Amethyst Stud around the Shows; 2016
Wickham; 18/12/16
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Coming to Wickham always feels like coming home- I don't know whether it's the place or the people but I've always felt like that. With us today were Cilla, Reuben and Buzz, a small team since there was another incredibly exciting thing going on. A couple of months beforehand the secretary had contacted me asking if I'd like to judge the Junior COM show, and of course I said yes! I had an incredibly entry of 33 rabbits to sort out (far cry from the entry of 7 I had at the New Forest!) which was challenging but really really enjoyable. The standard of rabbits were fantastic, I was very impressed, but BIS ended up going to a stunning Thuringer which stood out from the moment it arrived on the table. Having so many rabbits to sort out in breeds I wasn't so familiar with meant I gained so much experience from the judging, and the compliments I recieved from several people on my handling really gave me a confidence boost. Our own bunnies did well too, with CCs from all three of the team and Reuben taking BOB and 2nd u/5 Fancy. All in all a very successful day!
It's odd to think that at this show in 2012 I was celebrating Twix winning Best Junior Fancy- if you'd told me back then that in four years time I'd be judging the show I'd just competed in I'd have told you to stop dreaming!
It's odd to think that at this show in 2012 I was celebrating Twix winning Best Junior Fancy- if you'd told me back then that in four years time I'd be judging the show I'd just competed in I'd have told you to stop dreaming!
West Sussex; 4/12/16
Coventry; 29/11/16
London Championships; 8/10/10 - 9/10/16
Ardingly; 2/10/16
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It's been four years since we last came to the October Ardingly Show, but at the very last minute we decided to put in our entry. We only took Cilla and Buzz with us, mindful that the London was only a week away, so there was plenty of time to explore rather than spending the whole day in the livestock shed. Both Cilla and Buzz won their classes, with Buzz being awarded 2nd in the Rex Challenge after a very very long time of watching him on the show table! After the show was finished we took Tao for a walk around the fields with our friends and their dogs before the day was over. A very short show, but with London looming I was glad for a relatively quiet weekend before!
West Midland Championships; 28/8/16
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The August bank holiday weekend saw us up at Coventry for the Midlands Championships as the UK Rex Show, with Cilla, Dash, Audrey, Emerald and Buzz accompanying us. We were in quite the fancy hotel the night before so it was posh clothes for our evening meal, which ended up with me nearly falling asleep on the arm of a sofa! It was quite the opposite the next morning when we had to fight a coach party to get into the breakfast queue, before it was off to the show hall. The entire team did us proud; Cilla and Dash both took their CCs, Emerald was second in her class and Audrey won over an impressive class that included a few of her relatives from her mother's breeder! It was Buzz who really stood out though with a CC in both the main and stock shows and 4th in the Rex Challenge, which is absolutely incredible for his first show as an adult! We went to a different hotel for the evening which proved very interesting to find, but after taking an unexpected tour of Coventry we made it time for a lovely meal before heading off home.
St Neots; 13/8/16
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This gorgeous little town hosted our second NLRC stock show of the year, so it was with a large team of Cilla, Dash, Audrey, and Emerald in addition to Buzz and Bo that we drove up to Cambridge on the Friday evening. The evening meal was absolutely hilarious with some very funny moments, so we got to bed rather late! The show got off to an early start after breakfast at the hotel (plus smuggling some croissants to our friends at the showground!), and with our grooming eventually finished we were ready to go. All the Lions took first in their classes, with Cilla and Dash claiming their CCs too. In the Adult lineup Cilla placed 6th and Dash 8th, but the u/5 lineup was a much greater success with Emerald taking4th and Audrey coming a fantastic 2nd. Dash was also awarded Best Buck, proving he can live up to his mother's name. The two rexes came 2nd and 3rd in their class, the 1st place rabbit belonging to the breeder who gave us Neville the tiny buck at the same time! After a wander around the town it was time to pack up, lending a hand in the show hall before making our way home.
Official photos (c) NLRC
Official photos (c) NLRC
New Forest Show; 26/7/16 - 28/7/16
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Day 1: Rather than arrive early on the first morning for this show, we decided to get down to the showground on the Monday evening and have an extra evening with our friends. We had a team of Amethyst, Cilla, Buzz and Bo to get ready for this show, making the morning's grooming relatively easy. The week was started off on a high note, with Ammie claiming the CC easily despite only just returning to the show scene after her second litter! Cilla was second in her class, and on the rex front Bo was disqualified leaving Buzz to take the CC and 3rd u/5 rex. After a long morning of stewarding we spent the afternoon in the showground, before taking the dogs for a walk. It was warm enough to not need the firepit in the evening, and with the tent already up we could just relax and put our feet up!
Day 2: There wasn't so much of a rush to get to the rabbit tent since the team were already groomed, so we had time to enjoy a peaceful breakfast before making our way down. The results were very much the same as the previous day, although Ammie lost out on her CC in a very close match. We were already exhausted by this point in the week, so we actually had a nap in the sunshine by the tents in the afternoon! Once the show was finished for the day it was another dog walk, then a cold evening around the firepit with blankets and lots of coats!
Day 2: There wasn't so much of a rush to get to the rabbit tent since the team were already groomed, so we had time to enjoy a peaceful breakfast before making our way down. The results were very much the same as the previous day, although Ammie lost out on her CC in a very close match. We were already exhausted by this point in the week, so we actually had a nap in the sunshine by the tents in the afternoon! Once the show was finished for the day it was another dog walk, then a cold evening around the firepit with blankets and lots of coats!
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Day 3: Despite the team needing hardly a touch-up before they were ready to go, the final day was extra stressful for a totally different reason. My first judging engagement had arrived at long last, with a small but very high standard Junior COM show to judge! The judging itself was nerve-wracking but fun all the same, and I recieved some fantastic advice from a great many people. With regard to our own rabbits, this was definitely the best day as Ammie took her CC back, Cilla snatched hers for the first time and Buzz repeated his 3rd u/5 rex result yet again! After our final look around the showground it was back to the tents with the rabbits, and we stayed very late before making our way home at about 10:30. All done for another year, and what an amazing time we had!
(I would like it noted that my method of judging pictured is very standard and does not harm or trance the rabbit. He is NOT being restrained by the ears, instead his neck is being supported so I could check him underneath.)
(I would like it noted that my method of judging pictured is very standard and does not harm or trance the rabbit. He is NOT being restrained by the ears, instead his neck is being supported so I could check him underneath.)
Ardingly Agricultural Show; 11/6/16
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After a long month away due to college exams, it was great to be back on the show scene once again. Dash, Kylo, Cilla, Raine and Reef came with us to the first agricultural show of the year, but no Bigwig due to pet classes being suspended due to the VHD2 crisis. We arrived late on the Friday for dinner and a fun evening with our usual group of camping friends, and a long walk around the show ground with the collective group of dogs. It certainly wasn't the best night in the tent we've ever had, what with being on a rather large slope on top of some tree roots and having a loud herd of goats walk past at 4am! Saturday began with scorching hot weather to the point where several people (myself included!) couldn't bear to wear show coats, but that changed dramatically at lunchtime with an unexpected thunderstorm! Dash, Cilla and Reef all won their classes with CCs, Reef getting an extra rosette from the Rex Stock Show, and Dash placed a fantastic 2nd in the u/5 Fancy Challenge. The rest of the day was spent helping our friends out on their trade stand, and doing some serious bargain hunting in the clothes stands!
Southern Championships; 1/5/16
Reading; 17/4/16
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A really quiet show, but a lovely day nonetheless. Black boys Dash and Kylo joined the team for the first time in what we hope will be a fantastic show career, and they along with Pearl, Russell, Reef, Raine and Bigwig all did very well. On the Lionhead front Dash placed first out of the three with Ky second and Pearl third, and he also took the BOB, Best U/5 Fancy and 3rd Best U/5 in show! Considering it's his first time out we're absolutely thrilled! Russell was well recieved by the judge, and on the Rex front poor Reef was disqualified for just breaching the weight limit and Raine came second in her class and 2nd U/5 Rex. Wiggie was 2nd yet again (beginning to think this is a running theme!), though he definitely has a following now as even before I'd brought him into the show hall people were asking if I'd brought him along! He got plenty of attention on the show table and was an absolute star, bringing a great end to a successful day.
Wickham; 20/3/16
Reading; 28/2/16
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Despite the usual show team performing well at this show, it was Bigwig who really got everyione's attention! He came with us for the Pet Show, and despite his 2nd place he had everyone enamoured by his sweet face and hilarious personality. As for the Lions, Ammie took the BOB and came 6th in the Fancy Challenge while Friar was a very admirable 2nd in the u/5 challenge with Pearl not far behind. Russell was recieved well by the judge and again was liked a lot our fellow fanciedrs, bringing an end to what was a nice day out.
West Parley; 14/2/16
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A lovely venue with a fantastic group of people, it's always great to be back at Parley. Ammie, Pearl, Friar and Russell accompanied us, making it an easy show to get ready for. Ammie took the CC over Pearl as was expected, giving her the last star she needed for her Gold Star Certificate! Friar was awarded the other CC, and to my amazement went all the way to 3rd in the u/5 fancy challenge over some really fantastic rabbits! Russell was first in the unstandardised fancy challenge, getting some lovely comments from both the judge and other exhibtors. All in all a great day with lots of stewarding (my hand had a near-miss with a particularly bouncy pole!) and catching up with friends.
Bradford Premier Small Animal Show; 30/1/16 - 31/1/16
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Our first time showing as Amethyst Stud rather than under my name, and with it came a new record on the least amount of sleep had before a show! After a mere one hour in bed we were off with Ammie, Rhu, Beryl, Pearl and Russell alongside. It was a very long 5 hour journey through some very windy weather and a few interesting diversions, but we made it up to Bradford with plenty of time to get the team penned. Ammie repeated her last year's Bradford achievement, getting the BEW CC which means she's got only one star to go before she hits the big 35! Rhu and Beryl were both third in their classes and Pearl was 2nd, and Russell came fourth in the Unstandardised Fancy Challenge, which I'm very pleased with considering it was the first presentation of the breed. He got some wonderful compliments from our lionheader friends though! We also had the NLRC AGM where the members points for 2015 were announced; I'm very pleased to say we were fourth overall and the winners of the junior members points for the second year running! It was a very long and cold day in the show hall before we went back to our hotel for a lovely meal and well earned rest, and the Sunday was spent looking around the shops, catching up with friends and helping out on our club stand for a while. An unexpected but very pleasant surprise during this weekend was that I was asked to judge the Junior COM show on the last day of the New Forest Show this year! A wonderful addition to an already brilliant weekend, and I'm already nervous and excited just thinking about it!