David Laughlin
The Duncan Banner
DUNCAN —
More than 1,500 rabbits descended on Duncan Friday and Saturday. No, it wasn’t a horror movie gone wrong, the Stephens County Fair & Expo Center was inundated with rabbits of all colors, sizes and breeds for the Labor Day Rabbit Show put on by the Stephens County Rabbit Breeders Association.
A favorable weather pattern helped draw a robust crowd of hoppers and humans alike. Marie Gulledge, vice president of the Stephens County Rabbit Breeders Association and show superintendent, was impressed with the turnout for the event. Gulledge attributed the better-than-average turnout to the pleasant weather.
“The weather has just been great,” said Gulledge between announcing which category was next at the judging tables. “It has cooled off and people decided its a great time to visit a rabbit show.”
To help determine the bests and the rests, Gulledge employed the help of judges from across the nation. States that were represented were Tennessee, Florida, Louisiana, Kansas and Oklahoma.
Having a diverse judging crowd is necessary to the show, Gulledge said. Rabbits must be looked over by different judges in order to be eligible to place high. “If you show in the same area you have to have a diverse set of judges,” she said.
Each judge judges completely different, Gulledge said.
“It gives everyone an opportunity to get a good idea on the quality of their rabbits,” she said. “People can get a good, rounded idea on the quality of their rabbits.”
Developing a well rounded judging base is not nearly as important to Gulledge as developing well rounded youth. Youth comprised more than half of the entries for the event. She said getting youth involved with rabbit showing not only teaches animal husbandry, it teaches responsibility.
“I think it teaches them values, and teaches them how to care for something else,” she said. “Kids just want to be totally involved with every part of it. I had more than one kid come up to me and ask how they can help with the judging or comment taking. We really work with the youth to get them involved. Whatever we can do to get kids off the streets and couches and out from in front of the T.V. is good for them.”
Madison Denner, 12, and Mackenzie Denner, 15, were two youth whose hard work paid off. The duo won best of show, best of breed, and best of opposite sex Friday evening. They have been showing for more than four years.
“We brought the young stuff today,” Mackenzie said. “It feels good to see your hard work pay off.”
— David Laughlin is a reporter for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 580-255-5354, Ext. 144, or via e-mail at david.laughlin@duncanbanner.com.
