2007 ARBA Convention & Show

Grand Rapids, MI

 

 

The National Convention is always a stressful adventure, but also very fun.  It takes a lot of planning to get all the rabbits, stuff and people ready for this event.  We got off to a pretty late start leaving Des Moines and didn’t get into Grand Rapids until 3:30 am on Sunday morning.  We forgot about the time change!  Well we got there finally and got the buns all set up in their coops.  Unfortunately, the Havanas didn’t show until Tuesday.  So we spent Monday fretting of the Dwarf show and having our Lynx DQ’ed for color.  Grrr.  More on that later in the Dwarf section! 

 

So here are the results for Mike’s rabbits.  Needless to say we were absolutely THRILLED with how the Havanas did.  It’s been a fantastic year! (oh and the total number in the classes my not be 100% accurate, it is to the best of my memory and based on what was on the coop cards) 

 

Tattoo	Variety	Class	Sex	ARBA Convention (Lowell Trausch)
T25	Black	Sr	Buck	1st of 19
T244	Black	Sr	Doe	4th of 23
Dark	Black	Jr	Buck	6th  of 18  Fur 4th of 6
Holly	Black	Sr	Doe	10th of 19
MT03	Chocolate	Sr	Buck	1st BOSV BOS
Jane	Chocolate	Sr	Doe	1st of 6
Rory	Chocolate	Jr	Buck	5th of 9
Nicole	Chocolate	Jr	Doe	2nd of 6 Fur 2nd of 6

 

 

One thing I want to mention about the Black Senior Buck class is that we originally had 2^nd in that class.  The Cardinal kids had 1^st, but unfortunately due to a problem with the tattoo not matching the entry cards, their rabbit was DQ’ed.  Mike and I both want to say that we know they had the better rabbit and we were THRILLED to even get 2^nd in that tough class.  I am sorry that had to happen to them and hope they are not too upset.  I know that we would be if the roles were reversed. 

 

Once again we put two nice rabbits in the Sellers Class.  The way this class works is that you consign your rabbits to the class and put their pedigrees in the book so people can view them.  Then the club assembles the rabbits on the table and the members are allowed to look at the rabbits for a few minutes.  Then they are auctioned off.  Billy Cooper did such a fantastic job as our auctioneer!  It was very entertaining and well run.  If any of you that bought Mike’s rabbits have any pictures of them, please let me know.  I wanted to take pics of the buns at the show and totally forgot! 

 

Mike had his 1^st place Chocolate Sr Doe Jane and his Black Jr Doe Holly in the sellers class.  They both went for about $80.00 each!!! Wow!  That was exciting!

 

THEN when I though things couldn’t get any better…. I won the Broken Chocolate Jr doe in the R&D raffle donated by Brad & Katie Boyce!  ME!  Becky, the Mom.  I have my own Havana now.  Boy was Mike miffed at me!  Wow this little doe is so sweet!  Deep, deep, deep!  I don’t know if I’ll end up putting her on the show table, depends on how old she will be in February when we can OFFICIALLY START SHOWING THE BROKENS!!!

 

Oh, yes that’s right!  BROKENS PASSED!!!  Woohoo!  Congrats to Brad & Katie!  This is such an accomplishment.  It’s been a long time coming, and I’m so glad to see it happen.  The Brokens will be an awesome addition to this awesome breed. 

 

Then Mary Jo Kivi was so kind and gave Mikey a super looking Blue Jr Doe!  Mikey was so excited that we had to rearrange all our carriers and re-divide a couple to make room to get this pretty Blue doe home!

 

So in closing the Havana portion of this year’s convention was awesome!  I wish Tim could have been there to see Mike win Best Opposite.  But listening to Mikey leave Tim the voice mail with the exciting news was pretty amusing.