RABBIT EXTRAVAGANZA

Bell County Expo Center
301 West Loop 121
Belton, Texas
254-933-5353
(Exit 292 off Interstate 35)

Saturday, November 15, 2008

4hRabbitEvents@ag.tamu.edu

The Texas 4-H Rabbit Extravaganza is a state wide competition open to enrolled, official 4-H age Texas 4-H members. It is not open to clover kids. Rabbits are judged and placed based on a universally accepted Standard of Perfection. This will not be an A.R.B.A. nor a T.R.B.A. sanctioned show, but all rules will pertain to judging rabbits. All youth must submit their fully completed Minor’s Release, Integrity Statement by the entry deadline. Those entering only special events must also have this form on file.

2008 Medical Release & Integrity Statement

The Texas 4-H Rabbit Extravagaza Booster Club, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Texas 4-H & Youth Development Program, Bell County Exposition Center and its employees will assume no responsibility in case of theft, accident, or other destruction of your property. However, every precaution will be taken to eliminate any danger in the showroom. Parents will be held responsible for all of their children’s actions.

PAGE LINKS:
Rabbit Extravaganza Information - PDF Files
Entry Information
Show Officials
Show Schedule
General Show Rules
Exhibitor Age Divisions
Volunteers Needed!
Special Contests
Lodging Facilities

RABBIT EXTRAVAGANZA INFORMATION - PRINTER FRIENDLY!

PDF FILE	INFORMATION/CONTEST
	2008 Rabbit Extravaganza Results
	2008 Rabbit Extravaganza Catalog (Full Version)
	Frequently Asked Questions (coming soon)
	Rabbit Art Contest Guidelines
	Rabbit Art Contest Score Sheet
	Best Dressed Rabbit Guidelines
	Hands-On Judging Contest
	Hands-On Judging Contest Answer Form
	Breed ID Contest Pointers
	Breed ID Contest Answer Form
	Rabbit Showmanship Guidelines
	Rabbit Showmanship Score Sheet
	Rabbit Photo Contest Guidelines
	Rabbit Photo Contest Score Sheet
	Rabbit Skill-A-Thon
	Poster Score Card
	Poster/Exhibit Pointers

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ENTRY INFORMATION
ENTRY PROCESS:	All entries must be submitted through 4-H Connect.
EARLY ENTRY ONLY:	All registration must be done using 4-H Connect. Registration open from October 1 - October 20 Instructions for using 4-H connect can be obtained at the Texas 4-H website http://texas4-h.tamu.edu/
ENTRIES:	Rabbits may only be shown by one 4-Her. Entries submitted in the name of more than one 4-H’er or entries without ear tattoos listed will not be processed nor accepted.
SUBSTITUTIONS:	Entries may be changed the morning of the show as long as they are the same class, same sex and the same variety, Therefore the ONLY thing that can be changed is the rabbit’s tattoo number. All changes must be made before the show begins. $3 per head substitution fee. (Cash ONLY, correct change.) NO ADDITIONAL RABBIT OR SPECIAL EVENT ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED.
ENTRY FEE:	$10 per youth (includes an Ear the Good News t-shirt) Rabbits $3.25 per entry (meat pen of 3 is ONE entry) Special Events $1.50 per entry

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SHOW OFFICIALS
RABBIT SHOW SECRETARY	Eddie Bruton, Gatesville 4hrabbitevents@ag.tamu.edu
RABBIT SHOW SUPERINTENDENT	Kathy Brase, Gatesville 4hrabbitevents@ag.tamu.edu
SPECIAL EVENTS SUPERINTENDENT	Cheryl Palumbo, Copperas Cove 4hrabbitevents@ag.tamu.edu
FACULTY ADVISOR	Marilyn Prause Extension Program Specialist 254-774-6024 (day)
JUDGES	Frank Farrow Carrol Hooks Mikey Franke
RULES COMMITTEE:	Eddie Bruton Cheryl Palumbo Kathy Brase

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SHOW SCHEDULE
7:00 am	Showroom Opens
7:30 - 8:30 am	Rabbit Check-in (make substitutions now!)
7:30 - 8:30 am	Entry Check-In (Poster, Art, Photo and T-Shirt Design) NO LATE ENTRY OR SUBSTITUTIONS OF SPECIAL EVENTS Poster, Art and Photo entries must remain on display until 3:00 pm (or later if judging is not completed).
9:00 am	Special Contest Begins in Designated Locations Awards will be presented as judging is completed. 9:00-noon: Breed Identification 9:00-noon: Hands-On Rabbit Judging 9:00-noon: Best Dressed Rabbit 9:00-noon: Rabbit Skill-A-Thon 9:00-noon: Showmanship These events are run on a “come and go” basis. Participants should check in with the special event coordinator at the event location when they are ready to participate. Please do not wait until noon to check in for these special events or you may not get to participate! Event chairmen will work with those who have schedule conflicts
10:00 am	Opening Ceremonies and Welcome "Salute to Military Families" Rabbits Judging begins immediately following ceremonies. Show order and table assignments will be posted in the judging area. Judging will begin with the Pens of Three and Single Fryers
2:00 pm	Poster, Art, and Photo entries released (If Judging is Complete)
1:30 pm	Silent Auction closes
2:00 pm	Silent Auction "payout" closes

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GENERAL SHOW RULES

This is a YOUTH SHOW. We encourage each young person to accept the responsibility of his/her rabbit project by placing their rabbits on and off the judging table. No adult will be allowed to place rabbits on the table for youth. With the many activities of the day youth are reminded that it is important to remember that showing your rabbit when it is called to the table is your main priority. Please try to participate in as many activities as you wish, but always be ready when your rabbits are called to the table.

YOUTH MUST PLACE RABBITS ON THE TABLE

1. All stock must be the bona fide property of the exhibitor and must be permanently and clearly tattooed in the left ear. Tattoo must NOT be freshly done.
2. Please pick up remark cards and ribbons at the end of the show before you leave. They will not be mailed.
3. Rabbits will be called to the table three times only. If, after the 3rd call, your rabbit is still not on the table, it will be listed as a “no show”.
4. No exhibitor or spectator will be allowed in the judging area.
5. Any animal showing signs of disease or sickness will be removed from the showroom area and will not be accepted for judging.
6. The superintendent/show committee reserves the right to make any necessary changes.
7. There will be no changes after judging begins.
8. No carriers will be allowed under judging tables at any time.
9. Meat pens will consist of three rabbits – all of the same breed and variety. Entries will be eliminated if more than one breed or variety is in the same pen. Age limit not over 10 weeks, weight limit not over 5 pounds for each rabbit and not under 3 pounds. If any one rabbit in the pen is disqualified, the whole pen becomes disqualified. Single fryers will be judged by the same standards. Do not have to own the doe from which meat pens are selected. Meat pens must be in possession at least 30 days before the Extravaganza.
10. NO DOGS or OTHER ANIMALS will be allowed in the showroom. Exception: Dogs used to aid the visually impaired will be allowed.
11. All judges decisions will be final.
12. Young people choosing not to show a live animal are welcome to register and participate in any of the additional contests offered.
13. All participants must be academically eligible to participate in any aspect of the Texas 4-H Rabbit Extravaganza.
14. This is a one day carrier - ALL CARRIERS MUST HAVE WATER PROOF BOTTOMS.
15. Bring lawn chairs for the family as chairs /bleachers are not available.
16. If you are leaving the show early and you have a BEST OF BREED winner, please inform the show secretary of scratch.

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EXHIBITOR AGE DIVISIONS

EXHIBITOR AGE DIVISIONS
Junior	ages 8 and in the 3rd grade or 9-10 years old as of August 31, 2008
Intermediate	ages 11-12-13 years old as of August 31, 2008
Senior	ages 14-18 years old on August 31, 2008. Must not have passed 19th birthday - i.e. if age 18 on August 31st and turn age 19 on September 1st, the youth is eligible.
Contest design and age appropriateness does not allow Clover 4-H participants to compete in any contest, but they are welcome to observe and learn in preparation for future years!

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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Parents and adult volunteers are asked to assist in any way possible to help make these contest run smoothly. If you would like to volunteer in any way, email us at 4hrabbitevents@ag.tamu.edu to let us know how best you can help! Volunteers can also check with us at the event if you want to help!

Youth assistants may not enter an event for which they are providing rabbits or other type of leadership or assistance for the show.

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SPECIAL CONTESTS

BEST DRESSED RABBIT:
Purpose: To have fun using your imagination in dressing your rabbit. Bring what you need the day of the State Show. Each contestant is allowed one entry. Contestants may give up to a two-minute presentation (explanation to the judges of their rabbit’s theme/costume) on their entry. Entries will be evaluated on originally & creativity, behavior of rabbit while in costume, and communication with the judge.

RABBIT ART CONTEST:
Purpose: To display your creative skills using various methods of artistic creativity. All work must be original and done by the 4-H member since the 2007 Texas 4-H Rabbit Extravaganza and MUST contain a rabbit or its likeness. Entries will be classified as 1) Graphic - to include drawings, colorings, etchings, paintings. 2) Handicrafts - to include sewing, baskets, embroidery, etc. - Identification tags will be provided at show check-in. The first place entry from graphic and handicraft in each age division will be awarded a trophy.

BREED IDENTIFICATION:
Purpose: To demonstrate the 4-H members knowledge of the different breeds of rabbits using breed, showroom classification, type and class. Use the ARBA Standards of Perfection to study.

Youth will view a variety of rabbits then will write answers on an official answer sheet.

BREED	SHOWROOM CLASSIFICATION	BODY TYPE	CLASS (4 OR 6)
Mini Rex	Black	Compact	4
New Zealand	White	Commercial	6
Netherland Dwarf	Self	Compact	4
Holland Lop	Broken	Compact	4

EDUCATIONAL / PROMOTIONAL RABBIT POSTERS & DISPLAYS:
Purpose: To promote the 4-H rabbit project and show rabbit knowledge and/or rabbit project possibilities. Please use standard size poster board or free standing tri-fold display (science) boards. Do not pre-label exhibits. Identification tags will be furnished upon check-in. Posters will be judged from a distance of 5 feet on: eye appeal, originally, subject matter and readability. All entries must have been made by the 4-H member since the 2006 4-H Extravaganza.

HANDS-ON RABBIT JUDGING:
Purpose: To demonstrate the ability of the 4-H member in placing rabbits as a judge would. The Standard of Perfection may be used in this contest. Youth will place rabbits according to the scale of points for each breed. A class will consist of four animals each. These rabbits will have been evaluated and officially ranked by a show judge. Scoring will be done using the Hormel Computing Slide. Juniors will judge 1 class, Intermediates 1 or 2 classes, Seniors will judge 2 classes of same breed, sex and variety. Tie-breakers /call-backs will be held when necessary to determine the top winners in each age group. A number (1,2,3 or 4) in the right ear will be used to identify each rabbit to be judged in each class. Youth will rank the rabbits according to their decision as to which rabbit is the best, second best, third best, etc. For example:

Breed/Class	Californian - Class 1	3	1	4	2
		1st	2nd	3rd	4th

RABBIT PHOTO CONTEST:
Purpose: To display your creative skills using a camera. All pictures must be taken by the 4-H member since the 2008 TX 4-H Rabbit Extravaganza. All photos must include one or more “real” rabbits. Each photo may be entered in only ONE category. Categories will include: Color Humor, Color Rabbit (single rabbit breed photos), Color Rabbits and People, Color Open (all others), Black & White (all) and may be taken with any camera.. First place winners in each category will be considered for AGE division grand champion trophy.

All photos must be 8 inches x 10 inches in dimension. All prints must be permanently mounted on solid photographic mount board or a board of like thickness no larger than 8 x 10 inches suitable for hanging, without an additional frame. No framed photos. Do not pre-label exhibits. Identification tags will be furnished upon check-in at the Extravaganza.

RABBIT SKILL-A-THON:
Purpose: A competition in which individual participants test their general knowledge of a participant in the areas of bred and color patterns, parts and anatomy, comment cards, care & health, Breed & variety, equipment, breeding, showmanship, feeds and nutrition, selection and preparation for the show . Questions may be true - false, multiple choice, short answer to identifying from a diagram or other visual. In addition to written test several stations will be set up for participants to visit and may have to demonstrate, identify or perform a given task. Official Resources: A.R.B.A. “Standard of Perfection”, “Official Guidebook to Raising Rabbits and Cavies”, and “Domestic Rabbit Guide.

SHOWMANSHIP:
Purpose: Provide youth an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to professionally examine a rabbit as a judge would do in competition. Judges may ask several “standard” questions that will be age appropriate. Judges will be fair and consistent with all judging and will have experience in this field. Some youths will be asked to do showmanship more than one time to determine winners in case of ties. The Texas 4-H Rabbit Showmanship Guidelines and score form will be used as the standard for judging.

2008 T-Shirt Design (Concept):
We’re looking for new original ideas! Come up with a slogan, cute sketch, or concept for the 2009 extravaganza. Can’t draw, no problem! Computers generated graphics (winner may be asked to submit in digital format), drawings, stick figures with word descriptions or other creative ways to get your idea across are permissible! Entries will be judged by the 4-H youth at the show. Be sure to check your registration packet for voting information!
Submit your idea, drawing, sketch, theme on 8 ½ X 11 paper.

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LODGING FACILITIES

Mapquest the Event Facility and Hotels

La Quinta Inn & Suites
229 West Loop 121
Belton, TX 76513
254-939-2772

Ramada Limited
1102 E. 2nd & I-35
Belton, TX
254-939-3745
800-272-6232

Belton Inn Budget Host
1520 S. Hwy Blvd. (I-35)
Belton, TX
254-939-0744

Holiday Inn Express
410 N. Main Street
Belton, TX
800-899-4538

Best Western River Forest Inn
1414 E. 6th Ave. & I-35
Belton, TX
254-939-5711
877-501-0782

Glenn-Riddle Manor
1610 Manor
Belton, TX
254-770-1100

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Page last updated: November 19, 2008