The bunnies are cute when you attend a rabbit show, such as the Wildrose Classic hosted by the Edmonton Area Rabbit Society at Bruderheim’s main arena May 10 through 12. It was promoted and brought to the town by the Bruderheim Agricultural Society.
But when it comes the picking the winners and losers at a meet such as this there is a lot to learn.
Stephen Hultholm, 39, from Holden, AB,. was one of the judges at the Bruderheim show. The other judges came from the United States in Washington, Texas, and Oregon.
“I’m licensed by the American Rabbit Breeders Association,” said Hultholm. “It’s a long process to become a judge.
“First you have to become a registrar and have an ARBA membership for three years and then you take a written and oral exam.”
He explained it takes another test with three licensed judges and if they deem you good enough you become a registrar.
After that it takes two years during which time you must register “at least 25 animals.”
“That gives you the experience and then you take a more comprehensive written and oral exam and you must be free from any disqualifications.”
Judges, he said, need to know about the point system.
Eight judges grade the candidate who must be passed by at least six of those judges.
Hultholm has been a judge for the past 11 years.
He has raised rabbits since 1999 at his farm north of Holden.
“I primarily raise Rex, which is a short coat breed. Their overcoat and under coat are basically the same length.”
He adds they are also soft to the touch.
While the Rex is his main breed, he adds he has raised different breeds over the years.
“Most judges have raised several breeds because that allows them to get more comfortable with all breeds.”
He said he breeds rabbits because he likes the hobby and the challenge of getting a perfect rabbit.
When judging, he said, there are 52 different breeds worldwide each with their own unique qualities.
A lot of the judging is looking at fur types and quality such as with Angora rabbits. Other things include the look of the ears and the body shape of the rabbits.
At a show like the Wildrose Classic, held last weekend in Bruderheim, they would judge about 15 to 20 different breeds.
Hultholm states that for most of the people showing rabbits it’s a hobby rather than an industry.
“It’s not as popular as, say, raising chickens or cattle,” he said.
When judging an animal the rabbit is picked up and rotated to check them for disqualifications.
That, he said, could occur with a white spot on a black animal, a broken tooth, a broken nail or a tail that may be out of alignment.
“The regulations are pretty stringent. We want to make sure they’re good quality animals.”
He said poses are judged where some might have a more upright pose while others might have their heads on the table depending on the breed of rabbit.
He said in judging commercial animals judge look for large loins because ”that’s where you get the meat from.”
The judges work behind a series of cages where the exhibitors stand on one side of the cage while the animal is being judged.
The judge will explain his findings and explain why the animal is a strong candidate or is disqualified.
Hultholm arrived at the competition early on May 10 and was joined later in the day by judges from Oregon, Texas and Washington. He explained that in Canada rabbit breeding is still treated primarily as a hobby, but in a state like California its more of an industry.
“They just have more people to raise the rabbits and a lot more judges.”
He said in general most judges can judge any breed, but there are specialty licences available for judges who want to concentrate on specific breeds.
That, he adds, is much more common in the US where the industry is so much bigger.
John Mather
Staff Reporter
