May 27 is the St. Melangell Day, Patron Saint of Rabbits

This is a beautiful art piece of St. Melangell, the patron saint of rabbits.   It piques my interest in who is St. Melangell and what's the background story to have made her a patron saint of rabbits.

 

According to the Catholicreadings.org website:

"St Melangell, also known as Monacella, was a princess and anchoress in Powys, Wales. One day when prince Brochwel of Powys was hunting a hare, it ran and went to Melangell who shielded it inside her cloak.

The prince was amazed by her courage and sanctity and he gave her the valley to become her sanctuary. She founded a small religious community there and became its abbess. Later on, a church was built on that site which today hosts many retreats."

There are more images of St. Melangell with rabbits, here are some examples that are included in the website of St. Melangell: May 27 | saints-feast-family (saintsfeastfamily.com)

There are photos of the St. Melangell church in Wales that has stone curved rabbits on the wall.  

 

 

Open Top Winners at San Jose

The Santa Clara County Stempede show consists of triple shows. 

In open show A, judge Chris Zemny picks Giffen Harrah's Mini Rex as the Best In Show and Pattee Singer's French Angora as the Reserve In Show.

In show B, judge Alysia Call picks Griffen's Havana as the Best In Show and Griffin's Mini Rex and the Reserve In Show.  Griffen certainly has a busy day, he is also the show secretary.

Show C winner is Lauralee Erbe's Mini Satin, the judge is Kate Smith.  Reserve In Show is a Holland Lop shown by Nichole and Deb but they decided to go on the road immediately after the show instead of have photos taken.

 

Showroom Scenes at San Jose

The Santa Clara County Stempede show is held at the Expo Hall at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds.

The building is huge, the facility is excellent.   The floor is smooth, has climate control, lots lots of space.

In addition to lots of rabbits, there are also a good number of cavies in the show.  

Betty and Pattee take over an area that is close to exit, rest room, power outlets and even got a table provided by the fair.   Just perfect.

What is this, this is not a rabbit!  Well, the building is so huge that a part of it is used for large animal shows.   By just walking a few steps, we got to see cows, pigs, lambs and goats.   Will post a few photos of the large animals a bit later.

 

French Angora Patience Wins Reserve In Show at San Jose

The Santa Clara County Stampede show is held on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at San Jose, CA.

Pattee brought one rabbit to the Santa Clara County Stampede show, guess what, she wins the show A  Reserve In Show.

Patience just made 5 months old, a junior doe, but she is already a beauty.

Patience is named Patience because she is specially bred for Pattee by Betty, it took quite a while to get the litter and ready to go home with Pattee.   All involved had to have patience to wait for her arrival.  This is only her second time out to a show, she's now a Reserve In Show winner.  This is also Pattee's first Reserve In Show in a rabbit show. 

Show A breed judging, Patience wins over her mama Simone.

Patience is sitting with her BOB ribbon.

 

More Angora National Winners

Angora National was held in Wyoming on May 20, 2023.  None of the CA Angora breeders participated, we were at the Santa Clara County Stempede show at San Jose on the same day.  Yesterday we posted the photos of open French Angora and open Satin Angora winners, thanks to Rachel's report.  Casey found some more winners' photos from the NARBC facebook.   We are sharing them here.  Photo credit goes to NARBC.

Youth Satin Angora BOB and Best In Show, Katelyn Will. 

Youth English Angora BOB, Daisee McClellan.

Youth French Angora BOB, Katelyn Will.

Youth BOB Giant Angora, Liam White.

Open English Angora BOB, Debby Furlong.

Open Giant Angora BOB, Jessica Taliaferro.

Open Best In Show is French Angora by Rachel Penterman and open Satin Angora BOB is Laurie Penterman.   Please see photos from yesterday's post.

 

Rachel’s French Angora “Salt” Wins Angora National

The 2023 Angora National was held on Saturday, May 20 at Cheyanne, WY.  The Best In Show is Rachel Penterman's white French Angora doe "Salt", judged by Eric Stewart.   Rachel’s French Angora doe also won double open Best In Show in the two all breed shows held on the same day.  

 

Rachel has an impressive list of entries.  After a long trip from Wisconsin to Wyoming, she wheels in her French Angora.  

The French Angora BOV colored and BOV white are both Rachel's, judge Eric is picking the BOB from the two finalists.  Watching the judging is Robin Olson.  

The BOB Satin Angora goes to Laurie Pennterman's rabbit.  If you wonder about the same last name, Laurie is Rachel's mom!   It's a family tradition to breed and show top winners.  

Angora Yarns Hard to Resist

Mom, do you have to tempt me?

We love the Angora yarns, so soft, ....

... so much fun.

 

What do you have inside my kitty bag?  For me?

I got it, pretty green Angora yarn.

Thank you mom, my new toy.

I will treasure it, bye....