Finding Shows
Rabbit shows are a fun experience for anyone who has or loves rabbits! If  you have never attended one before, we recommend going to see what it is all about! You can find upcoming shows on the ARBA website. 

Show Catalogues
Each show will have a show catalogue or an information sheet. Anymore, these are usually electronic versions. Show catalogues contain important information such as the date of the show, due date (and sometimes time) for entries, location of the show and directions, check-in time, start time, judges, what vendor(s) will be at the show, entry fees, how many shows and what type of shows there are, and any other useful information.

Understanding a show catalogue can be a bit tricky at first! So let's discuss some common components of a catalogue. Remember, if you are not certain about something, you can always contact the show secretary to clarify!

Open/Youth (O/Y): this indicates who is eligible to enter certain shows. Open shows allow anyone to enter them. Youth shows are restricted to exhibitors who are 18 and younger. Some shows may have an equal number of Open and Youth shows, some may only be Open, some may only be Youth, etc. If a rabbit is co-owned by an adult, even if one of the owners is a youth, it must be entered in Open shows, not Youth. The same rabbit can't be entered in both Open and Youth shows at the same shows.

Show Secretary: this is who you will send your entries to! The catalogue will include the secretary's contact information, as well as their name. 

Vendors: this is a list of vendors anticipated to be at the show. Go check them out. Support show  vendors!

Other Entry Info: this will include things like pre-entry or day of show entries. If the show says "pre-entry only", they only accept entries up to the stated entry deadline. If the show says "day of entry only", you show up before the check-in time closes and make your entries at the show. Many shows allow both, but there may be higher entry fees for day of entries. The catalogue may also state that the show offers comment cards or does not. If it does, that means someone will write down judges' comments on a special card, and you can take that card with you afterward. More and more shows are no comment card shows now, so you will have to listen to the comments on your own! The catalogue will also state whether or not day of show entries or changes can be made. If you want to add a rabbit or make a change, even if the catalogue says it is allowed, always do so through the show secretary! Changes cannot be made at the table. Make sure  you also pay attention to how entries should be sent. Some shows ask for you to enter via a specific website, while others allow emailed or mailed entries. Some may have multiple options. 

Location and Directions: there will be an address and sometimes specific directions or a building name/number to help you find the show site. There may also be directions for where to park. 

Other: some shows will have a raffle you can buy tickets for. There may be a picnic or meal options. There may be additional activities you can sign up for (like youth royalty contests or a dress up contest).

Attending a Show as a Spectator

When you first arrive at a show, it may seem overwhelming. You will see many rabbits and people all over. If it is a cooped show, rabbits will be in larger holding cages. Carrier shows are more common, and rabbits at these type of shows are kept in their carriers until it is time for them to be judged. Rabbits will be brought up to the judging table when their breed, variety (color), class (age group), and sex (buck or doe) are called up.

Watching rabbit shows can be quite informative! Judges give comments on the rabbits, good and bad, to help breeders make choices about their breeding programs and to justify the placements given. You can learn a lot about different breeds by watching. Be sure to stay out of the way of the judges and exhibitors getting rabbits onto and off of the judging table. 

Be sure you (and any kids with you!) do not stick your fingers in rabbit cages or judging coops. Rabbits can get stressed, and some may think your fingers are a snack! Some breeders will be happy to let you pet a rabbit, but don't be upset if a breeder says no. They may be concerned about diseases being spread, or they may just have groomed their rabbit to perfection for the show!

Shows often have vendors selling rabbit equipment, crafts, or human food. Breeders may be selling rabbits, so if you are in the market for a rabbit, this is a great place to get one! If you plan to get a show or breeding quality rabbit, we highly recommend you ask a registrar or judge to go over the rabbit with you (ask the breeder's permission first, of course!) so you know the strengths and weaknesses of the rabbit you are considering. Be sure to wait until after the judge is done judging to ask if they are willing to do this. If you want a rabbit as a pet, all you have to do is make sure the rabbit is healthy, then choose any one you like best!

Entering Shows
To enter a show, you will need the show premium, which can be attained from the show secretary. The ARBA show listings page will list the show secretary's name and have a link to their email address. Just send them a friendly request for the show catalogue to get all the information about entry costs, location, date, entry deadline, check-in times, start times, and more! 

Once you have decided on a show to enter, you will need to send an email to the secretary with all of the information for the entry. Before you do that, however, stop and make sure your rabbit is showable! Does your rabbit fit a breed standard with at least no disqualifications? While a rabbit does not have to be purebred or registered to enter a show, if it does not fit the standard of the breed you are entering it as, it may place poorly or even be disqualified from competition. You can purchase an ARBA Standard of Perfection to check whether your rabbit fits. You can also bring your rabbit to a show without entering and ask a registrar or a judge (wait until after they are done judging for the day!) to check if your rabbit is show quality. If it is, you can enter it in the next show! Make sure your rabbit has a tattoo number in its left ear for identification.

Now that you have a show quality rabbit, it is time to send in your entry! Here is an example entry:

Many shows will have more than one show in the day or several cross multiple days. Check the show catalogue to see how many shows there are, what they are labeled as (most shows will be labeled with letters like A, B, C, D), and what day each show is. If you are entering all of the shows for the weekend, you can just put "all shows". If there is a specialty show for your breed, it is a good idea to note that entry as well, just to be sure the secretary knows you are entering the specialty! If you are only entering one or a few, just put which shows you plan to enter. Once you have everything ready, send your email with all of your information to the show secretary with a subject line of something like "Show entries for the Rabbitville Show". The secretary should send you a confirmation email within a day or two. When you get that email, be sure to check it over carefully for any mistakes on your entry. If there are any mistakes, send back a polite email to the secretary with the changes.

Now you are done with your first show up to best of breed competition! If you entered multiple shows that day, be sure to pay attention for when the next show starts. Some shows run one show after the other, while others will run multiple shows concurrently. That means you may be going straight from one judge to the next in some shows!

If you rabbit wins best of breed, you will want to stay for the best in show judging. When they call for best in show judging for the show you won best of breed in, bring you rabbit back up. The table assistant or show secretary will check the ear number of  your rabbit to make sure the best of breed winner is up there. Then just stand back and cross your fingers! The judge will select best in show and reserve best in show. In some shows, the judge will instead select a best in show and then a best size class. In this case, if a 4-class rabbit wins best in show, the judge will select the best 6-class rabbit, or vice versa. 4-class rabbits are those which only have junior and senior age classes (small to medium breeds). 6-class rabbits are those which have junior, intermediate, and senior age classes (large to giant breeds). It's called 4-class because there are four total classes (junior buck, junior doe, senior buck, senior doe), and 6-class breeds have six total classes (junior buck, junior doe, intermediate buck, intermediate doe, senior buck, senior doe). Check your breed's standard to know what yours is!