The first show of 2008 for me, and the first time I’ve attended this specialty show for Polish rabbits.
Held in the Richfield Fire Station, which is between West Bend and Sussex, I began the drive worried about the forcasted snow flurries. The snow did come during the show day, but melted as it hit the ground so my hour-and-a-half drive was not treacherous as I thought it might be.
The building was heated, and had a nice kitchen and showroom area - everyone brings their own batch of chili which is all combined in one large cooker and sold by the bowl at lunchtime, along with other goodies. There was a nice raffle which the kids always like, and Roger Moeller’s rabbit equipment was there to offer just about anything you needed for your rabbitry.
I only brought 5 Polish rabbits to show - I have more, but since I am only in week 7 of recovery from my surgery, I didn’t want to carry and handle a whole lot just yet.
There were a lot of Polish there! Many of the senior classes had more than 10-12 rabbits in each, which is plenty for Polish! My black senior buck didn’t do well in his huge class, being out of condition compared to the other nice rabbits there. My broken does only had each other to compete against in their class - and the judge did not pick the one I thought would do well at this show!
My chocolate doe who just turned senior, won her large class and then won Best of Breed! I was surprised by this one - she’s got a very nice body and nice coat to her, but to me, her head is not as nice as my pretty little brokens’ heads. But I am not a judge……and I am fairly new to this breed.
Funny thing about this doe is that twice she was not going to be shown: I originally planned to take my black senior doe to this show, but she seemed a little ‘off’ in the morning, so I grabbed this chocolate doe instead, and the second time was when I became so tired around 1 pm, that I came close to scratching my chocolate doe so I could leave for home……… but I stayed and this is the doe that won!
The Polish breeders here in Wisconsin are the best I’ve met. Every single one has been so nice and helpful - and I noticed so many of them offering assistance, advice and encouragement to the youth that participated in yesterday’s show. This in itself is very refreshing to me- everyone works as a true team to better the Polish in our area!
If you are pondering what breed to begin with, you can’t go wrong with the Polish - this small breed is delightful to handle and breed, and in Wisconsin you can get quality stock readily and plenty of good advice to go along with! You will only encounter encouragement showing against the other Polish breeders around here - the Polish are just a very nice breed of rabbit!
Cathy
