Sunday, March 18, 2007
NC State Convention
I am so proud of Java! He had the best weekend of any of my rabbits so far. Last September, Rio had a show in which he was Best Reserve in one show and Best In Show for two shows. I figured that would remain the barn record forever. But Java said, "I'll see your 1 BRIS and 2 BIS and raise you a BOB!!!"
That's right. Java was BOB for all four shows this weekend, plus won a BRIS and two BISs. He was getting a little squirrelly at the very end - essentially having been judged eight times this weekend - but held together long enough to show his stuff.
That, of course, was enough to make my weekend (or week, or maybe even month!), but the show was wonderful in other ways, too.
I was also very pleased that Crazy Horse, a broken junior buck out of Camelot's Merlin and Roxie got his first leg with a BOSG, and Rizzo, a lilac tort junior doe, got her first leg with a BOSG.
The group of exhibitors at the show was so nice and the atmosphere was comfortable (even the youth parents noticed that the group of Holland exhibitors this weekend was having a really good time). The word "camraderie" kept coming back to my mind over and over.
We had wonderful conversations, congratulated each other heartily, and laughed and joked all weekend long. It was the very best of what a rabbit show can be.
Congratulations to Alison Fulbright who granded her first homegrown Holland. Way to go Trixie! And a huge congratulations to Mary Justice who got two very nice legs on a smoke pearl Holland lop. "F" gets an A!!! And congratulations to everyone who got "first in reverse" (AKA last place) and kept their sense of humor about it.
I got a chance to work with Josh Humphries on a group of 80 Dutch. I learned a lot and started to "see" the breed a bit, making some choices with confidence (and others a bit more shakily). I also got to work with Rusty Westhoff on mini lops. Both Josh and Rusty were gracious with their time and effort once again. I really appreciate it. Both are pushing me to think about the rabbits and be more active as I work with the animals. It is uncomfortable to say out loud what you think, but pushing past my discomfort is going to be very important if I am to succeed.
I also got an award this weekend for placing #1 in the NCRBA sweepstakes. It was a very attractive desk award with pen.
Because the show is only 75 minutes from my house, I came home to sleep in my own bed. And oversleep in my own bed. The alarm did not go off and we woke up two hours later than we expected! We zipped around and scooted out of the house as soon as possible (me, Anna, and her bunny friend Mindy who had spent the night). I made some good time and we still arrived a couple of minutes before the judging started. Whew!
After the show today, several moms and their kids went out to McDonald's (yes, I stayed on my diet). We got so rowdy that I thought the manager might ask us to leave. It was so nice catching up with them all.
Probably the only downside to the weekend is that I just haven't shaken my recent illness. My adrenaline would go up and I'd overdo it and then drop, leaving me feeling shaky and weak. But I have to admit, if I had it all to do over again, I'd probably do it all the exact same way!
Laurie ¶ 6:26 PM
That's right. Java was BOB for all four shows this weekend, plus won a BRIS and two BISs. He was getting a little squirrelly at the very end - essentially having been judged eight times this weekend - but held together long enough to show his stuff.
That, of course, was enough to make my weekend (or week, or maybe even month!), but the show was wonderful in other ways, too.
I was also very pleased that Crazy Horse, a broken junior buck out of Camelot's Merlin and Roxie got his first leg with a BOSG, and Rizzo, a lilac tort junior doe, got her first leg with a BOSG.
The group of exhibitors at the show was so nice and the atmosphere was comfortable (even the youth parents noticed that the group of Holland exhibitors this weekend was having a really good time). The word "camraderie" kept coming back to my mind over and over.
We had wonderful conversations, congratulated each other heartily, and laughed and joked all weekend long. It was the very best of what a rabbit show can be.
Congratulations to Alison Fulbright who granded her first homegrown Holland. Way to go Trixie! And a huge congratulations to Mary Justice who got two very nice legs on a smoke pearl Holland lop. "F" gets an A!!! And congratulations to everyone who got "first in reverse" (AKA last place) and kept their sense of humor about it.
I got a chance to work with Josh Humphries on a group of 80 Dutch. I learned a lot and started to "see" the breed a bit, making some choices with confidence (and others a bit more shakily). I also got to work with Rusty Westhoff on mini lops. Both Josh and Rusty were gracious with their time and effort once again. I really appreciate it. Both are pushing me to think about the rabbits and be more active as I work with the animals. It is uncomfortable to say out loud what you think, but pushing past my discomfort is going to be very important if I am to succeed.
I also got an award this weekend for placing #1 in the NCRBA sweepstakes. It was a very attractive desk award with pen.
Because the show is only 75 minutes from my house, I came home to sleep in my own bed. And oversleep in my own bed. The alarm did not go off and we woke up two hours later than we expected! We zipped around and scooted out of the house as soon as possible (me, Anna, and her bunny friend Mindy who had spent the night). I made some good time and we still arrived a couple of minutes before the judging started. Whew!
After the show today, several moms and their kids went out to McDonald's (yes, I stayed on my diet). We got so rowdy that I thought the manager might ask us to leave. It was so nice catching up with them all.
Probably the only downside to the weekend is that I just haven't shaken my recent illness. My adrenaline would go up and I'd overdo it and then drop, leaving me feeling shaky and weak. But I have to admit, if I had it all to do over again, I'd probably do it all the exact same way!
Laurie ¶ 6:26 PM
