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.

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!

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.

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

Hilltop's Habanero -  Best Opposite of Variety/ Best Opposite of Breed
BHMB Got The Time  3/4
BHMB I Still Wear This Crown  2/4
BHMB Hail The Apocalypse  1/1
BHMB Oblivion DQ-Weight
BHMB Blaze Of Glory  3/5
BHMB Voodoo Doll  2/5 
BHMB Make Me Famous - Best of Variety/Best of Breed
BHMB Say Goodbye  4/5

​Hilltop's Habanero -  Best of Variety
BHMB Got The Time  3/4
BHMB I Still Wear This Crown  2/4
BHMB Hail The Apocalypse  1/1
BHMB Oblivion -  Best Opposite of Variety/Best Opposite Breed
BHMB Blaze Of Glory  -  Best of Variety/Best of Breed/Best In Show
BHMB Voodoo Doll  4/5 
BHMB Make Me Famous  3/5
BHMB Say Goodbye  2/5