4-H Youth Compete in Annual Spring Rabbit Show

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (April 24, 2024) -- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s 4-H Youth Development Program held their Annual Spring Show for youth in the Rabbit Project on Saturday, March 2nd, 2024, at the Maple Springs Fire Hall in Bemus Point. The show was organized by volunteers on the 4-H Rabbit Project Advisory Committee. There were a total of 28 youth and 52 rabbits in attendance. Mike Ross judged the breed show. Youth exhibited various breeds of rabbits, and each breed competed for the Best of Breed (BOB) and Best of Opposite Sex (BOS), awarded to the best rabbit of the opposite sex from the Best of Breed. Best in Show award went to Brogan Nickerson and his Mini Rex Buck. Reserve in Show award went to Megan Yokom and her Netherland Dwarf Buck.

The winners for Best of Breed were:

Britannia Petite – Edward Light

Champagne D’argente – Kristen Heath

Dutch – Lexus Eschenbach

English Lop – Lexus Eschenbach

Holland Lop – Kristen Heath

Jersey Wooley – Presley Martell

Mini Lop – Ida Jones

Mini Rex – Brogan Nickerson – BEST IN SHOW

Netherland Dwarf – Megan Yokom – RESERVE IN SHOW

Rex- Paige Winton

Pet Class – Madalyn Reading

The winners for Best Opposite Sex were:

Britannia Petite – Edward Light

Dutch – Lexus Eschenbach

Holland Lop – Bryce Skarzenski

Mini Lop – Onna Warner

Mini Rex – Kierdan Nickerson

Netherland Dwarf – Megan Yokom

Netherland Dwarf – Megan Yokom – RESERVE IN SHOW

Rex- Paige Winton

Pet Class – Madalyn Reading

The winners for Best Opposite Sex were:

Britannia Petite – Edward Light

Dutch – Lexus Eschenbach

Holland Lop – Bryce Skarzenski

Mini Lop – Onna Warner

Mini Rex – Kierdan Nickerson

Netherland Dwarf – Megan Yokom

In addition to the breed show, youth had the opportunity to compete in showmanship events to expand their rabbit handling skills and overall knowledge of the species. Showmanship requires youth to maintain control of their rabbit and have a broad knowledge of anatomy and breed standards. This year’s overall Grand Champion was Luisa Smith and Reserve Champion was Madalyn Reading.

Top Showmanship Awards were awarded to:

1st Year Junior Grand Champion Showman – Megan Yokom

1st Year Junior Reserve Champion Showman – Onna Warner

Junior Grand Champion Showman – Emelia Catanese

Junior Reserve Champion Showman – Gavin LeBarron

1st Year Senior Grand Champion Showman – Kierdan Nickerson

Senior Grand Champion Showman – Luisa Smith

Senior Reserve Champion Showman – Madalyn Reading

The 4-H Rabbit Project also had 5 Cloverbud youths participate in the Spring Show. Cloverbuds are youth ages 5-8 years old that get the opportunity to be involved in noncompetitive group activities. Cloverbuds were able to “show and tell” their rabbits to the judge.

Cloverbuds who participated were:

Lu Jones

John Milliman

Brayden Tarnowski

Wyatt Winton

Lucas Yokom

Everyone did an amazing job! Congratulations to these youth on another successful Spring Show!

The 4-H Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua). CCE-Chautauqua is a subordinate governmental agency with an educational mission that operates under a form of organization and administration approved by Cornell University as agent for the State of New York. It is tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The association is part of the national cooperative extension system, an educational partnership between County, State, and Federal governments. As New York’s land grant university Cornell administers the system in this state. Each Cornell Cooperative Extension association is an independent employer that is governed by an elected Board of Directors with general oversight from Cornell. All associations work to meet the needs of the counties in which they are located as well as state and national goals. For more information, call 716-664-9502 or visit our website at www.cce.cornell.edu/chautauqua. Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities.

Last updated April 24, 2024