I want to attend a show. How do I find out where one is?
Finding a show is the easiest part of showing once you know where to look! Go to https://www.arba.net/showsSearch.php and find the shows listed for your state. I highly recommend that the first show you attend is spent visiting and learning, not showing your bunny. Quiz breeders (make sure they're not busy, first!) to find out what the ideal is for the breed you're interested in and what the disqualifications are. You may want to bring your bunny so others can tell you if it is show quality. Ask how to properly groom your rabbit. Find out how to enter a rabbit and how the show routine works.
How do I enter a show?
The link listed above will give the date of the show, it's location, the name of the club hosting the show, and the show secretary's contact info. The secretary is the person who will accept your entry to the show. He or she will need your name, address, phone number and email address, as well as whether you are showing in Open (for adults) or Youth (for ages 18 and under). Then you will list your breed, the color or color group, it's age class (small breeds are Senior & Junior, larger breeds are Senior, Intermediate & Junior), its sex and the animal's ear number. If the show is "pre-entry" you'll need to supply this info by a deadline, usually the Wednesday or thereabouts before the show occurs. For "day-of-entry" shows you'll give all this information to the secretary on the morning of the show. Let the secretary know you are new so she can help you as needed.
What do you mean "ear number?"
To be shown all rabbits must have a legible identifying tattoo in their left ear. If your bunny needs a tattoo and you don't have a tattoo kit yet, ask for help. You could check out the membership list on this page and ask someone nearby to tattoo your rabbit for you. If you have a FB account, there are many thriving groups focusing on rabbit shows for every state. People in these groups can help in a variety of ways, including finding someone to tattoo your rabbit for you.
What do I need to bring to the show?
The primary item (after your rabbit, of course) is a suitable transport carrier. The transport carrier looks like a tiny cage and used to keep your rabbit contained traveling to, and during, the show. You'll want the cage to be large enough for the bunny to easily turn around and to rest but not so large that the rabbit can leap and possibly hurt itself if startled. For small breeds the carrier may be only 8" x 10" or slightly larger. While this cage is by no means large enough for a bunny to live in, the small size is ideal for the safety of your animal while away from home.
You'll also want to bring a water bottle or small bowl for water. Bring a jug of your own water from home; sometimes the differing flavor of the water from a strange municipality will deter your bunny from drinking. Hay or pellets may or may not be eaten by your bunny during the show but it is a good idea to offer it.
Bring any grooming tools you may need. These will vary from breed to breed. A Mini Rex may need a lint roller or pumice stone to make their coat look its best. A wool animal might want a slicker brush and possibly a spray bottle of water. For all breeds baby wipes and/or paper towels are invaluable for a variety of messes. If you don't know what you need, bring whatever you think necessary. At the show you can learn from others what you'll want to remember for next time and what you can leave at home.
I'm at the show. Now what?
The fun begins!! First, find a place to put your bunny and your gear for the day. Once it has its food and water locate where the show secretary is set up. Let her know who you are and pay your entry fee. She will present you with a entry form containing your entry information. Look it over for mistakes and, if you find any, let her know. The time between this check-in and the start of judging can be spent grooming your animal for the show.
Each show is set up differently. Some clubs will place their judging tables along the edges of the show hall while other place the tables in the middle. Regardless, all tables will be labeled with the judge's name and which breeds that particular judge will evaluate. Often someone will call out what breed need to be brought up when the judge is ready for them but the show hall can be busy and loud. To make sure you don't miss the judging of your breed you'll want to keep a casual eye on what breed the judge is working on so you don't miss putting your rabbit up on the table. When it's time for your rabbit to be evaluated, take him up to the judge's table and place it in one of the holes available. The judge will then take the rabbit out, check it for health, DQs and for breed conformity. If it is awarded 1st place it will next be considered for Best in Class and/or Group and, finally, for Best of Breed. The judge will tell you if the rabbit has been judged but isn't eligible for further awards and can be removed from the table. At the end of the show all Best of Breed winners are called back to the judging table and one lucky, lovely rabbit will win Best in Show. Another rabbit will win Best Reserve in Show and often times the judge will mention a few Honorable Mentions.
That's it! A show can be very confusing and discombobulating at first but after you've weathered a few you'll feel like a pro. Until then, accept that you'll make mistakes and that's ok. Nobody expects you to do everything perfectly at first and, once they know you're new to everything, many will be more than happy to answer questions and otherwise help. Relax, enjoy yourself and learn as much as you can!
How to enter a show