Adorable bunnies of all sizes and colors dotted the June Ates Arena in the first Gulf Coast Rabbit Breeders Club show Saturday at the Santa Rosa County Fairgrounds. Helen Wartman, club president and show superintendent, said some breeders arrived at 6 a.m. and the show was schedule to last until roughly 4 p.m.
Shelly Gruenwald of Bellview Barracks Rabbitry said this show was the club's first. She said she's been in rabbit breeding for eight years and all of her kids are involved. She said, "Most of the preparation is in feeding and conditioning." Just before a show she said, "We check for mites and check and clip nails and look out for other dq's," meaning disqualifications. She said she normally brings 35 to 60 rabbits to a show. "We specialize in rare breeds," Gruenwald said, "creme d'argents, champ d'argent, silvers, and American chinchillas."
Jeff Albright, a judge licensed since 1994 assigned points from a book of ideal traits of breeds. "Some breeds have more points for the head and others the coat." He explained the best in show doesn't compete against other breeds, just the closest rabbit to 100 points.
According to Wartman, generosity and an altruistic spirit saw this show grow from a simple desire to have a show to the 700 rabbits in the June Ates Arena. Wartman thanked sponsors Lowe's, Walmart, Sam's Club, Manning's Feed & Seed in Milton, Blue Seal Feeds, and Seminole Feed. She said Seminole Feed donated 9 bags of 25 lbs of feed and Blue Seal dropped off 200 lbs of feed from a truck right at her house.
Wartman also gave credit to the judges for what they didn't ask. She said Norman Simbeck judged the youth show and also made trophies. She said he didn't charge for any of it nor travel expenses for attending. Lee Engel, Wartman said, doctor at Louisiana State University, literally switched hats every time he switched the breeds he judged. "He had a shark hat, skunk, and lady bug. He kept the kids entertained. They stayed by his table." Wartman also said Sue Rice came from North Carolina and only charged a minimal fee for traveling. Wartman said, "It was a working team effort."
Even the youth helped, she said. Joshua McLamb, a 16 year old West Florida High School student, had to move his rabbits to Wartman's barn after the flood, she said. He came by every day to take care of his rabbits and helped build the show coops, she said. According to Wartman, showing rabbits is good for youth. She said they connect with adults both dealing with competition. Wartman said McLamb won best of reserve (or second place) with his California rabbit.
Wartman said "We want to see Angoras next year if weather permits." She said the longer hair breeds need cooler temperatures. She also said next year's show will also have cavies (the family of rodent including guinea pigs) and take place between March and May.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: First show for Gulf Coast Rabbit Breeders Club