Resources

Some useful links to 4H-FFA rabbit project support sites.

• ARBA-Rabbit Breeds

  Pictures of all current ARBA recognized breeds of Rabbits

• Rabbit Project Reference Manual

  This manual is a reference guide for young people and adults wanting to participate in a 4H rabbit project in Texas.

• Texas Youth Livestock & Agriculture-Rabbit

  The rabbit project teaches proper methods of caring for, raising, breeding and marketing rabbits. There are three project options: Market Rabbit Project (breeding and raising rabbits for meat); Rabbit Breeding Project (breeding and raising rabbits for desired or unique characteristics); and Pet Project (maintaining rabbits for companionship).

Showmanship Guidelines

What is Showmanship

Showmanship is an opportunity for a 4-H member to show how much he or she knows about rabbits and how well they can handle them. A good showman is a combination of their knowledge, manners, proper dress and handling skills.

They have learned the art of selecting, fitting/grooming and presenting rabbits to their best advantage. The confidence and ability demonstrated by the showman and the rabbit’s response and grooming indicates the amount of previous work done with the rabbit. Knowledge is the response to questions about the rabbit parts, disqualifications, breeds and variety characteristics. 

Showmanship is not difficult to do, but it is very obvious when a member doesn’t know how to do it properly. Watching and doing what others do can make the contestant look very foolish when the person being copied is doing things wrong. Always watch the judge, not the other people that are doing showmanship.

In order to get good score at showmanship, the member must start early in the year with his or her rabbit. Practicing is very important. It is suggested that the member work with his or her rabbit a minimum of 30 minutes every week, right up until fair, in order to be prepared. This guide will go over the basic requirements for rabbit showmanship as well as offer tips and judging factors.

References

Review the following guidelines from various sources to prepare yourself for showmanship evaluation.
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Videos

It is suggested you review the following videos and develop your own technique and presentation.