Judging At Rabbit Shows

Judging Holland Lops At Rabbit Shows

Checking For Disqualifications

When the judge begins evaluating rabbits (remember the solids go first), he or she generally begins by looking for disqualifications and getting a general idea of the class of rabbits. The judge will check each rabbit’s teeth, nails, gender, and perhaps eyes, testicles or for other disqualifications. At this point, judges will weigh rabbits who seem to be under or over the weight limit for Holland lops (2 lb. minimum, 4 lb. maximum).

Judges use various methods for keeping track of their observations—and may change them from show to show. Some will place coins or chips in front of rabbits. Others will physically sort rabbits. It's best not to guess how the judges are marking. You may have figured out their plan all wrong.

Comment Cards

At some shows, comment cards may be completed for you, recording the gist of the judge’s evaluation. The comment card’s usefulness depends on the judge’s ability to clearly and completely articulate the opinion and the writer’s ability to record them quickly and accurately. You may decide to take your own notes, even when there is a writer recording comments. A clipboard makes that more convenient.

Placing Rabbits

Once the judge has gotten an idea of the field, non-placing rabbits, if the class is large enough to have them, are removed one by one. The judge will call out the rabbit’s ear number. Until that time, it is important that you not indicate ownership of a particular rabbit. A judge should not be influenced, either positively or negatively, by considering the ownership of a rabbit. Once the number is called, you may move forward to hear the judge’s comments.

Remove Your Rabbit Promptly

When the judge has finished making comments, you should remove your rabbit promptly. Leaving a rabbit on the table can confuse the judge and slows the evaluation, since the judge must often stop and figure out whether a rabbit has been placed already or still needs to be evaluated. Just be sure to take a moment and recheck the ear number. Occasionally breeders have removed the wrong rabbit from the table.

The judge then places the remainder of the class in the same manner. Judging often slows when only the top five rabbits remain, but one by one, their ear numbers are called and they, too, are removed. The top five rabbits receive HLRSC sweepstakes points, based on their placement and the number of rabbits shown.

The first place rabbit is generally left on the table for further competition. Occasionally, a judge may decide to send back the first place rabbits until later if there is not enough room to keep them and judge the remainder of the classes.

Entering Rabbit Shows

Packing for a Show

Before Judging Begins

Grooming Holland Lops

Holland Lop Show Order

The Judging

Path to Best In Show

The Details of Rabbit Shows

This website is owned and maintained by Laurie Stroupe of The Nature Trail Rabbitry. Copyright 2005 The Nature Trail Rabbitry. No portion may be used without written permission. For pet rabbit information, please visit Precious Pet Rabbits.