Judges Conference

I had a great time at the annual judge’s conference held on Friday night at the Pennsylvania State Rabbit Breeders Association (PaSRBA) speaking about angoras and the difference between the breeds and their wool. All four angora breeds (English, French, Giant, and Satin Angora) were represented. My good friend Debbie McCormick  aka "Heart Felt Hares" of North Carolina was my assistant as I spoke about the four angora breeds. Debbie even brought her electric spinning wheel to demonstrate how to spin the angora fiber.

The life of a show piggy

The life of a show piggy is hard, the attention to detail on spa day and show day. The nice warm bubble bath.  The pedicure and manicure. The nice warm towel that they are wrapped in after the bath. Next is the drying process, which is done carefully not to burn the pig with the hair dryer.

We have Harlequins again!

After dispersing of Jessica’s Harlequins last fall, I thought I was done with the breed completely. Except for my commitments to the Eastern Harlequin Rabbit Club, as secretary and the 2016 Show Secretary for the National Harlequin Show in that will be in New Jersey.  In late December early January, I started to miss the breed and the surprises that would pop up in the nest boxes. So I started to put feelers out for a couple of Japanese and Magpies.

Fuzzibutt’s Rabbitry will be working with Harlequins on a small scale and may occasionally have some available to pet/brood or show homes in the future.  Thank you to Sarah Freund of The Harlequin Hatchery in MD, John Spence of Charmed Rabbitry in PA, Gail Smith of Sunshine’s Rabbitry in NY and Nicole and Jarrett Keys of Eagle Creek’s Rabbitry & Caviry in MD for a new start in the breed.

Fingers crossed for healthy, nicely marked babies in the nest boxes this spring.

Judges Conference Angora Wool Presentation

I was asked at the 91^st ARBA Convention in Texas if I would like to be a presenter/speak at the Official ARBA Judges Conference Friday, February 6, 2015 in conjunction with the Pennsylvania State Rabbit Breeders Association Show. Of course I jumped at the opportunity to speak about my love of wool breeds (English Angora, French Angora, Giant Angora and Satin Angora).

The conference was broken down into multiple stations where a presenter/speaker could demonstrate and talk about their specific breeds for up to 12-15 minutes. My good friend and buddy in crime Debbie McCormick was helper for the evening. Debbie allowed me to use Odin one of her Ruby Eyed White English Angoras in FULL show coat to demonstrate the proper texture and density and body on a English Angora. Those who attended the conference had the opportunity to have “hands on” with an exceptional specimen of the breed. Debbie even did a brief lesson on spinning angora fiber. This allowed the judges the unique experiences to see angora fiber in action, doing what it was meant to do.

 

 

I am proud to say that all 4 Angora breeds (English Angora, French Angora, Giant Angora and Satin Angora) were well represented at the judge’s conference. A big THANK YOU to Deb Clemens and June Abbott of North Carolina for allowing me to borrow a French Angora and a Satin Angora for my presentation.

The following day I had quite a few judges come up and thank me for my detailed description of the three DISTINCT types of Giant Angora fiber.