Doggie Training at the Angora Camp

When the Angora people are setting up the "Angora Camp" at Stockton, there are some serious doggie training going on. Annie, the pampered Pomeranian, usually lives inside Doreen's jacket (see January 31 post).

On the day of Stockton, her breeder mom Judy wants to give her some proper show dog training, requiring her to walk with her four paws. For most of us who have never seen Annie's paws touching the ground, this is a new experience. Annie does not want to walk, breeder mom Judy insists that a show dog has to walk properly. Owner dad Joey and mom are ready to have a heart attack seeing Annie's paws on the ground.

Amazingly, after about 15 minutes and many "four on the ground" commands from breeder mom Judy, Annie is walking properly!

What a nice experience to start the day!

French Angora Judging

French Angora breeders came out en mass at the Stockton show. It is unusual to see the number of French Angora being greater than English Angora. French Angora breeders, great job.

In the top photo, Bruce is making comments on the beautiful colored doe with Tracy clerking in show A. In the second photo, the French Angora breeders are listening to the judge's comments.

Show B Judy judged French Angora.

Carol won BOB in both show A and show B with her colored senior doe.

There were a small number of Satin Angora shown. Tracy won Best of Breed with her beautiful white junior doe.

Emilia Wins All Breed Best In Show Again

Big Valley RA always puts on the best and biggest shows in California, especially the spring shows in February. Exhibitors come from all over the west to show on this day. The shows on Saturday is no exception, there were 18 judges doing full loads of rabbits and cavies.

It's such an honor for Chu's Emilia to win the open all breed Best In Show again in both show A and show B.

Show A Best In Show judges were Jamie from So. CA and Jeff from WA. Neither judges had seen Emilia prior to the moment when the Best In Show judging started. Reserve In Show was a Mini Rex. The second photo from left to right is Jamie, Betty with Emilia and Jeff.

In Show B, Judy from WA and Joey from So. CA also picked Emilia as Best In Show. Both Joey and Judy had seen Emilia before the Best In Show time. The third picture probably look like a repeat from two weeks ago in Santa Rosa with Chris's Holland Lop as Reserve In Show. Judy judged all the Angora prior to the Best In Show judging.

Emilia is truly a beautiful rabbit!

More photos and report to come.

Bruce and Sharon

Bruce may not be the oldest but definitely the most senior judge in CA based on the number of years actively judging rabbits. Sharon is the junior judge in their house but for sure not junior in the show circuit. They are kind, gentle and knowledgeable, both are experienced and well respected by exhibitors and other judges. In the shows in Chico, Sharon judged Angora. In the top photo, Sharon is examining the chocolate French Angora with Carol taking down her remarks. In the second photo, Bruce is judging a Satin.

It's always nice to see both of them in shows.

Judy and Larry

Those who have been in the show circuit in Northern California all know Judy and Larry, the owners of Carnahan Mfg. They started as 4-H parents over 30 years ago, taking their children to shows. Their rabbits, especially Tan, won Best In Show or Reserve In Show on a regular basis. Their son Derek became one of the youngest judges in the 80s. They helped other exhibitors in making carriers for shows initially. Due to their meticulous work and attention to details, their products were in such high demand that Larry quit his day job and started the Carnahan Mfg full time. Judy takes care of the business details and Larry can make anything to the specification asked by buyers. The cages are sturdy, well made with straight corners and smooth edges. It is a joy to use their equipment.

Derek is no longer in the rabbit show circuit, but once a while he still comes to visit. From a teenage judge to a matured father of two, Derek has come a long way. Over the years, Judy and Larry also make good friends with all the exhibitors. We look forward to many years of association with Judy and Larry.

Manuel and Linda

We have read and seen Manuel's top notch judging in the previous posts. Here in the lower photo, Manuel is examining the rear of a white French Angora in the Chico show. As usual, he is thorough but gentle, he did a great job.

We were able to snap a photo of Manuel with his lovely wife and best friend Linda in the Santa Rosa show. Manuel and Linda are both members of the club, Sonoma Marin Rabbit Association, that put on the show. When Manuel was judging, Linda worked as the hospitality chair tending to the needs of judges and others. Both helped set up and tear down of the show equipment and other tasks. Thanks, Manuel and Linda for your hard work. We all had a wonderful day.