Different Types of Rabbit Shows

There are three basic types of rabbit shows; county and state fairs, ARBA day-of-entry shows, and ARBA pre-entry shows.  Although I have information below on how each type of show is run, it is very important that you contact the rabbit show secretary and get a 'show catalog' before the show - the show catalog will give you a lot of important information - where and when the show is, what kind of show it is, entry fees, and more. 

The show catalog will also list whether or not 'judging remark cards' are used at the show - here in the midwest, remark cards are commonly used, but in other areas of the country, such as down south, control sheets are used to mark class placement, not remark cards.

For all ARBA day-of-entry and the pre-entry shows, each exhibitor can enter as many rabbits as they'd like - there are no entry limits such as is common in the county fair shows.

4-H Youth Shows and Fairs:

These county and state fair shows are usually held for youth group members of 4-H and FFA to exhibit their rabbit and/or cavy 'projects'.   Each exhibitor is usually limited to a certain number of entries per class.   Some fairs allow 'open' entries also! 

Most of these fair shows are cooped, meaning your rabbit will stay in a fair-provided display cage for the duration of the fair.  You must attend daily to care for your animals-but this is part of the fun!

Most fairs judging youth projects use a 'Danish system' where the judge can award several winners in each ribbon category - a system that rewards all exhibitors! 

Becoming involved in your local youth fair and youth 4-H group is a lot of fun for the entire family and offers a great foundation for the beginning rabbit exhibitor!

ARBA Rabbit Shows: Day of Entry Shows

Throughout North America, local rabbit clubs put on ARBA all-breed rabbit shows.  These shows are usually held on one or two weekend days and allow exhibitors to enter the show right at the show, on the day of the show.  This is a very common type of rabbit show, at least here in the Midwest!

Usually, entries are due somewhere between 8 and 9 am, the morning of the show, so you simply show up at entry time, turn in your show entry form, pay your entry fees and turn in your remark cards (whether or not the show uses remark cards will be stated in your show catalog).  You then show your rabbits that day.

For most day-of-entry shows, rabbits are not "cooped" - you will bring each rabbit to the show in your own 'carrier' (small cage with it's own attached dropping pan) and your rabbit will remain in this carrier throughout the show.  Some shows offer affordable (usually between 50 cents and $1.50/hole) overnight cooping on the showgrounds in case you want a larger cage/overnight housing for your rabbit(s).

ARBA Rabbit Shows: Pre-Entry Shows

If your show catalog states the show is a 'pre-entry' show, you will be entering your rabbits before the actual show date.  Pre-entry shows are common in the southern states and also for larger shows such as statewide conventions, national breed club conventions or yearly ARBA Conventions, where a large number of entries is expected.  Again, you can enter as many rabbits as you want in this type of show.

Your show catalog will tell you how to enter the pre-entry show - some entries must be mailed in or postmarked by a deadline, some shows accept entries online or through email by a certain date and some shows even accept 'call-in' entries.  Many of the southern shows require pre-entry on the Wednesday before their Saturday show.  If late entries are accepted, there is usually an increased entry fee for each rabbit entered late - check your show catalog for details.

If you enter a pre-entry show, then discover you cannot go, contact the show secretary immediately.  Each club has their own policies on show entry fees for cancellations - check the catalog or ask the show secretary.

Pre-entry for conventions and larger shows gives the show committee a count of exhibitors and rabbits expected, so they can plan cooping, judging and awards, accordingly.

Many large convention-type shows are also 'cooped shows'- where all rabbits entered stay in assigned coops during the show.  Oftentimes these large shows use- 'runners'; people who take your rabbit up to the show table for judging and return them to their coops afterwards.  This organized judging keeps the show moving along smoothly at large rabbit shows!

Some pre-entry shows are not cooped shows.  You pre enter and then bring your rabbits to the show in individual carriers, which they remain in for the show.  In the south, rabbit shows are usually double and triple shows held on Saturdays, with pre-entry by the Wednesday before the show.  These are not cooped shows and they do not use remark cards, so exhibitors must listen closely for the judges' comments during judging!

Now, look to your left-  We have a lot more articles about showing your rabbit.

Most of our articles are about Day of Entry rabbit shows since those are the most common in our Midwest area - but the info in the articles will help you no matter what kind of show you attend!  If rabbit showing is done differently in your area or region, I'd love to hear from you!  Please email me!  Thanks to Becky Whaley for the information about showing rabbits in the southern states!