West Coast Classic -- take 2

This year was our 2nd year to attend the WCC personally. I was asked to judge last year and knowing I would be there for the MLRCA national, I gladly accepted the bid.

I left Corvallis on Thursday afternoon. I picked up a transport rabbit on the way, and two when I got home. That night I cleaned all my carriers and loaded the 10 rabbits (3 transport, 3 showing, 2 sold and 2 for sale) into my car.

Friday morning I left around 8:30 am. It is a 6 hour drive, about 2 of it being on I-5 and about 4 off the beaten path. I nearly died once on highway 89, but after readjusting the carriers everything was just fine. I got into Reno about 2:45pm, where it was very, very hot. I quickly got the rabbits unloaded into the cool show room.

I cooped my 3 Mini Lops and found a spot out in the general show room to keep my bunnies. Paid my dues and got ready for the Friday night specialty.
Remington was a NP, which was to be expected. (I'm not sure how Houdini did in any of the shows.)
Friday night Bell Pepper was 3rd jr doe, loosing out to Chris DeSurra's does. Not too shabby for the 4 month old. Judge was Joe Lugo.

Jill got in about 8pm and helped her unload. Got into our hotel room and was in bed before midnight.


Saturday I was given the show line up of Thriantas (O/Y), Flemish Giant (90 Open), Palominos (60 Open) and the Angora Specialty (55 for 3 breeds). It was a nice opportunity to judge the FG's, with such high numbers and the BOB being a very, very nice Fawn doe. My main goal accomplished here was proper handling. To flip nearly a hundred 13-14lb animals of muscle, is no easy task. Thankfully I got them 2nd show and they were rather well mannered.

After a long day of judging, I quickly re-dressed for the MLRCA banquet. It was not held at the Grand Sierra casino & resort and rather at a restaurant roof top (which was kinda neat!). I had only ever been to 1 banquet before in 09, so I really wasn't sure what to expect. I landed myself between Briony and Johnny and across from Brian, Val and Heidi. I manged to laugh uncontrollably and shared a lot of good stories. The auction was fun, and it was there I found out Bell Pepper placed 7th in the SJD's.

Sunday was a bit more of the draggin feet. I was given Holland Lops (O/Y), American (O/Y), Lilac, Beveren, Youth Fuzzy Lops and the Lionhead specialty. Holland Lops were fun, I managed to pick Becky/Allan Ormond's rabbits for BOB/BOSB. They were some very nice rabbits.Tambria Lugo did a great job of keeping rabbits going up and off the table so it went by a lot quicker than I imagined!!!   A nice youth breeder won BOB/BOSB and another variety win for youth. Lilacs were fun, the breeders thanked me for my good handling skills. The Beveran were small in numbers but pretty good American numbers. Youth Fuzzy Lops a very nice group of kids who had great rabbits! and the Lionhead people got their animals to the table, clerked well and had a pretty solid set of animals to represent.

After I was finished I loaded some things to my car, was loading up some animals when Randy asked me to judge Youth Best in Show for C. I've only had a few honors of judging BIS as a new judge but Judy Rosnik and I both agreed on the Himalayan and the Havana. I then loaded  my cooped rabbits and off I was!

Met up with Jill and Kathyrn in Susanville. They had stopped for gas and dinner and we drove the 4 hours of the boonies/highway 89 together. Nearly hit a deer. Once we got on I-5 I moved out to get home. Coming up Siskyou summit I nearly ate it from a semi-truck, so stopped in Ashland to get my bearings back. Drove the rest of the hour home and got home just before midnight. Not bad!!!


What I'm happy with: The show venue was excellent. Big, breathable, good temperature. Spacious enough for everyone. High numbers, great judges. GREAT show crew. Not a doubt they were the best. A good bed to sleep on. I met a lot of Mini Lop people from Michigan, South Carolina, Kansas and Missouri. I met a lot of great breeders at the tables exhibiting their rabbits! The MLRCA banquet... unforgettable. My rabbits -- my junior doe did good, that's all that mattered.

Not so happy: I didn't sell either of the 2 I took down there, so they traveled for nothing. The drive, it was long and scary. The weather, it was hot in Reno!!! Other than that -- everything was excellent!  It's in Reno again next year, so we'll know later this year if we can make it again. Perhaps next year we can go just for fun!

Pear Blossom Rabbit Breeders Assc.

Was very enjoyable to attend this show.

I ended up selling more than I had planned -- and only have 2 seniors left for sale currently!!

No sales on the equipment, perhaps another day.

I did have wins with my Silver Marten, Pretty Woman won BOB in both shows. My Mini Lop Jr Doe won 1st & BOSV in show B under Ted D. Nicole kicked butt in show A, winning with Cherie, and Bob won with a Tomato sister as Opp. In B Nicole won with Scorch and Silas. It was nice to see breeders I started last year, win a 6th leg on a Houdini sister, and a 5th leg on a Guido sister. Also started up a youth with a good pair and it was nice to see the smile on his face. Good to see the future in Mini Lops is still bright!

Just making plans for Reno :) Hope to enter about 3.

Life!

I had to read the last blog post to decide how much has gone on since last posting!

First rabbit show of the year (for me) is this weekend, April 7th. It's my second home show, the Pear Blossom Rabbit Breeders Assc. I entered 4 rabbits, will show a few others, and will focus primarily on selling my rabbits and equipment.

Sunday I culled 8, and with this weekends show, I have 5-6 pre-sold, with lots going for sale. It will be a huge break if I can sell half of what I'm bringing.

On the 29th I bred Rylee to Sergio, a breeding I have been waiting a long time to do. The other 2 does will be bred sometime this month. One probably next week, and the other will likely be after WCC if we decide to show her.

Next show after this weekend is WCC. I might show a couple for kicks, since I am going. I will bring lots to sell. It will be a long drive, but it should be worth it. I haven't been to WCC since it's 2nd year in Monterey, in 2009!

We've had some good luck at the WCC shows, in 2009 LHHR's Theodore won BOSV in the Day After Nationals Mini Lop show. In 2010 LHHR's Rylee won Best in Show! Last year we just sent pre-sold stock. So who know's what 2012 will bring :)

While I was on spring break I groomed everyone, clipped toenails and tattooed everyone who needed one. I cleaned a bunch of cages! I put in new bark shavings for the floor and kept the barn from our spring flood. We seriously got so much rain that I was ready to leave at the end! Equipment was cleaned and inventoried, carriers were scrubbed & bleached and ready to go. Cages were reorganized and we have so much room available!

Spring term started today! My last first day of school, atleast as an undergraduate. I have heard back from all of my schools, I was accepted to three of them. I am still pulling out for New Mexico State University, but we shall see. Whatever happens, will happen for a reason. I will have an answer in 2-4 weeks. :/

Winding down

After some unfortunate events this last week, I'm thankful for this post that I am winding down in the rabbit hobby. I decided that I will jump back in when the time is right. I have 15 rabbits left, 4 of these are sold, 2 are retired pets. This leaves 9 rabbits, and 6 of those are for sale currently.

I do have a few babies & juniors on the ground, and depending on how they turn out in the next few months we might keep one or two. I could never get completely out of rabbits, but under 10 is reasonable.

School is cranking out. This week is dead week, I have a lab final and two finals next week. Next Thursday I will be DONE! I'm probably going to wind up with a B in one of my graduate courses, but no complaints -- it was worth it. I am taking 2 classes in addition to my research credits to remain full time to stay working and in my clubs. Spring break I will begin to plan my summer and get things straightened out for graduation (June 16th!). It's just so hard to believe it's almost already spring break. ^.^

Rough times

The Silver Martens left. The 4 does, Jack Daniels and 3 Junior Blues. All that is left are Pendleton & her daughter (sold) and Bacardi, who is for sale for WCC! My aunt kept the runt Black from Sin and Atlas. So we'll still have one around.

Baby status: We're going through them next weekend. Don't expect to keep much.

Selling some cages, so I can "officially" downsize. If I don't have the open holes, I don't breed and therefore can't increase my numbers.

Right now I think we're sitting on 17 with about 5 sold and 2 pets. :/

School is rough. Calving season is almost over with. 6 to go! and then life returns to a much happier state with more sleep! :)

More (and less) babies

Gouda has 4 babies by Zoolander.

The Silver Martens did kindle, were DOA though because of a mixup. (our fault). Feel horrible about it, though we are selling all of them so with no babies they can go sooner. :/

Do have some color in the boxes (lynx, lilac, chocolate), and Nell & Pickles's huge litters.

Next time I go home to pick up some ML's, I'll breed Rylee and Kirby.

Baby Update :)

Preston's Sin has 4 babies by Preston's Atlas

Milkhouse's Izzabella has 1 baby (fostered) by LHHR's Hank Tank

LHHR's Pickles has 10 babies (+1) by LHHR's Hank Tank

Velotta's Nell has 10 babies by LHHR's Hank Tank

LHHR's Guido has 5 babies by LHHR's Sergio

and a couple more to kindle, hopefully tonight :) -- but 30 babies in the box will certainly be fun to sift through! I see more Hank replacements are clearly evident.

Week 2 Disaster

Friday - Monday we got heavy snow. We're on the valley floor so this concept was alarming to the city. We didn't have school on Monday due to MLK, but Tuesday & Wednesday classes before 10am and after 5pm were cancelled. Wednesday it started raining and Thursday was simply wet, cold & very miserable. By Thursday afternoon many of our large rivers had flooded, closing many streets, evacuating many houses, and causing a lot of damage. School was cancelled on Friday.

Our basement flooded. We had ServPro come out and so far none is receeding back in, thankfully. It has continued to rain all of Friday and today, and tomorrow calls for heavy rains & wind as well. We still have power here on the west side of town.

Despite the crazy weather, Tuesday I have to make it out to the ranch to pick up about 30 heifers & cows for the calving season. They are set to start calving on Feb 1st, so we need them here on campus no later than Wed. A lack of sleep is in store for the next 4-6 weeks.

Not too many shows this year. Didn't get to CDA, won't make it to St. Helens. The first show I'll probably exhibit at might be Pear Blossom, as I doubt I can bring any other than sold animals to La Grande. Will be a light spring with my main focus on school and the activities here.

Other than that, I have no rabbits up here in Corvallis, thankfully. I do have a few does due here soon, I forget the dates but they should already have their boxes. I bred Gouda to Zoolander, Guido to Sergio, Nell to Hank, and I colony bred 2 or 3 Silver Martens, so I'm unsure of the results there. At any rate, I hope to have 3 nice Mini Lop litters though!! *crossing fingers*

So hopefully some baby updates in the next few days. :)

Welcome 2012!

Well since I hadn't posted in forever, I figured now would be a good time before I start school again.

Culled a bunch of rabbits, bred a bunch of does. Have some promising juniors for spring shows.

Website is completely updated. For Sale animals are likely available in March, or can be held for WCC. All of my colored Mini Lops are up for sale, as well as any senior. I am keeping just 3 Silver Martens, so any of my senior stock will be available.

I will be down to 10 by June 15th. So if there is an animal that has your attention, e-mail me about it now, so plans can be made.

In for the long run!

School!

Research started on November 11th, we're now at 23 calves, with a few more coming after the holiday. All has been well and just starting to work on my thesis. (what I can write for now).

Been doing the grad school search... so far there are 3 schools still in the running, with Michigan State, Kansas State & New Mexico State. Personal statement is being re-written & resume being edited.... then once I have that complete, I can get my Forms & Letters of Recommendation! yikes! I then have to send in Applications & GRE scores...

All seems like so much work, but I know by March or April I will be happy that this has been worth it. I'm currently in contact with NMSU that has a pretty good sounding project available!

Applied Reproduction is going well. AI'ing session was stressful (for many reasons, not related to school), but now that we're in Embryo Collection & Transfer, things have gone very well!

I have a midterm on Monday (I know, week NINE!), and two days of school. Then a break for a few days to pull it out for Dead & Finals week!

Wednesday when I get off work, I'll head north to pick up my carriers. And then leave and head all the way home (weather permitting) to spend the holiday with my family!!

I missed the Enumclaw show, and will be out of town for Monroe. I doubt I'll be able to head to Red Bluff, since getting additional hours at work is more important... I picked up 3 shifts today, so very excited about that :)

Not really sure where the rabbits sit at this point :/ I will definitely be letting go of some senior stock, just need to go through what I have and see what I can live without! I will be doing some breedings to keep these does active & working, probably just the Silver Martens for now. Though a ML might make the list.

We'll see. I'll know more on the 27th :)