I went to the Windy Plains double show in Dodge City last weekend. I didn’t know what the Dutch turnout would be like; I knew one breeder wasn’t going to make it but thought surely there would be at least a couple more exhibitors. I was especially hoping for a third leg on Factory Girl, a pretty doe who has had a lot of close seconds to another doe of mine, but had really bloomed since being bred.
So I got up early, drove three hours and looked at the entry…5 Dutch! My four plus one. My first thought was, “I drove three hours through Western Kansas for this?” But soon I realized, hey, I’m at a show. Several friends were there, and I got to spend time talking to them (something I can’t do if judging!) and pitched in and took comments for awhile. In the A show, Midnight Rambler took BOB and Factory Girl took BOS under Tex. Conall judged Dutch in the B show and flipped them.
Both Best in Shows were held at the end of the day. I was most looking forward to the A show, since Midnight has been my favorite rabbit all fall. I am probably biased since I’m enamored with him both as a show rabbit and a new herdsire. He has not only the looks but an outgoing, confident personality. And he won…nothing. Soon the BOB winners for the B show were called up, and Tex stepped up to pick BIS. I thought, “just my luck,” because Factory Girl had won this show and he had picked her as BOS. Much to my surprise, he chose her as 1st Runner Up! It was a great way to end her show career, but alas, NO third leg! Oh well…
I’m off to Georgia to judge this weekend, but will be sending rabbits to Harper with my mom. The Dutch are dropping like flies from my show string, mostly due to does turning senior and being bred for NDS. Thank goodness for senior bucks! I will also be sending Amante, a cute broken chin Mini Rex buck, for his first show. He’s a little young, but it will be interesting to see how he competes with the rest of the Brokens!
