By Kerry Rahm
krahm@wbcowqel.com
Awards may have been given to the kids, but at Tuesday’s Crawford County Fair Rabbit Show, the long-eared hoppers had their moment in the sun.
They weren’t running, jumping, or showing off. Rather, the subdued, furry little creatures were at the center of a lot of healthy competition between those vying for top Rabbit Showmanship titles.
American Rabbit Breeders Association District 8 Director and judge Terry Fender presided over the competition in the senior, intermediate, and beginner categories. Fender judges 60 to 70 shows per year in the U.S. and Canada.
Fender, armed with a clipboard, spoke quietly as he assessed each rabbit individually. The kids waited patiently with their rabbits housed in tiny cages nearby.
Most of the competitors were clad in white lab coats, gently turning over, stroking and displaying their rabbits for Fender.
First place Senior Showmanship went to Bella Walter, who couldn’t contain her excitement over the results.
“It’s great, I’m real excited, and I can’t wait to do Showman of Showmen.”
The rabbit she showed, a buck named Kian, had only been with her for a short period of time.
“I worked pretty hard with him, he’s recently new, we just bought him, and I’m really happy that he did good for me today. He was nice and calm today,” she said.
“I’ve had him just for a couple months, but the people before us were real nice to him, and so he was pretty tame already. I just got him ready for fair, then.”
When asked what makes her most nervous about showing, she answered thoughtfully.
“The judge… he’s kind of like, intimidating, but this judge today made me feel pretty calm, so that’s good.”
Results
Senior Showmanship
1. Bella Walter
2. Makayla Aichholz
3. Aryn Copeland
4. Courtney Britt
5. Donnetta Lester
Intermediate Showmanship
1. Madison Tieben
2. Haley Easterday
3. Madison Furr
4. Tyler Phelps
5. Lauren Mann
Beginner Showmanship
1. Allie Tieban
2. Maddie Coffman
3. Ayla McKibben
4. Tyler Link
5. Emma Pahl
Skillathon Winners
Senior: Makayla Aichholz
Intermediate: Madison Furr
Beginner: Allison McKibben
Outstanding Exhibitor
GOLD: Makayla Aichholz
SILVER: Bella Walter
BRONZE: Madison Coffman
Grand Champion Breed: Makayla Aichholz
Reserve Champion Breed: Bella Walter
Grand Champion Meat Pen: Danial Garrett
Reserve Champion Meat Pen: Tyler Phelps
Grand Champion Fryer: Sheba Sulser
Reserve Champion Fryer: Brandon Mann