Rabbit Show Remark Cards

When you enter an ARBA sanctioned rabbit show in the Midwest region, you will also turn in a 'remark card' for each rabbit you enter.  Remark cards are carbonless, two-part forms, approximately 4" x 7" in size, that the 'writer' uses to record where your rabbit places in its class, along with any specials (Best of Breed, Best of Variety, etc) won and any remarks the judge makes about your rabbit.  The show secretary then uses all remark cards from the show to compile the show reports. 

Some areas, including the southern states, do not use judging remark cards.  Instead each class is recorded on a 'control sheet' used by the club secretary after the show to complete the show reports.  Exhibitors must listen closely to the judge's comments since they will not get a copy of the control sheet.

Here is a little more detail about remark cards, or if you want, just scroll down to see a remark card. 

Where To Get Remark Cards

Most shows will provide remark cards to exhibitors free of charge.  Remark cards are usually available up at the entry desk area, just let the desk person know how many you need for the show.  You can then fill out your remark cards right at the show and turn them in with your entry forms.

Many exhibitors, myself included, like to buy remark cards to have and fill out before getting to the show, for a few reasons - they are time consuming to fill out especially if you enter a lot of rabbits, and it is easy to make mistakes on your remark cards when you are rushed, or because of the many distractions in the showroom.  Some mistakes can cause your rabbit to be disqualified from the class!

So, if you want remark cards ahead of time, you can purchase packs of 100 or more from any of the rabbit supply vendors at rabbit shows, or through catalogs or rabbit supply websites.  They are usually cheap, less than $10.00 per 100, last I remember.

How To Fill Out A Remark Card

Blank remark cards have a white page on the top, and a carbonless copy attached to it-be careful not to set them on top of one another or your writing will transfer down through your stack of remark cards!

You will fill in the top of the remark card only - look below at the example - you do not write anything below the 'line' on the remark card (I have pointed out the line with a red arrow).

In an upper corner of the remark card, write a prominent O for open or Y for youth so the show workers can readily sort the cards into the proper age categories.

Under Variety - you must look in the Standard of Perfection to see what your breed's showroom classes/varieties are (or ask at the show) - If you are showing Holland Lops, they are shown only by 'broken' or 'solid' , not actual colors, so you would record either broken or solid in the variety blank.  For Polish, they are shown by actual colors, such as black, blue, chocolate, broken, etc.  So if you are showing a Polish, write down the color in the variety blank.

Don't worry about the Coop No. or Entry No. - these are rarely used.

Fill out one remark card for each rabbit you are entering, keep the copy attached to the original and turn it in with your show entry form.

Here is a typical show remark card copy:

While Your Rabbit Is Being Judged

The 'writer' at the judging table will use your remark card to write down where your rabbit places in its class, any specials won, and judge's comments.  Look at the copy above - the writer uses the bottom of the form to record all this information. 

Judges usually spit out comments fast and it is difficult for writers to catch all of them, especially in a noisy showroom, so don't expect every category to be filled in or checked!  Listen carefully for the judge's comments about your rabbit.  

Usually the writer will stamp or write the judge's name on the card - sometimes on the back as it was done on the remark card example above.

After Judging

After your rabbit is finished being judged, the writer will tear off the white copy and keep it for the show secretary's use, and leave the colored copy of the remark card at the writer's table for you to pick up.  Don't forget your remark card copies because they will not be saved for you!  Take your copy up to the ribbon desk for any awards you might of won, and then just keep your remark cards in case you need them for reference. 

Mistakes!

While it doesn't happen often, sometimes the writer will record the wrong placement of a rabbit or make another mistake on a remark card.  Large classes, confusion over tattoo numbers and excessive noise while the judge is talking, all contribute to these mistakes. 

Look at your remark card immediately when you get it - if there is a mistake, make sure the writer corrects not only your copy, but the original white remark card - that is the important one that goes to the show secretary!

What Are Specials?

Confusing name for the awards a rabbit can win........ here are the common ones:

• BOB: Best of Breed - the top honor of a breed! The rabbit that best represents its breed at that show.
• BOS: Best Opposite Sex of Breed - the second top honor of a breed, the best rabbit that is opposite the sex of the top winner.
• BOG: Best of Group - the best rabbit of a group of colors/varieties.  Used when show classes are 'groups of colors or varieties' rather than individual varieties.
• BOSG: Best Opposite Sex of Group - the rabbit considered the best of the sex opposite the group winner.
• BOV: Best of Variety- the best rabbit of a particular variety.  Usually used when show classes are individual colors or varieties.
• BOSV: Best Opposite Sex of Variety - the best rabbit of the variety of the opposite sex of the winner of that variety. 
• Note: Oftentimes, Group and Variety terms are interchangeable.