far this year. I'm lagging behind my hopes in this category. I just haven't pulled in the top spot as often as I'd like. But there's still time for a few really good shows to plump up those numbers. Or not!
I am pleased with my herdsman points. Last year I had just 9 herdsman points total. This year, I have 11 already. Of course, I'm sure that those points are easier to get in the beginning of the sweeps year than in the end, since no rabbit can earn one twice. I'll just have to keep coming up with new rabbits to have a good day. I guess I will set my goal at 28, since 9 x 3 = 27. I'd better get busy breeding those future BOB and BOS winners.
The biggest difference between this December and last December is the number of show quality rabbits I have in my barn. Last fall, I had a hard time scraping up four rabbits to show. Now I'm trying to pick the best 20 our of 30 to take to the show. I currently have 20 show quality bucks in my barn.
And most of the rabbits I take will place, so they are not just table stuffers. For example, 20 of the 21 rabbits I took to Kentucky placed in at least one of the shows and most placed in both shows. And only in the senior doe class was placing unavoidable.
Compared to last year, my goals are firmer and my gene pool is shaping up well. My plan is clear in my mind, though still flexible to take into account new information and experiences. I continue to cull hard and know that I have some even harder choices to make in the near future (can't keep 20 bucks indefinitely). And I'm more excited about the babies in the nest box and those due later this month than I ever have been in the past.
Okay, now I'm pumped up and feeling good with my plan. I sure hope this carries me for the next five weeks with no shows. How will I ever survive?
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breederes, and Rabbit Fun
¶ 8:35 AM
