4-H Rabbit Youth Hopping Into Spring With Their Annual Show

JAMESTOWN, NEW YORK (April 13, 2023) -- Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County’s 4-H Youth Development Program held a show for youth in the rabbit project on Saturday, March 25th, 2023, at the Maple Springs Fire Hall in Bemus Point. The show was organized by volunteers on the 4-H Rabbit Project Advisory Committee. In addition to the breed show, youth had the opportunity to partake in showmanship events to expand their rabbit handling skills and overall knowledge of the species. We had 26 youth and a total of 49 rabbits in attendance. Karen Fischer 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, (awarded to the best rabbit of the opposite sex from the Best of Breed).

The winners for BOB were:

Britannia Petite – Edward Light

Cinnamon – Alex Southworth

Dutch – Lexus Eschenbach

English Lop – Lexus Eschenbach

Flemish Giant – Paige Winton

American Fuzzy Lop – Alex Southworth

Harlequin – Madalyn Reading

Holland Lop - Gavin LeBarron

Jersey Wooley – Emilee Ayers

Lionhead – Alex Southworth

Mini Lop – Everett LeBarron – BEST IN SHOW

Mini Satin – Katie King

Mini Rex – Luisa Smith – BEST IN RESERVE

Netherland Dwarf – Jasper Eschenbach

Polish – Ida Jones

Rex- Paige Winton

Satin Angora – Madalyn Reading

Tan – Alex Southworth

With the Best Opposite Sex were:

Britannia Petite – Edward Light

Dutch – Lexus Ayers

Holland Lop – Edward Light

English Lop – Lexus Eschenbach

Mini Rex – Emelia Cantanese

Netherland Dwarf – Lexus Eschenbach

In addition to the breed show, showmanship is a big part of this event. Showmanship requires youth to maintain control of their rabbit and have a broad knowledge of anatomy and breed standards. We had a fierce competition. In her first year showing, Lexus Ayers took home the 1st Year Junior Grand Champion prize. After showing as a Cloverbud, Paige Winton showed us her skills and took home the 1st Year Junior Reserve Champion prize. Gavin LeBarron won the Junior Grand Champion prize and Emelia Cantanese won Junior Reserve Champion. After a tie breaker for first place, which came down to one question, Lexus Eschenbach went home with Senior Grand Champion and Madalyn Reading came in close behind with Senior Reserve Champion. Everyone did an amazing job! Congratulations to these youth on another successful Spring Show!

Showmanship

1st Year Junior Grand Champion Showman – Lexus Ayers

1st Year Junior Reserve Champion Showman – Paige Winton

Junior Grand Champion Showman – Gavin LeBarron

Junior Reserve Champion Showman – Emelia Cantanese

Senior Grand Champion Showman – Lexus Eschenbach

Senior Reserve Champion Showman – Madalyn Reading

Photo Caption: From left: Luisa Smith with her Best in Reserve Rabbit, The Judge Karen Fischer, and Everett LeBarron with his Best in Show Rabbit.

The 4-H Youth Development Program is one of many programs offered by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Chautauqua County (CCE-Chautauqua). CCE-Chautauqua is a community based educational organization, affiliated with Cornell University, Chautauqua County Government, the NYS SUNY system, and the federal government through the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. 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 13, 2023