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!