A Rabbit Stained Glass Art

One of the special features of Betty's newly remodeled barn is a rabbit stained glass art mounted close to the ceiling that catches the morning sun.

This rabbit stained glass art has its special place in Betty's show history.

This is the prize for the Best In Show won by tort doe Chu's Erica in an open all breed show. It was Betty's first Best In Show win. In December 1985, Northern California Rabbit Breeders Association (NCRBA) held its annual Christmas show at Cal Expo in Sacramento; there were 1800 rabbits in the show and Cindy Wickizer was the judge who picked Chu's Erica as the Best In Show.

NCRBA is still active and still holds the annual Christmas show in December, while the location has changed to Yuba City. Cindy Wickizer is the current ARBA president.

At the top, the picture in the picture is Betty and Erica with the stained glass prize. Yes, that was Betty 21 years ago. Erica is no longer with us, but the stained glass art and the tree behind Betty are still around. The trophies behind the picture are some of the other Best In Show prizes that Betty's rabbits won after that first win.

Some of our readers may wonder why Erica was so small comparing to the Best In Show rabbits today. The difference is due to the breed improvement and the blower. Angora breeders did not know to use a blower as a grooming tool until in the 1989 ARBA convention in Tulsa OK when Susan Conley demonstrated the benefit of a blower. A blower helps to keep the show coats untangled and to reach more length. Prior to 1989, a slicker brush and a comb were the only tools that we had.

The second picture shows that the rabbit stained glass is now a part of Betty's barn. It faces the east and catches the sun every morning.