Last month, in the Farm Show Complex, in Harrisburg PA, over 22,000 rabbits, and 2,000 exhibitors gathered to take part in the biggest rabbit show in the country. People as far away as Washington, Oregon, and even Canada, gathered to visit fellow rabbit friends, buy and sell rabbits that they would not be able to buy otherwise (to far away), and most importantly, to show their rabbits! with class sizes ranging from 20 to 200, there is quite a lot of competition. Everyone wants the same thing, the fibber cup, awarded to the best in show rabbit.
This is one of the few shows that every recognized ARBA breed, is shown. If a breed has less than 25 entries, over the course of 5 years, then it will no longer be considered a ARBA recognized breed. If one is considering a new breed, this is the place to do it! Browse around, visit all the breeds, and look for rabbits for sale.
Along with the Recognized breeds, at this show there are also many un recognized breeds. These breeders are going through a very time consuming, long task, to have their new breed, or color of an existing breed, recognized by the ARBA. The breeds have to be presented at a minimum of 3 consecutive conventions, that is if they pass the showing every time, to be considered a ARBA breed. This year after many years of hard work and dedication, the Lionheads were finally recognized, becoming the 48th recognized breed.
Having convention in our backyard was a once in a lifetime opportunity, it has not been on the east coast for over a decade. The MARC rabbit club has spent years, working hard to have this convention a unforgettable one, and their hard work payed off! It is a huge deal to have the convention in Pennsylvania. According to the Harrisburg news, convention was expected to bring over 2.3 million dollars into the Harrisburg economy. In order to have convention in our state, the state had to put down a 20,000 dollar down payment, and from there they bid.
Along with the many events that went on during the convention, a relatively new sport was taking place. Rabbit Hopping! It may sound comical, but its true! nearly 50 rabbits were entered in the fun competition, where rabbits hop over jumps ranging from 10 inches to 20 inches high, depending on the difficulty level. There were 3 types of hopping this year, Straight line,team relay, and high jump. Straitline is a line of 10-15 jumps, spaced 6 feet apart, and the rabbit that has the least faults, and best time, wins! The Team relay uses the same course, but instead there are 3 rabbits competing on a team, and the combined time of all 3 rabbits is used to determine the winner. The high jump is started at 16” high, and the rabbits each take a turn going over the jump, What ever rabbits make it over the jump, advance to the next level, raising the jump higher and higher until only 1 rabbit remains, and that is the winner!
Next year, the ARBA national convention is set to take place in Texas, and after that, in Oregon. Not only does having the ARBA Convention in different states each year help to bring people that would not be able to make the trip across the country, like some do, but it allows people to visit other states, that otherwise they would never visit. I dont know about you, but next year, I am Texas bound!
The ARBA convention is too incredible to sum up in a short article. In order for one to fully understand it, they have to go to one, and experience it. With that, I will see you in texas!
This is one of the few shows that every recognized ARBA breed, is shown. If a breed has less than 25 entries, over the course of 5 years, then it will no longer be considered a ARBA recognized breed. If one is considering a new breed, this is the place to do it! Browse around, visit all the breeds, and look for rabbits for sale.
Along with the Recognized breeds, at this show there are also many un recognized breeds. These breeders are going through a very time consuming, long task, to have their new breed, or color of an existing breed, recognized by the ARBA. The breeds have to be presented at a minimum of 3 consecutive conventions, that is if they pass the showing every time, to be considered a ARBA breed. This year after many years of hard work and dedication, the Lionheads were finally recognized, becoming the 48th recognized breed.
Having convention in our backyard was a once in a lifetime opportunity, it has not been on the east coast for over a decade. The MARC rabbit club has spent years, working hard to have this convention a unforgettable one, and their hard work payed off! It is a huge deal to have the convention in Pennsylvania. According to the Harrisburg news, convention was expected to bring over 2.3 million dollars into the Harrisburg economy. In order to have convention in our state, the state had to put down a 20,000 dollar down payment, and from there they bid.
Along with the many events that went on during the convention, a relatively new sport was taking place. Rabbit Hopping! It may sound comical, but its true! nearly 50 rabbits were entered in the fun competition, where rabbits hop over jumps ranging from 10 inches to 20 inches high, depending on the difficulty level. There were 3 types of hopping this year, Straight line,team relay, and high jump. Straitline is a line of 10-15 jumps, spaced 6 feet apart, and the rabbit that has the least faults, and best time, wins! The Team relay uses the same course, but instead there are 3 rabbits competing on a team, and the combined time of all 3 rabbits is used to determine the winner. The high jump is started at 16” high, and the rabbits each take a turn going over the jump, What ever rabbits make it over the jump, advance to the next level, raising the jump higher and higher until only 1 rabbit remains, and that is the winner!
Next year, the ARBA national convention is set to take place in Texas, and after that, in Oregon. Not only does having the ARBA Convention in different states each year help to bring people that would not be able to make the trip across the country, like some do, but it allows people to visit other states, that otherwise they would never visit. I dont know about you, but next year, I am Texas bound!
The ARBA convention is too incredible to sum up in a short article. In order for one to fully understand it, they have to go to one, and experience it. With that, I will see you in texas!