JAMESTOWN, N.Y. — Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s 4-H Youth Development Program held a show for youth in the rabbit project on Saturday, March 25th, 2023, at the Maple Springs Fire Hall in Bemus Point. The show was organized by volunteers on the 4-H Rabbit Project Advisory Committee. In addition to the breed show, youth had the opportunity to partake in showmanship events to expand their rabbit handling skills and overall knowledge of the species. We had 26 youth and a total of 49 rabbits in attendance. Karen Fischer judged the breed show. Youth exhibited various breeds of rabbits, and each breed competed for the Best of Breed (BOB) and Best of Opposite Sex, (awarded to the best rabbit of the opposite sex from the Best of Breed).
The winners for BOB were:
Britannia Petite – Edward Light
Cinnamon – Alex Southworth
Dutch – Lexus Eschenbach
English Lop – Lexus Eschenbach
Flemish Giant – Paige Winton
American Fuzzy Lop – Alex Southworth
Harlequin – Madalyn Reading
Holland Lop – Gavin LeBarron
Jersey Wooley – Emilee Ayers
Lionhead – Alex Southworth
Mini Lop – Everett LeBarron – BEST IN SHOW
Mini Satin – Katie King
Mini Rex – Luisa Smith – BEST IN RESERVE
Netherland Dwarf – Jasper Eschenbach
Polish – Ida Jones
Rex- Paige Winton
Satin Angora – Madalyn Reading
Tan – Alex Southworth
With the Best Opposite Sex were:
Britannia Petite – Edward Light
Dutch – Lexus Ayers
Holland Lop – Edward Light
English Lop – Lexus Eschenbach
Mini Rex – Emelia Cantanese
Netherland Dwarf – Lexus Eschenbach
In addition to the breed show, showmanship is a big part of this event. Showmanship requires youth to maintain control of their rabbit and have a broad knowledge of anatomy and breed standards. We had a fierce competition. In her first year showing, Lexus Ayers took home the 1st Year Junior Grand Champion prize. After showing as a Cloverbud, Paige Winton showed us her skills and took home the 1st Year Junior Reserve Champion prize. Gavin LeBarron won the Junior Grand Champion prize and Emelia Cantanese won Junior Reserve Champion. After a tie breaker for first place, which came down to one question, Lexus Eschenbach went home with Senior Grand Champion and Madalyn Reading came in close behind with Senior Reserve Champion. Everyone did an amazing job! Congratulations to these youth on another successful Spring Show!
Showmanship
1st Year Junior Grand Champion Showman – Lexus Ayers
1st Year Junior Reserve Champion Showman – Paige Winton
Junior Grand Champion Showman – Gavin LeBarron
Junior Reserve Champion Showman – Emelia Cantanese
Senior Grand Champion Showman – Lexus Eschenbach
Senior Reserve Champion Showman – Madalyn Reading
–Lindsey Crisanti, 4-H Program Lead Educator
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County
