Houston Livestock Show 2005
Youth Market Pen and Breeder Show
This was an exciting year at HLSR for the March Hares gang! The girls entered 7 Mini Rex and 9 Californians in the Youth breeder show. In addition, they each had a market pen with their name assigned to it. The girls work together feeding and grooming and all the chores associated with the rabbits, and have been showing as a team this show season. Kate worked closely with Russ, and had the final say on which bunnies made up the Market pens, as the Cals are more "her thing" than Emma. Emma is learning fast, and getting a good eye for Mini Rex, even if she is still swayed by "cute".
There were over 160 pens that showed up at Reliant Center for "sift" on Tuesday, 01 March 2005, and of those 141 made it to the judging table. The judging started shortly after 10AM, and by 1PM when they had to break for the Open show awards ceremony, they were down to the top 30, and both of the girls pens were still up!
This year cash prizes were awarded to the top 30 pens. The Prizes were if I remember correctly; $50 for 30 - 26th place, $100 for 25th - 21st place, $150 for 20th -16th, $200 for 11th - 15th place,$250 for 10th place, $300 for 9th place, $400 for 8th place, $500 for 7th place, $600 for 6th place, $700 for 5th place,$800 for 4th place, $1000 for 3rd place, $1500 for Reserve Grand Champion, $3000 for Grand Champion.
After the Open Breeder Show awards ceremony at about 1:30, they started again. The judge this year was John Grimm from Iowa. He was wonderful with his comments to the kids, and gave comments on every pen that was on the table. He placed the top 73 pens. His comments were very positive, and constructive.
It was nerve racking for us mom types when both pens were still there at 25 pens. We were thrilled when they called the first of the girls pens at 21st place, as they had recovered all their entry fees for both the market pen and breeder show. Then we all realized there was still one pen remaining. It is virtually impossible to keep track of your pens after you hand them over at sift, as they are moved, and with most of the pens being Californians, they all look alike. When we came down to the top 10 pens "Momma was about beside herself". When they called the 3 remaining exhibitors down to the arena and judging table, Momma was crying. I feel awful for the young lady that was Reserve Grand, because when they announced her name, and it wasn't one of my children, we were standing and cheering. I don't believe any of the pictures I took in the arena were any good because I was shaking so terribly... this stuff is hard on mommas! Good Hard, don't get me wrong, I would do it all over again!
The pens were as follows:
Entry #189 - Grand Champion - made up of DN31 and DN36 out of Happy Hut's US3 x Happy Hut's CK4, and DN42 out of March Hares CH23 x Happy Hut's SC1. The alternate which would have fit in very nicely if needed was DN64 out of March Hares CH23 x Happy Hut's LM7. They weighed in at 5#, 4#12oz, and 5#.
Entry #190 - 21st out of 141- made up of DN53, DN54 and DN56 out of Tracy's B2 x Happy Hut's SC2, and DN35 out of Happy Hut's US3 x Happy Hut's CK4. They weighed in at 4#6oz, 4#10oz, and 4#4oz. This pen included the alternate as one of the original bunnies had a malocclusion.
Both pens had nice firm flesh and type. The smaller pen "lacked development in the saddle to the winners". The smaller pens alternate was firmer in flesh condition than the 2 originals, Their types were very similar, as were color and fur.
The judge commented that the top animals were relying on fur points to make the difference, as the pens were very nice!
In addition we received the following places in the breeder show:
1st Place Intermediate Californian Buck for DH12 - this would be his third leg, and he is now Grand Champion Eligible. Kate has been watching him since fryer age, and he has done very well. He is out of March Hares CH51 x Jessa's DA11.
1st Place Senior Broken Mini Rex Buck for DC61 - This was "Pepper's" 4th leg, and he is now registered and GC eligible as well. He is out of A-N-A's BAB x A-N-A's AB1.
1st Place Junior Broken Mini Rex Buck for DK11 - This is his first leg, and we are hoping for a few more for him, as he is improving with age and development. He is out of March Hares CL14 x Lazy J's SG.
1st Place Junior Castor Mini Rex Doe for DK12 - The sibling to the young buck above, who is looking very promising. At only 4 months old, she has what we hope will be a promising show career ahead.
Most of the other animals finished in the top of their classes. The Californian breed class had close to 300 animals, while the Mini Rex had well over 150 in the breed class.
This year was very exciting, and we feel most blessed. We owe thanks to all the wonderful people that have helped us along the way with stock and knowledge. We would like to thank Mr. Culver of Culver's feed in Conroe, Texas for keeping a nice clean facility where the feed is always clean, dry, fresh and in date, and the staff is always friendly and courteous. We would also like to thank the fine folks at Petrus Feeds for their fine product which we feed. They stand behind their product! We consider them part of our "team", and a large contributor to the success we are experiencing this year.
