Northern California Angora Guild: 3/6/22

Sunday Show B Angora Judging at Cal State

Sunday February 27, 2022 Cal State Convention is a continuation of the Saturday show, thus the first show of the day is show B.

The Angora judge for show B is Michelle Wojcik of WI. On the table are the English Angora white variety.

Judge Michelle's partner does all the clerking.

The second place English Angora white senior doe.

The first place English Angora white senior doe and the BOV.

One of the short coated English Angora colored senior bucks.

One of the English Angora colored senior does.

Colored senior doe Chu's Augustina won English Angora BOB in show B. Paul Fickas took a photo of Betty and Augustina.

Judge Michelle is examining a French Angora colored senior doe.

The BOB winner of the French Angora is the white senior doe.

For a list of winners, go to:

NCAG Show Results: February 27, 2022 Angora Showing at Merced (angorashowresults.blogspot.com)

Sunday Morning Tragedy at Cal State

What are these? These are blood drops on the ground at the Merced fairgrounds on Sunday morning, February 27, 2022.

As we can see that Merced fairgrounds venue is an open barn. There are two gates on the short sides but the two long sides do not have any closures. Why are we talking about the structure of the venue and why show a photo of blood drops?

The Cal State Convention shows were spread into two days. Saturday included one open show, one youth show and many specialty shows. Sunday had two open and two youth shows. Many kept their rabbits in the open barn overnight. Between 3 am and 5 am, dog or dogs got into the barn and killed many rabbits; some reported over 30 some reported in the teens. I don't have an exact number but the fact is that rabbit lives were lost between Saturday after the shows ended and before the shows started again on Sunday morning. When I arrived on Sunday morning, I heard the horror but did not see any aftermath. The only visible evidences were very upset people and blood drops on the ground.

Normally our blog tries not to include any negative happenings. I decided to report this case because it's a lesson learned. No blame is put on the club, definitely no blame is put on the victims who suffered loses. We feel the deepest sympathy for those who lost their beloved rabbits. Here we are offering some thoughts to help avoid future tragedies.

For the club,
(a) An open barn is a great venue for one-day shows, especially during the double pandemic of COVID and RHDV. The abundance of air circulation alleviates the fear of contracting the horrible viruses.
(b) If there is no other choices of a venue than an open barn, maybe the show days should be shortened to one day.
(c) If it has to be a two-day show, maybe one or more human should actually sleep inside the barn alongside the rabbits to be a true guardian.

For the exhibitors and rabbit lovers,
(a) Think hard about whether you wish to show both days. Would one-day satisfy your desire for showing?
(b) If you wish to show both days, could you pack up and take the rabbits with you to the hotel or to go home if your home is not too far away?
(c) If you wish to show both days but cannot take the rabbits home or to the hotel, could you use a table or cage stands to elevate the carriers with rabbits inside? Could you cover up the rabbit carriers with a sheet and weigh the sheet down? This is analogous to installing locks and video monitors at your home, the elevation of the carriers and usage of cover sheets provide a barrier to a dog/animal attack. Though these methods do not guarantee a total protection of the rabbits, they make the attack more difficult.

The above are some thoughts and suggestions, definitely it's not placing blame on either the club or those who lost rabbits. If you wonder whether the wool breed exhibitors suffer any loss, we are very fortunate that all our wool babies are safe. Casey, Pattee and Carolyn only showed on Saturday, they took all their animals home when the Saturday shows were done. Carol and I (Betty) both took our rabbits home after the show on Saturday then returned on Sunday with our rabbits. We had our equipment in the showroom on the stands, there was no sign of any disturbance.

Young Ladies Showing Angoras at Cal State

Stephanie has been active in rabbits since she was a youth. She is now showing English Angora in open but she is still active in youth activities. As matter of fact, she is in charge of the youth contests.

Stephanie is announcing the youth contest winners.

Stephanie is giving out prizes to a youth contestant.

Here are some of the youth contest winners.

Emily is from the south so we don't see her often. She shows Satin Angora. She wants to experience different breed so that she will be prepared when she takes test to be a registrar and a judge in the future.

Emily and her mom. For a youth to be able to actively participate in rabbit shows, a mom's support is vital.

Celebrating Imari's 4th Birthday

On March 9, 2018, a litter of 3 girls and 1 boy were born at Betty's place.

In June 2018, Imari goes from Betty to her adoptive mama Carolyn.

Imari is a youngster in this photo, enjoying her indoor life.

Imari enjoys lots of attention from her mama Carolyn.

Imari even has a title of "Princess Imari".

Today is Imari's 4th birthday.

A special photo shot for the birthday girl.

Debbie's English Angora Wins Best In Show Again

Clarice is a gorgeous English Angora doe, the winningest of all Debbie's rabbits.

Debbie went to the huge Georgia show with Clarice and show under judge Don Mersiovsky for the first time, judge Mersiovsky was so impressed and awarded Clarice the open Best In Show on Saturday, March 5, 2022.

Clarice also won specialty Best In Show twice on Sunday, March 6, 2022. We all recognize who the judge is, our own Eric Stewart, the master of French Angora. No photo taken in the other specialty show.

Cal State Best In Show Judging on Saturday

Judge Cole from ND is the show A Best In Show judge.

The English Angora BOB and French Angora BOB are on the end of the table. The Satin Angora BOB is in the middle that is not shown in this photo.

Lots of spectators.

From inside the judging area.

The Best In Show goes to a Mini Lop and Reserve In Show to a Havana.

NCAG Specialty French Angora and Satin Angora Judging

Here are some of the French Angora in the specialty show. Pattee is the mama of the tort doe in the middle. Pattee has been active in cavies, this is the first time she's back showing rabbits in 8 months.