‘Amazing’ and ‘cute’
Lyon County 4-H club hosts annual rabbit show
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MARSHALL -- It turned out to be unfortunate timing for 12-year-old Becca Roberts to show off her senior rabbit this year.
Her rabbit had been molting and going blind before the competition started. She was unfazed and ready to show off her next rabbit in the junior competition.
"I hope at least my junior gets a higher one because she’s not really molting or anything." Roberts said.
The Lyon County 4-H club hosted its annual rabbit show at the Lyon County Fairgrounds on Tuesday. Winners advance to the Minnesota State Fair.
Tuesday’s rabbit showing drew nearly 100 people -- many of them family members and friends. Tattyana Rykhus came out to support her friend in the show. She said it was her first time attending a rabbit show.
"Seeing all the different kinds of rabbits is just amazing," Rykhus said. "They're very cute."
Before the official event and judging began, 4-H parent supervisor Roxanne Boerboom explained that 4-H lets the "Clover Buds" or third-graders and below show off rabbits first. She said the event is framed differently than the other events, with a focus on education over competition.
"He (The Judge) teaches them more things on the animal because these are just little kids that are just trying to get into the project." Boerboom said.
After the Clover Buds show off, the real competition begins. According to Boerboom, the judging is split into three classes: Small breed rabbits, large breed rabbits and market rabbits--mostly the fryer breed--who are raised for consumption.
Boerboom said the 4-Hers are judged mainly on their showmanship, or what they know about their rabbits -- everything from the fur colors, their breeds, to the number of teeth indicating birthdays, to diet.
"They’re getting quizzed on their rabbits. Whatever rabbit they have," Boerboom said. "So if they have a Dutch, they should know a lot about that Dutch."
15-year-old Kira Whitner knew a lot about her rabbit. She won first place in the six classes of the large breed section. She credits her first place to her many months breeding other rabbits to curate a strong form for her winner.
“Just a really good thick loin and strong shoulders on my rabbit.” Whitner said.
Her first place in Lyon County means she gets to go to the state fair next year. She said she’s not nervous at all, and has shown off rabbits many times before.
Those who didn’t win it all still had fun at the event. 10-year-old Stetson Tiede has been competing since he turned 7, and plans to stay with it until they won’t let him participate anymore.
"I like to compete." Tiede said.