General Information:
- Rabbit ID forms are due June 15.
- Health certificates are not required. Animals should be free from fleas, ticks, mites, lice or other parasites. Rabbits showing any sign of disease or parasites will not be allowed to check in. All exhibitors must have their rabbits checked by a superintendent prior to placing them in a cage. If something is found wrong with your animal, it will be sent home and not allowed to show.
- YQCA training - All exhibitors/showmen, including substitutes, in Rabbit must have received YQCA training. A certificate must be turned into the Extension Office. Training must be completed by June 15.
- Any 4-H member with a rabbit may enter the Showmanship class.
- Pet Rabbits should be entered under the Companion Animal Class 10, to avoid addition of your rabbit to the Livestock Sale.
- Enter Rabbit Showmanship using the class number in this Rabbit Division.
- Rabbits must exhibit as a breeding class rabbit and must be a fair representation to the Standards and Weight set by the American Rabbit Breeders Association.
- Exhibitors may show up to 7 animals.
- Enter your rabbits at the Small Animal Barn.
- Exhibitors will be required to show their rabbits during judging. If there is a Family emergency, a substitute showman may be appointed. The superintendent must approve substitute showman. Substitute showman needs to be a registered 4-H member in Sheridan County and completed YQCA training.
- If an exhibitor has more than one entry in a class, the exhibitor is responsible for finding an eligible Sheridan County 4-H member to substitute show one of the animals for them. No parents will be allowed to show for the exhibitor.
- All 4-H member entering an animal project are automatically entered in Herdsmanship.
- Cages and wood shavings are provided.
- Exhibitors are responsible for feeding and watering their animals regularly until the animals are released by the superintendent.
- The Small Animal Barn is locked at 8 pm and will be open each day by 7am except for Load-Out day,
- All exhibitors are responsible for keeping the area around their rabbit cage clean and presentable to the public. Feed and water containers are NOT provided.
4-H Dress Code is required.
Limit of one animal per member may be sold at the Livestock Sale.
A 4-H member may sell only 2 items total. Listed are the options.
- 2 animals of different species (Rabbit Meat Pen and Poultry Pen of Broilers count as one item)
- 1 animal and 1 cake or cupcakes
- 1 animal and 1 cookie jar
- 1 cake or cupcakes and 1 cookie jar
- All market animals are automatically consigned onto the Livestock Sale. Youth must come to the 4-H Office and remove those animals they do not wish to sell 30 minutes following the show. If youth have more than one animal of the same species and do not remove one, neither animal will be allowed to sell.
- Remember to get a photo for your thank you card.
Rabbit Showmanship Contest Rules
- Showmanship must be pre-registered along with your individual classes. All exhibitors are encouraged to enter rabbit showmanship.
- Participant may use any rabbit they choose, as long as it was raised, trained and ID by the 4-H member.
- Coaching of exhibitors is strictly prohibited. The exhibitor is responsible for presenting their animal on their own merit.
- Showmanship judging is based on the grooming and training of the rabbit, and the appearance and behavior of the exhibitor. Exhibitors must vocally and physically explain the steps in their routine and the merit of the rabbit. Showmanship is the skill of the exhibitor in presenting and explaining the rabbit before the judge.
- Showmanship scores will be based on the criteria listed on the showmanship score sheet.
- The judge may or may not ask questions of the exhibitor at the close of the routine.
- The excellence of the rabbit is NOT considered in scoring.
- If there is a tie, oral questions will be given to break the tie.
- Maximum length of showmanship presentations is four minutes.
- Items to Bring – Showmanship exhibitors are asked to bring a carpet square or mat for showmanship.
Fancy Breed List (Purebred rabbits only):
American Sable, Britannia Petite, Lilac. Mini Satin, American Fuzzy Lop, Dutch, Mini Rex, Netherland Dwarf, Belgian Hare, Dwarf Hotot. Mini Lop, Polish, English Angora, Jersey Woolie, Rex, Thrianta, English Spot, Holland Lop, Rhinelander, Tan, Florida White, Himalay, Satin Angora, Standard Chinchilla, French Angora, Havana, Silver Marten, Silver, Harlequin
Commercial Rabbits (Purebred rabbits only):
Satin, Crème D’Argent, Silver Fox, Beveren, Giant Angora, Blanc De Hotot, Giant Chinchilla, Californian, New Zealand
Division 79 – Rabbit
G079001 Sr. Rabbit Showmanship – age 14+, by January 1
G079002 Int. Rabbit Showmanship – age 11, 12, 13, by January 1
G079003 Jr. Rabbit Showmanship – age 9 and 10, by January 1
G079004 Novice Rabbit Showmanship – age 8, by January 1
G079005 Junior Fancy Breed – under 6 months of age
G079006 Senior Fancy Breed – over 6 months of age
G079007 Junior Commercial Breed – under 6 months of age
G079008 Int. Commercial Breed – 6-8 months of age
G079009 Senior Commercial Breed – over 8 months of age
G079010 Pet Class – for crossbred rabbits only. Rabbits are judged on care-condition, temperament, and other qualities looked for in pets.
G079011 Single Fryer – 3 ½ to 5 ½ lbs under 69 days of age
G079012 Meat Pen of Three – 3 ½ to 5 ½ lbs under 69 days of age
G079013 Roaster – over 5 ½ lb