Cooperative Extension Service AS/R 1O9.1~

A rabbit showman is a person who has learned the art ofselecting, fitting and presenting rabbits to advantage at ashow. This publication deals primarily with handlingand presenting the rabbit to advantage to the judge. Theconfidence and ability demonstrated and the rabbit’s response indicates previous work with the rabbit. Knowledge of the showman in response to questions about parts,defects, disqualifications, breed, and variety characteristics and the appearance of the rabbit indicates an ability toselect and fit for whow.

At most rabbit shows the rabbits are placed in exhibitcoops. The judging is done at a judging table with holdingcages between the audience and the judge. It is difficult formore than five or ten people to see and hear what ishappening and an exhibitor usually loses the identity of hisor her rabbit. There is little opportunity for large numbersof people to hear or see what happens in the judging process. An exhibitor usually learns how well he or she did byseeing a sticker on the exhibit coop tag and later gets ajudging card with the judges placing and notes.

Rabbit Showmanship carries the association of showmanand the rabbit directly to an open table where the showman, along with other exhibitors, presents the rabbitto the judge (Figure 1). At the show table there isevery opportunity to see differences in quality, hearall the comments of the judge on your exhibit aswell as others and to learn by observation the finer

Figure 2. Carrying the Rabbit. Proper procedure when bringing therabbit to the table or when moving the rabbit to a new position onthe table. The left hand supports the weight while the right handcontrols the rabbit.

points of Rabbit Showmanship. The audience, too, whenseated in bleachers or other satisfactory facilities, canfollow the judging and also learn from the experience. Ifthe audience is large or the judge’s voice weak, an amplifying system should be provided.

Those interested in rabbit projects as a means of teaching useful skills and knowledge, especially to young people,are recognizing the value of Rabbit Showmanship. RabbitShowmanship has stimulated greater interest in rabbits as away to have an animal raising experience in 4-H.

The procedure recommended in this publication is explained step by step along with what you, the showman,will do and what the judge will be evaluating. 4-H RabbitShow Judges and 4-H Rabbit Showmanship Judges shouldread the publication thoroughly before judging so that theirjudging will support the work of the 4-H leaders who havetaught their members based on recommended proceduresavailable to all members. The recommended proceduresfollow.

Kenneth S. Olson, Extension Specialist, 4-H

Rabbit Showmanship

Figure 1. Rabbit Showmen showing straight rear legs to judgeHoward Victor.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the US Department of Agriculture. Cooperative Extension Service, College of Agriculture, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721.

The University of Arizona College of Agriculture is an equal opportunity employer authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function without regard to sex, race, religion, color, national origin, age,Vietnam Era Veteran’s status, or handicapping condition.

Steps in Showing a Rabbit Exhibit

What the Judge Evaluates

I. Carrying the rabbit to andfrom the table and movingit to a different spot onthe table (10 points).

1. Carrying and moving therabbit.

If the judge asks you tomove to a different spot onthe table always pick uprabbit for carrying beforemoving to the new location.

II. Showing your rabbit to thejudge (60 points). When askedby the judge show the following:

1. Ear Canker.

2. Tooth Defects, Snufflesand Eyes.

3. Sex and Vent Disease.

4. Toenails;Color, Length.

5. Sore Hocks, Body Ruptures and Abscesses.

6. Straightness of Legs,Front Legs—

Rear Legs—

7. Straightness of Tail.

8. Fur Quality, Cleanlinessand Condition.

9. Pose the Rabbit.

Show front, rear, or side inorder requested by thejudge so that he can seeoverall balance and feelshoulders, rib area, loin,rump, etc. if he wishes todo so.

III. Appearance, actions and knowledge of showman (30 points).

1. Appearance.

2. Actions.

3. Knowledge.

What You Will Do

A proper way to carry a rabbit is to grasp the fold of skin over theshoulder with the right hand (include the ears) and support therabbit’s weight by placing the left hand under the rump (Figure 2).

The left hand supports the weight of the rabbit while the right handcontrols the rabbit. Always keep a firm grip with the right handsince a rabbit dropped from this position can easily break its back.

When you arrive at the exhibit table place the rabbit on the tableimmediately and pose it so that it may impress the judge while he iswaiting for the other exhibitors to bring their rabbit (Figure 3). Itnever hurts to wear a smile.

Open ears so that the judge can see deep into the ear— right andthen left ear (Figure 4 and 5).

Place the thumb and index finger on each side of the split upper lipand push back lips to show teeth. Let judge see nose and eye areaand show front feet to the judge if he wishes to inspect them furevidence of snuffles (Figure 6).

Show sex to judge (Figure 7). Clamp tail with index and secondfinger; place thumb below vent area and push toward front ofrabbit.

Show toenails to the judge (Figure 8) by pushing thumb into centerof paw. Push back fur with index finger if necessary to see thetoenails.

Show bottom of feet and underside of rabbit to judge (Figure 9).

With rabbit facing the judge grasp ears between the index finger andthumb and lift slightly (Figure 10).

Force rear legs out straight by placing your cupped hand ahead ofthe rear legs and pushing toward the feet. Point outstretched legstoward the judge (Figure 11).

Show rear of rabbit with tail showing to the judge (Figure 12).

Stroke fur toward rabbit’s head to show fur fly back and cleanliness(Figure 13). Stroke rabbit from head to rear showing your cleanhand to the judge which indicates the rabbit’s fur is not in a moulting condition (Figure 15). Since Rex fur does not have the fly backquality, pat the fur to feel the density (Figure 14).

Pose the rabbit on the table. This is the most important part ofshowing a rabbit. Always have the rabbit showing to advantage.Front View (Figure 16). Rear View (Figure 17). Side View (Figure18). It is most natural to show a side view with the rabbit facing toyour left.

Be neat and appropriately dressed for the occasion. Long sleevesshould be worn when handling rabbits. Organization colors forclothing or uniforms of sorts are nice but not required.

Carry out actions in a confident manner always being considerate ofyour animal, fellow showmen and the judge. The judge should haveyour attention at all times so that he doesn’t have to come to you toget your attention to move your rabbit or take some other action.

Be prepared to answer questions about your rabbit with reference toparts, defects, disqualitications, breed and variety characteristic,especially of the breed you raise, and general rabbit raising information you should be learning as a part of your rabbit raising project.

Figure 3. Pose the Rabbit.

Figure 7. Sex and Vent Disease.

Figure 11. Straightness of Rear Legs.

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Figure 15. Fur Condition (Show Hand).

Figure 12. Straightness of Tail. Figure 13. Fly Back—Normal Fur.

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Figure 4. Ear Canker (Right Ear).

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Figure 5. Ear Canker (Left Ear).

Figure 8. Toe Nails. Figure 9. Hocks and Belly Area. Figure 10. Straightness of Front Legs.

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Figure 14. Density—Rex Fur.

Figure 16. Front View. Figure 17. Rear View. Figure 18. Side View.

Note to the Rabbit ShowmanThe things you will do in the procedure outlined in this publication are what you do when you are at a Rabbit Show wherethe owner is asked to show the animal or when a table full of showmen are competing in a Rabbit Showmanship Contest. Inboth cases the judge will ask you to show something specific. When there are only a few showmen or the judge is having difficulty arriving at a winner you may be asked to take part in a more intensified showmanship experience. This usually includes carrying your rabbit to a table and going through each step in the showmanship procedure in this publication, sometimes without the judge’s clues. Explain what you are doing or looking for in each of your actions and tell how it compareswith the standard for the breed. While showing the rabbit to advantage respond to any questions that may be asked. Thencarry your rabbit back to the holding cage.

Note to 4-H LeadersThis Arizona publication entitled “Rabbit Showmanship” will make an excellent meeting topic. Have someone demonstratethe procedures as outlined. Then have all members take a rabbit and show it with you or someone you designate acting as theshowmanship judge.

Note to the Rabbit Showmanship JudgeThe primary emphasis in Rabbit Showmanship should be the ability of the showman to present the rabbit exhibit toadvantage to you. In other words a showman with a red or white ribbon rabbit could place first in rabbit showmanship. Discourage showmanship for showmanship’s sake alone. Unless the art is used at the rabbit show to show the rabbits there is nopoint in developing the ability. People are too busy today to engage in pointless activity.

If you ask questions to test knowledge, our experience has been that it is difficult to ask questions of similar difficulty. AtState Contests we have administered a separate showmanship quiz which we feel gives a more fair outcome to that portion ofthe contest while at smaller contests we have not asked questions at all but concentrated on the physical ability to show rabbits. At some contests questions have been used to separate the two or three finalists. In fairness to all, use the proceduresrecommended in this publication which are available to all as a basis for correct handling. Deviations based on personal likesor dislikes or other authorities confuse and discourage young people and frustrate 4-H leaders who have been teaching withthis material at hand.

Note to the Rabbit JudgeHaving the Showmen show you what you wish to see all at the same time (see Figure 1) will speed up the judging process.This does not, however, prevent you from personally handling some or all rabbits to check for finer points. Try to do a greatdeal of talking as to what is taking place so that the exhibitors and the audience alike can learn from you. Use a microphonewhen available so that all can hear. Having all animals on a table where you can see the entire class at once gives you a distinctadvantage and a wonderful opportunity to help those viewing the proceedings to see what you see and hopefully understandthe placings better. Lining up the final placing from left to right with the first place rabbit on the left often is very useful inhelping the audience see them as you do. It also gives the showmen an opportunity to move rabbits properly and pose themagain. Refrain from the temptation to do all handling youself since this deprives young people from exhibiting their showmanship abifity, slows up the judging and results in a boring experience for the exhibitor.

Note to Fair or Show SuperintendentsThe proper equipment needed for a Rabbit Show, where owners show their own rabbits, will be a table about two feet wideand long enough to accommodate the largest classes entered in the show. If the table is covered with old carpeting it willenable the rabbits to sit properly and comfortably. Provisions should be made for the audience to be seated comfortably andto hear easily if they are going to enjoy and learn from looking on. The same table is also needed in a good Rabbit Showmanship event.

This publication celebrates out 10th year of showing rabbits on a carpeted open table in Arizona and is dedicated to JudgeHoward Victor who was so cooperative in helping with this then innovative idea. Thanks to Robert Prosser who posed for allthe procedure pictures.

KSO, 6/81