Black Giant Angora Presentation

Black Giants are at their second try of the first showing.   At the 2018 convention, the presentation was pulled due to the death of one senior buck.  

For the first showing, it's required to have 8 rabbits: 2 senior bucks, 2 senior does, 2 junior bucks and 2 junior does.

These 3 photos show the 6 of the 8 rabbits.

The 8 rabbits are on table 94.

Judges Phil, Bruce and Cathy are weighing one of the presentation black Giant Angora.

Colleen is at the table listening to the Standard Committee members' comments: fail.   This is the second try of the first showing, with the verdict of fail, the COD (Certificate of Development) ends.    The bad news is that until there is another team takes on this project, the black Giant Angora project ends at this moment.   The good news is that there is a COD out for chestnut Giant Angora that will be eligible for presentation in 2021.   Sooner or later the dream of having colored Giant Angora will come true.

Broken English Angora Presentation - ARBA Standard Committee

The official presentation were scheduled for Tuesday, the broken Satin Angora, broken English Angora and black Giant Angora were in the last group.  The rabbits were loaded to the table waiting for the Standard Committee members to have their lunch behind the judging tables.    The 12 broken English Angora are on table 88.

After lunch, the Standard Committee members start with weighing all the presentation rabbits.  On the left is Briony and left is Roger.

Joining in Briony and Roger is Paul.  All members on the committee are ARBA licensed judges.

Members working.

Nichole was called in to confer with the Standard Committee members.  Unfortunately it was not what we expected or wanted to hear: fail.  Why?  One rabbit had one sneeze during the examination, was ruled as having a “cold" thus disqualified and that failed the entire presentation.   Honestly, 5 people including myself examined all the rabbits, there was no sign of any "cold", no rabbit sneezed.   Other than being very unlucky, I don't know what else to say.    By the way, the verdict is not challengeable.   This presentation is the first try of the second showing, there is another chance next year.    Hopefully nothing unlucky happens.

Broken English Angora Presentation - Pre-checking

We have read about the super pass of the broken Satin Angora, what happened to the broken English Angora?

Nichole on the left is the team leader and Debbie one of the members.  They are putting the broken English Angora on the table for pre-checking.    

There are 14 on the table, 12 are needed for presentation: 2 senior bucks, 2 senior does and 8 of any combination.   

Eric along with 4 others check the 14 broken English Angora to select 12.

Watching on the other side of the table are Pattee, Mary Jo, Josee and her hubby.

Eric discussing with the three team members Debbie left of Eric, Nichole in the middle and Lynn on the right.  There is a 4th member Bri who is not present at the convention.    In the background are three others working, Betty is behind the camera and also checking.

After the 12 are selected, Lynn and Nichole mark on their ears and their paper work.
All 14 are very nice, the 12 selected are all free of disqualification and of good quality.  What happened during the presentation?   Stay tuned.

Is that You? Connor

At the Reno ARBA convention, a handsome young man walks to Betty, "Betty, I made it.   Mom said I have to come see you".   OK, who is this?  Searching and searching my brain, could it be Connor?  

That was Connor in 2015 at 10 years old; at the 2015 ARBA convention at Portland, Connor asked for a picture taken with Betty and her rabbit.

In the 2016 ARBA convention at San Diego, Connor's English Angora won the Group, see photo below.  

Connor's black English Angora junior doe was the Group 3 winner in 2016.

We haven't seen Connor for three years.  Three years is nothing for an adult but three years make a world of difference for a youth.   In 2016  Connor was less than 5-foot tall.  Now....

... how tall does Connor look in 2019? 5'8"?

Connor's mom Karen has written a long essay about Connor's venture into English Angora, read it here:

https://ncag.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-winner-of-nwara-specialty-show-is.html

Barn Cleaning 2019 - Part 2

Some more stacks to be power washed.

The most wonderful hubby in the world power washing the cages.

The barn is reasonable dried, some of the stackers are moved into the barn.   If you wonder what's the dirt area in the front, it is a tree stump.   There used to be a tree inside the barn; when the barn was built in mid 1980s, the roof was built around the tree.   Due to the wind, the tree moved from side to side and did too much damage to the roof and was eventually cut down.   

All stackers are in the barn.

At the end of the third day, the blinds are back in place, rabbits are returned to their own condos after three days and two nights in their carriers.   They are happy, mama Betty is happy.

The carriers are full of poops and pees produced during the 3-day 2-night stay.   It's late in the night, as Scarlet O'hara said at the end of the "Gone with the Wind", "After all, tomorrow is another day": these carriers can wait til tomorrow.

Barn Cleaning 2019, Part 1

Rabbits in their carriers in our garage, what else, it's the annual barn cleaning time.   

Feeders washed and dried.

Trays waiting to be washed.

Dirty stacks to be power washed.   Look at the ground, see how much poops are removed from the cages.

Barn is almost ready for power washing, just one more stack on the left to be removed.

Power washing of the interior.

More power washing of the exterior.

Power washing done, the barn needs to be dried overnight.

It took two days to get to this point; yes, we are getting slower as years go by.     

Debbie's English Angora Wins Best In Show in GA

Debbie drives a long way from NC to GA for the big show weekend at Perry, GA on Saturday November 16, 2019.  It certainly worth her drive, her English Angora black doe receives the honor of all breed Best In Show in show B from judge Ron Riddle of IN.

The gorgeous English Angora black doe's name is HFH Black Widow, this picture was taken when she was about 5 months old, already a beauty.