It had been several years since I have attended a show in Tri Cities.  I was really looking forward to it.  I was warned ahead of time by several other exhibitors who routinely attend this show.  But I had no idea how serious they were being when they said, there was no room.

When we walked in, the building itself was packed.  There was no room, anywhere.  My cart was stacked 4 carriers high, with two two-hole carriers on each row.  Nickie and I entered the building and there was a large set up area (with space to move around) for Great Northern Cage Co.  Next to them the local 4H kids had a snack/coffee/lunch booth.  Between the 4H booth and another exhibitor there was a small enough space to stand, with our carts loaded. (We still had more rabbits out in the van!)  

It didnt take long, maybe 10 minutes of standing there before we were asked to move away from the 4H food booth because of health reasons.  So then we pulled our carts out and stood in the pathway.  Looking around we found an exhibitor sitting in a chair, with two other chairs forming a circle, with one carrier, and two rabbits.  We asked if we can squeeze in since they only had the two.  The lady was not happy, and grumbled as we tried to squeeze in.  Now granted most of the rabbits I brought were sale rabbits, I only brought 7 to actually show.  

At this point I was feeling very frustrated and overwhelmed.  I wanted to scratch my entries and just leave.  There was no room to move around.  I was worried about getting animals to the table in a timely manner.  How many carriers am I going to have to step over.  As someone who cannot feel one half of a foot, this can be dangerous for me and cause a fall.  I really dont want to fall on anyones carriers with rabbits in them, or even the hard concrete floor.  I was at the point of going up to the show secretary and demanding a refund because there was no safe place for us to be, and I could not safely navigate this show room.  I wanted to cry and scream.  I have never ever attended a show that was this chaotic and crammed. The venue is clearly too small for the show they are hosting.

While we were in the process of setting up tables, we were approached by a member of the hosting club asking us to move over by the wall, because there would be more space.  Good, I didnt want to be next to this crabby lady with two rabbits anyway.  So again, we moved.  

Finally we settled into a place.  We had our tables set up.  Sale rabbits up against the wall and we managed to set up a table in the next row as well.  Show rabbits were left on the cart to make it easier to get them all to the show table on the other side of the room.  I was calming down a wee bit.  Did a lap around the show room to check judging schedules, paid my fees, checked out the raffle, etc.

It didnt take long after we settled in and got comfortable before a mother/daughter couple returned to the spot with their carts in tow full of rabbits......we were in their spot!  Ridiculous!  I was now at the point where, if I am asked to move again...I am moving outside and scratching all my entries.  I was done.  Thankfully Nickie was able to take over this situation, and help them find a location to call home.  We stayed, I calmed down some, and we showed our rabbits.

After being away from home for 8 days by the time of this show, to say I was shocked to hear that some of my seniors were.....well, over conditioned, would be an understatement.   

In the end it was nice to show amongst different competition, and have judges that we don't often see in Montana. Regardless of being irritated at the cramped conditions of the venue, I was still happy that I attended this show.  Yes, even if I didn't win a thing!  

Unfortunately I will say, this I will not attend this show again unless there is a change in venue.  Standing room only, and having to squeeze in between, step over carriers, etc does not work for my physical ailments.  The Claustrophobia, I can deal with.  Irritation with people, I can deal with.  No Rabbit Show is worth risking my physical health, and putting me in so much pain afterwards.

As a person who helps plan, organize and run rabbit shows we know there is always going to be that one person, usually a newbie, that makes mistake after mistake.  For this show, we were those people.  We thought we finally had our shit together, and boy where we wrong!

Day one for us, day two of the show.....ring time 9am.  We get there about 8ish, Kassie collects our numbers from the ring steward, and we put them on.  We then get the dogs out and get them ready.  My number was called first.  Number 9.  Well, it took us a minute to realize that my number was upside down; thankfully, the ring steward fixed it for me.  I take Torvi in.    We go around the ring, and then up on the table for examination.  The judge takes a step back after feeling her hindquarters.  Then comes forward and feels again.  Then steps back with a puzzled look.  I know that look.
"Is she missing something?"  I asked the judge.  To which he responded, "Yea, testicles!"    I asked the steward to read me the name of the dog assigned to #9.  That dog was in fact Odin.  Not Torvi.  
We were those people who didn't bring the right animal before the judge for examination.  Now, in front of everyone.  Kassie and I had to switch numbers, thus holding up the show, as she quickly got him into the ring.
​

Day two for us, Day three for the shows.  Today, our ring time was even earlier, 8am.  We got there in plenty of time to practice with Torvi and see if she will respond to Kassie better with the new martingale show chain.  And we soon discovered that was a no.  
Of course no event is complete without that one person spilling their drink all over the place.  Yup.  That person was me.  Somehow, someway, my 40oz thermal coffee mug flew from our cart and spill coffee on the floor, the ringside fence, judging table and even Odin.  So here I am with my Dog Wipes trying to mop up coffee from the floor, and the judging table while Kassie is using the same wipes to clean off Odin.  A lady came by to see what I was doing, and took the table, and removed it from the show ring.  She also pointed out to me a mop by the door, which I went and got to clean the floor.  A new table was delivered into the ring.  
I soon discovered the lady who took the table, was in fact the judge.

With the coffee all cleaned up, and I still had almost a full cup, the show began.  Although this judge was super kind and sweet, Odin really didn't want her touching him, but was okay with the guy judge we had yesterday.  I don't understand this boy.
​Odin earned the same placements as he did the day before.
Same for Torvi.  She showed well, with very few issues. Other than when she was supposed to stack in the ring, she instead wanted me to hold her and kept jumping up.

The following is placements for those I entered! 

This show is one of the most simplest shows in the state.  Super easy, single show.  Let's not forget, there are ZERO entry fees!  One single ARBA Open Show.  No entry fee, no premium from the fairgrounds, just legs.

This time around we brought only 9 rabbits with us.  Only rabbits needing legs.  Yes, this did include some 10 week old juniors.  Why not?  Its nice to get some opinions on them from others before I make my own choice of whom will stay.

There was enough entered for Best of Breed and Best Opposite of Breed legs.  With a total of 5 exhibitors, we were able to obtain those legs!  Hilltop's Habanero a Chocolate Sr buck earned his 3rd and granding leg placing Best Opposite of Breed and BHMB Say Good Bye a Broken (Tri) Sr Doe earned her 2nd leg by placing Best Of Breed. 

No photos were taken, this show was quick.  We arrived at 9ish and watched 4H Market before the ARBA open started.  Best In Show was chosen by 1pm and we were on the road to home!

I don't know about you, but to me, the State Fair show has a whole different feel to it than a basic ARBA show.  Maybe its the energy coming from the grounds, and the smell of fried fair food.  Who knows.

This was my second year being the secretary for the Montana State Fair ARBA Show.  I can tell you that helping organize a fair show is so much different than organizing your local club shows!  There is a gap between fair and official ARBA shows, and I am slowly but surely attempting to fill that gap in.

We only brought 11 rabbits this year to show as most of the does where at home with litters, and the litters were too young to be placed on the table.   Only a couple legs were earned.  Ch. BHMB Oblivion earned a BOV leg and BHMB Wish You The Best earned herself a class leg out of 6.  

Once again my friend Chris Mackprang  drove up from Wyoming to attend the show and brought some beautiful buns!  Not only did he win BOB on both tables, but he went on to pull a double Best In Show!  Another fantastic fair for Mini Lops!

What an amazing weekend! And an amazing show!  This was one of the most relaxing and laid back shows NMRE has done!  The show was held in Nickie's forested yard.  We were shaded quite well, which also kept it on the cooler side.  Everyone brought something for the pot luck lunch, which also was amazeballs! Nickie & Nancy's husbands manned the grill and kept the chicken and brats coming.

We had mainly locals come to the show, which was wonderful as I met so many new folks and seen several faces I have not seen in forever!  And we can't forget how amazing Ms. Pru is for bringing me some of my favorite Oatmeal No Bake cookies! They were the best! My only complaint was that they disappeared by the time the sun went down!! (I wonder where they went!? hmmm....)

It was nice to see so many Washington folk support a Montana Club in their backyard.  NMRE has struggled since covid to stay afloat, barely keeping our heads above water.  We went one year without being able to put on a show at all.  Now we can, and that is because of the generosity of another club & the Washington Rabbit Folks!

I was the only person in attendance with Mini Lops, and I only brought the five needed.  So here are a couple photos of those placements.
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Besides that, his breeder was going to be there.  There was four other Smooth Dachshunds entered, that would give Odin a chance to win a point maybe.  But, that was not the case.  Frustrating.  
Odin showed a lot better thanks to the help of local friends who made the time to help me with his table/exam work.  He shied a bit, but not like he did in Missoula.  Odin has also started to self stack at the end of the lead, which is super nice.  But more work needs to be done!
Odin came home with four blue ribbons, and four purple ribbons, but no points.  The more important thing we came home with from this show was more knowledge.  I fear how the point system works will forever confuse my brain, but.....AKC keeps track of all that so I dont have too!  We met some new people, and Kassie was able to get some advice from several other breeders, including Odin's on how to best handle him in the ring.  Showing dogs is more than just stacking them up, you have to find the right pace to move them around that ring so best show off the top line and leg work.  Odin winning does not only depend on him and how he is built, but on how we display him to the judges.
It is frustrating to come last each and every time he was in the ring with competition.  But, he is just a puppy, he is new and we are newish.  Looking back at my rabbits, I didnt grand a rabbit right out of the gates either.    So back to work, and get ready for the Helena show!​

On day two, Torvi went for her AKC Canine Good Citizenship Title and passed with flying colors!  Her certificate should be in the mail soon, along with a CGC Patch.  Torvi ended up getting a bigger ribbon than Odin, since now she has a title after her AKC Registered name! 
On day 3, Torvi took the plunge and finished up her OFA testing.  She had her Patellar Luxation (knees) done and additionally we did her Spine.  Those results should be up and posted soon as well!  We are hoping that this will qualify Torvi for her CHIC number.  These numbers are provided by OFA and show that Torvi has received all required health testing per her breed and it is available for the public.
While Torvi was hanging out, watching Odin show, we had several people ask why she wasnt in the ring as well.  Of course we said, because she is working on getting her pre-bab(ies) figure back.  So.....will Torvi be going back in the ring in Helena?  Perhaps.  I am sure she will, but the big question will be, is Astryd ready?    If entries where due today, I would say absolutely not!
So with that being said, we are hoping to make a few trips to Kalispell on the weekends for Odin, Torvi & Astryd to go to Handling Classes offered by the Flathead Kennel Club.  So, off we go......training, practice, and more training! 

Here is the show results from the Mini Lop Specialty held by NMRE over Memorial Weekend.

BHMB Masterpiece  2/4
Hill Top's Habanero 3/4
BHMB I Still Wear This Crown 2/4
BHMB Got The Time 3/4
BHMB Wish You The Best 2/2
BHMB Hail The Apocalypse - Best Opposite of Variety
BHMB Oblivion - Best of Variety/Best of Breed/Best In Show
BHMB Generation Psycho - DQ
BHMB Hollywood Forever 3/3
BHMB Click Click Boom 1/3
BHMB Blaze of Glory 2/4
BHMB Make Me Famous 3/4
BHMB Comin In Hot 4/4
BHMB Voodoo Doll - Best Opp Variety/Best Opp Breed/Best Opp In Show

Boy was I ever so humbled today.  I thought for sure, today Odin was going to shine and he was going to get that point!  Just one point, but I will take it.  Instead, Odin refused to allow the judge to touch him, and all he did was wiggle away and crawl up onto Kassie.  The judge was sweet and very patient and even helped Kassie restack him, talked to him, etc.  But examination again was a no go.  I had thought for sure it would be okay, because after yesterday we took him with us shopping around Missoula.  We had everyone who expressed interest to touch him, head to tail.  He was even put on the counter as some girls wanted to see him stand "like a show dog".  He loved being doted on and all the attention he was given.

So here we were at the show thinking today was going to be better.  The owner of the dog that beat him yesterday kindly took Kassie aside after we had a little bit of conversation, and gave her some hands on tips on how to stack and handle him to better present him.  Which was most appreciated!!  Its nice to see kindness from other exhibitors at the dog shows.  The lack of kindness and drama is one of the reasons we quit showing the Danes.  

I am not disappointed in Odin for not doing as well as I had imagined he would.  I am disappointed in myself.  I feel as if I have failed him, let him down.  I know he has it in him, he was bred for this.  It's me.  I have to help him be able to bring it out.  So now we are going to focus hard core on examination for Odin.  We have about three weeks until the Great Falls show.  Nine days before entries are due. Odin's breeder will be there as well.  Although I have shared everything with her this weekend, by sending videos and photos, I want to be able to show an improvement.  I want to be able to prove that I am working on him and helping him learn what he needs to do.

She entrusted me with this amazing dog, now I have to prove that I can do it.  Maybe not just for her, his breeder, but for me.  This after all I have dreamed of owning a dog with his breeding, and showing it to championship.  

We have not ever finished a dog before, even though we have shown before.  And trying to understand the showing and point process of an AKC dog show to me is like reading stereo instructions in chinese.  But here we are blessed with this opportunity with a beautiful bred Chocolate/Tan Dachshund.

Odin did great gaiting around the ring, on his down and back.  He got up on the table just fine and Kassie was able to stack him as normal.  The judge approached his face first, touched his muzzle to check his bite and moved over to feel his body.  This is when Odin decided he was not so sure and shied away from the Judge, almost falling off the table!  He won his 6-9 puppy class and earned his first blue ribbon by default as he was the only pup entered.

I'm not gonna lie, I am disappointed.  I had my hopes up so high and dreamed of this  happening.  I was so excited to learn that enough dogs where entered for a point to be able to be earned.  Seeing this other dog get the point makes me want to continue to show Torvi, again I am biased, but I thought even she looked better.  

But as disappointed as I am, we have learned a lot this first time out.  Odin needs to be touched more.  His breeder suggested getting him out, putting him up on a table and have strangers treat and touch him.  And we did just that for most of the afternoon after the show.  Tomorrow is a different day, a different judge and a new opportunity to get that point!  Odin was bred for this, now it is up to us to help him bring it out and show it off.