Downloads

For a COMPLETE, downloadable version of the catalog,select the 2024-Rabbit-Cavy-USF file above.

Important Deadlines

Market Rabbit Declarations

Deadline: August 7th, 2024

1. Youth exhibitors shall have ownership of rabbit entries for a minimum of 30 days prior to the day of the show. 

2. Entry declaration forms must be completed through Zsuite registration:

4-H Declarations: https://4h.zsuite.org/event-registrations/30650 

FFA Declarations: https://4h.zsuite.org/external-event-registration/30650 

Entry Deadlines

Deadline: Tuesday, September 3rd at 11:59 p.m.

Entry Fee: $5.00 - $7.00 per entry

1. Market Rabbit Show, Rabbit Skillathon, and Rabbit Showmanship enter via Zsuite.

a. 4-H Members: https://4h.zsuite.org/event-registrations/30649 

b. FFA and Non-4-H-Adults: https://4h.zsuite.org/external-event-registration/30649 

2. ARBA Sanctioned Shows enter online via www.easy2show.com. This includes Breed Specialties Friday and Triple Youth/Open Saturday

a. If you need help entering, our superintendent created a video that can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/jwn7NuttrPUZzYVu/ 

3. Email jessie.hadfield@usu.edu if you have questions about registering.

4. Late entries for rabbits will not be accepted, no exceptions. 

5. Showmanship and Skillathon entries may enter by 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 6th. Late entries are $10 per exhibitor.

Show Schedule

Thursday September 5th

Early check-in and educational displays. 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. (by appointment)

Friday September 6th

Vehicles allowed on site for drop-off. 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Check-in. 7:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Showmanship & Skillathon. 10:00 a.m.

Market Rabbit Show 11:00 a.m. (or directly following showmanship)

Check-in (walk in only) 11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Breed Specialties -- 4:00 p.m. or directly following Market Rabbit Show

· Battle of   the Lops (lop breeds)

· Battle of   the Meat Rabbits (commercial breeds)

· Battle of   the Woolies (wooled breeds)

· King of   Rabbits (Rex)

· Team   Sheen (Satin & Mini Satin)

Check-in 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (by appointment)

Saturday September 7th

Vehicles allowed on site for drop-off  7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Check-in 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Rabbit Show (breed order posted at check-in) 9:00 a.m.

Check-Out by appointment

Sunday, September 8th

Vehicles allowed on site for pick-up 7:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

Meet Your Judges

I am Terry Fender from Lynchburg, OH. I received my judges license in 1990. I am the current ARBA District 8 Director, a Purina Rabbit Ambassador, and President of the Lima RBA. I’d like to encourage our young people to enjoy the hobby while also learning, take time to help one another, and thank their parents for what they do to help. Do their best to be prompt to the table, give the judge good eye contact, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Kristi Adeleke lives in Cypress, TX- just outside of Houston and she is originally from Ohio. She has been an ARBA judge for 11 years. Kristi’s judging pet peeve is rabbits being shows with untrimmed toenails (ouch)! Her best advice for junior exhibitors is to be curious and ask a ton of questions to breeders and judges. We love helping kids who want to learn!

I am Nina Menard from Richland, WA…on the dry desert side, not the rainy green side of the Cascade Mountains. I started with rabbits as a kid. My parents and grandparents had a commercial sized rabbitry raising white New Zealand for meat and fur. After a hiatus of many years, I became involved with rabbits once again with my 2 daughters through 4-H and the American Rabbit Breeders Association. I have been a judge since 2019 and currently raise Beverens (white and blue) and Blue Holicers. Previously I raised French Angoras, American Chinchillas, Jersey Woolys and Silvers.  One of the things that I look for in judging is a clean, well-cared for rabbit with no mats, no stained fur, and trimmed toenails. I will place a rabbit that shows it is not being cared for near the bottom of a class even if its type might be better. My best advice for youth is to take care of your rabbits, make sure it is well groomed and healthy especially before you show your rabbit.

Market Rabbit Show and Sale

The Utah 4-H and FFA Market Rabbit Project is new starting in 2024 and is completed in collaboration with the Utah State Fair Market Rabbit Show and Sale. This project is a short-term junior livestock project that helps youth develop the same fundamental life skills of our large livestock projects. Market rabbits come with far less of the financial and spatial requirements that can make large livestock projects inaccessible. 

Entry Fee is $5 per exhibitor and $2 per additional rabbit entry.

Eligibility

1. The Utah 4-H Market Rabbit show is open to Utah 4-H and      FFA members in good standing. We welcome out of state participants,      however out-of-state participant project animals will be exhibition only      and will not be eligible for the sale.
2. The market rabbit project is considered “small stock”   and is for youth as young as 5 years old and in      kindergarten. Cloverbud project animals will be exhibition only and will      not be eligible for the sale.

Rules and Regulations

1. Youth exhibitors shall have ownership of rabbit entries      for a minimum of 30 days prior to the day of the show.      County extension staff or FFA advisors will be responsible for verifying      ownership. For the Utah State Fair, this declaration deadline is AUGUST      7th, 2024. 
2. Entry declaration forms must be completed through      Zsuite registration:

· System Registration Link (must be logged into ZSuite to go to the registration page): https://4h.zsuite.org/event-registrations/30650 

· External Registration Link (must be logged out of ZSuite to go to the registration page): https://4h.zsuite.org/external-event-registration/30650 

1. Eligible project animals are rabbits 4 - 8 weeks at the      time of declaration (30 days before the show). 
2. All rabbits exhibited must be tattooed in the left ear      in order for the declaration to be completed. The tattoo needs to be      permanent. Permanent marker will not be accepted. 
3. Rabbits do not need to be purebred or pedigreed, but      should be of commercial meat rabbit type.
4. All colors and meat rabbit breeds are accepted.
5. Exhibitors may declare up to 4 rabbits for the market      rabbit project and will register and exhibit 2 at the fair. 
6. Meat pens (pens of 3 rabbits) can be can be entered and      exhibited by chartered 4-H clubs and FFA chapters. Grand and Reserve meat      pens are eligible for the sale with proceeds returning to the      club/chapter. Meat Pen rabbits should not be entered as individual fryers under      one exhibitor. 

Sale

1. Grand and Reserve Fryers and Grand and Reserve Meat Pens will sell and are exempt from the following rules.

Sale Order

After the Grand and Reserve Fryers and Meat Pens (a total of 8 rabbits) sell, up to 42 additional participant entries meeting the following criteria will be able to sell.

2. Only blue ribbon animals will sell

3. Only one project animal, per exhibitor, may sell (unless one exhibitor wins both grand and reserve)

4. Youth exhibitors must participate in Showmanship or the Skill-a-thon

5. Exhibitors must be in 3rd grade and 8 years old at the time their project starts (30 days prior to the show).

Classes – Market Rabbit Show

· All breeds including crosses and non-recognized rabbit varieties acceptable as long as they fit the size requirements and are of market rabbit variety. If you have questions about acceptability of your rabbit project, please contact the show superintendent.

Fryers

· 10 – 12 weeks

· 3.5 – 5.5 pounds

· Judging Criteria: meat type, condition of flesh, fur

Meat Pens

· Three market rabbit fryers as uniform as possible including size, sex, and color. Meat pens are entered by a club leader or FFA chapter advisor. 

· Judging Criteria: uniformity, meat type, condition of flesh, fur

Showmanship & Skillathon

Rabbit showmanship is a contest to showcase a 4-H or FFA member knowledge of rabbits. It also includes the ability to handle and show the rabbit according to the American Rabbit Breeders Association breed standard, and the rabbit's cleanliness and condition. 

Showmanship scorecards are found here: https://extension.usu.edu/utah4h/files/Utah4H-RabbitShowmanshipScorecard.pdf 

The Skillathon contest is a fun, interactive event that makes learning fun by letting 4-H and FFA members exhibit their knowledge and understanding of animal science and husbandry in a friendly but competitive setting. Full rules for the Small Animal Skillathon can be found here: https://extension.usu.edu/utah4h/files/SmallAnimal-Livestock-SkillAThon-2024.pdf

For the Utah State Fair, the Skillathon contest will forgo the Demonstration portion and will instead include a showmanship demonstration. Youth may choose to participate in Showmanship only, but all Skillathon participants will complete a showmanship presentation. 

Entry Fee is $5 per exhibitor if registered by September 3rd, at 11:59 p.m. Late entries are accepted until 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 6th and are $10 each. 

Educational Displays/Presentations

Youth and adult exhibitors that set up an educational display will receive a parking pass and additional fair tickets. All youth are encouraged to create an educational poster related to rabbits or cavies to display in the show barn. Awards will be given to the best poster. 

Rubric and Guidelines for Educational Posters can be found in the download version.

If you are interested in setting up an educational display or presentations for extra parking passes or tickets, please email jessie.hadfield@usu.edu. 

ARBA Sanctioned Show

This year we are excited to offer a full slate of Specialty Classes on Friday, September 6th as well as a Triple Youth/Open show Saturday September 7th.

Sanction Numbers

Friday *coming soon

Saturday

Youth

XYA0005

XYA0006

XYA0007

Open

XOA0002

XOA0003

XOA0004

A list of currently sanctioned breeds can be found on the Beehive State RBA Events page on Facebook as well.

Specialty Shows

Judged by Kristi Adeleke

These shows are an opportunity for enthusiasts to compete in an additional show. These are sanctioned shows by ARBA. The Breed Specialties will start in the order listed at 4:00 p.m or directly following the Market Rabbit Show on Friday, September 6th. A “Best Lop”, “Best Meat Rabbit”, etc., will be awarded from each show.

Breed Specialties

• Battle of the Lops (lop breeds)

• Battle of the Meat Rabbits (commercial breeds)

• Battle of the Woolies (wooled breeds)

• King of Rabbits (Rex)

• Team Sheen (Satin & Mini Satin)

Triple Open/Youth 

Judged by Kristi Adeleke, Nina Menard, and Terry Fender

These shows are an opportunity to get rabbits evaluated three times by three different qualified judges. Youth participants must choose to compete as either a youth or open exhibitor and cannot compete in both. 

Rules and Regulations 

1. The Beehive State Rabbit Breeders Association Fall Show is an official ARBA sanctioned show and will be governed by the latest revised ARBA Show Rules. Filing of an entry implies acceptance of these and the following rules.

2. This is a collaborative, educational event in partnership with Utah 4-H, Utah State University Extension, and the Utah State Fair. Youth do not need to be registered members of 4-H or FFA to compete.

3. Entries are due via easy2show.com by 11:59 p.m. (central) on Tuesday, September 3rd. No late entries will be accepted, no exceptions. 

4. All exhibitors will receive an entry confirmation. If you do not receive a confirmation, you are not entered in the shows. When you receive it, it is your responsibility to check it carefully and submit any changes by the end of the day Thursday, September 5th. Ear number changes only may be made on the day of show.

5. Exhibitors are responsible for any ear change substitutions in the same variety, sex, or class. Changes must be legibly made on the control sheets prior to judging. NO changes will be allowed for breed, variety, sex and class – these changes will result in disqualification.

6. All rabbits must have a clear, legible permanent ear tattoo in their left ear. All cavies must be permanently ear tagged in the left ear.

7. The Beehive State RBA will tattoo rabbits Friday or Saturday morning before judging begins for a fee of $2 per rabbit. Club members receive this service free of charge. Please contact a member of the show committee to set up an appointment for this service.

8. Exhibitors are responsible for getting their rabbits to and from the judging tables. No classes will be recalled.

9. The show committee reserves the right to reject any entry and shall decide upon any question which are not covered by the show rules.

10. No one will be allowed behind the show tables except for those authorized by the show committee.

11. Parents or guardians will be held responsible for their children’s behavior during the show and will be held liable for any damages caused by them. 

12. All event participants including family members and associates will exhibit good sportsmanship at all times. Every exhibitor, family member and associate of exhibitor, is required to follow the Utah 4-H and Utah FFA Code of Conduct including:

• Have positive character and behavior

• Follow guidelines and rules

• Be responsive to reasonable requests of show management and event staff

• Be respectful of the safety of others

• Dress appropriately, use appropriate language, and respect the rights of others

• Be respectful of property

• Do not behave recklessly, assault, threaten, or harm another person

• Be aware that abuse of animals or people of any kind by any member or associate will be cause for disqualification of the exhibitor.

13. No alcoholic beverages, smoking, or other animals (except rabbits & cavies) will be allowed in the showroom. No DOGS allowed, except service animals.

14. All sale rabbits and cavies must be at least 8 weeks old and a minimum weight for their respective breed.

15. No sales of merchandise will be allowed without previous arrangements. 

16. All awards must be picked up by the end of the show. No awards will be mailed.

17. All rabbits are entered at the owners’ risk. Every precaution will be taken to safeguard and minimize hazards, losses, and mistakes, but the show personnel, judges, and event volunteers are not responsible for injury or death to any animal.

Arrival

Vehicle Drop Off

7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. each day (prior to the fair opening).

Enter through gate 17 off of 300 North and 1200 West. You will follow the road around the rodeo arena, past the big yellow slide, and along the far west side of the park until you reach the Market Building. The Market Building is the first brick building after the carnival and is just past the Little Hands on the Farm display. 

Walk In Drop Off

7:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. or by appointment

You can enter through any gate, but gate 14 is closest to the Market Building. Park on either lot off of North Temple (will need to pay for parking the first day) and follow the signs to the gate for entry.

Upon arrival, check-in at the registration desk for your exhibitor packet and coop assignments.

Departure

Vehicle Pick Up

Tentatively 9:00 – 10:00 p.m. Saturday

7:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Sunday (prior to the fair opening).

Enter through gate 17 off of 300 North and 1200 West. You will follow the road around the rodeo arena, past the big yellow slide, and along the far west side of the park until you reach the Market Building. The Market Building is the first brick building after the carnival and is just past the Little Hands on the Farm display. 

Walk In Pick Up

By appointment

You can enter through any gate, but gate 14 is closest to the Market Building. Park on either lot off of North Temple (will need to pay for parking the first day) and follow the signs to the gate for entry.

No animal will be allowed to leave the building without a check-out slip signed by our show superintendent and designated show staff.

At A Glance & Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the show being held?

The show will be at the Utah State Fair in the Market Building.

The fair's address is 155 N 1000 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84116

What is the cost?

Entry fees are $5-$7.

Showmanship and the Small Animal Skillathon entries are $5 per exhibitor.

The Market Rabbit show has an exhibitor fee of $5 per participant, with $2 per entry.

*note showmanship and skillathon late fees are $10 the day of the show

What is the date and time of the show?

There will be two dates. On Friday, September 6, 2024, we will have 4-H and FFA contests including Showmanship/Skillathon, the youth and adult Market Rabbit Show, and to round out the day, 5 different specialty shows. Saturday, September 7, 2024, we will have a triple open and triple youth show. The events start at 10:00 a.m. Friday and 9:00 a.m. Saturday.

Who should we contact with questions?

For general questions about the fair or entries, please email our superintendent: jessie.hadfield@usu.edu

For questions about the ARBA sanctioned shows or the east2show entry system, email our show secretary: sophierindles@gmail.com 

How do we register?

1. Market Rabbit Show, Rabbit Skillathon, and Rabbit Showmanship enter via Zsuite.

a. 4-H Members: https://4h.zsuite.org/event-registrations/30649 

b. FFA and Non-4-H-Adults: https://4h.zsuite.org/external-event-registration/30649 

2. ARBA Sanctioned Shows enter online via www.easy2show.com. This includes Breed Specialties Friday and Triple Youth/Open Saturday

Will the show be inside or outside?

The show will be inside. There is a swamp cooler and we will have fans to help keep the animals comfortable. 

Who are the judges for the rabbits?

Kristi Adeleke (TX)

Nina Menard (WA)

Terry Fender (OH)

Will we have to pay to enter the Utah State Fair for the show?

Each exhibitor will receive 2 entry tickets for the day of the show. Exhibitors with 10 or more entries (individual or combined families) will also receive a parking pass. A parking pass does not guarantee parking. Exhibitors that would like to bring an educational poster or demonstration will also be eligible for a parking pass. Email jessie.hadfield@usu.edu if you interested in this option!

How do exhibitors get tickets?

Exhibitor packets will be available at check-in. They should be able to enter with their rabbits without paying and then will need their tickets to return to the fairgrounds.

Can rabbits be left in the fair over night? Is the building secure at night?

The building is locked and secured every night. There is on-site security as well. 

When can exhibitors/animals leave?

The Utah State Fair has requested that we keep our animals on display throughout the fair. However, we know that is not always possible. If you need to leave throughout the day, please make prior arrangements with show staff. No animals will be allowed to leave the building without a check-out slip. Vehicles may or may notbe allowed on the grounds for pick-up before the fair closes. It depends on foot traffic and will be evaluated day to day. In general, animals will be free to go at 7:00 p.m., and vehicles allowed on the grounds at 9:00 p.m. each night. 

Will my rabbits be staying in their transport cages or will Utah State Fair provide cages for the rabbits to be in during the show? 

There will be exhibition cages for the rabbits while they are at the fair. Carrying/travel cages and supplies may be stored under the tables. Display cages are bedded with shavings provided by Utah State Fair Sponsors. If you would prefer to not have shavings, it is the exhibitor’s responsibility to clean their coops and provide alternatives to keeping their areas clean. 

What are the food options?

There are a large variety of food vendors at the fair. You can find a list at the Utah State Fair website! Exhibitors are invited to bring coolers with their own drinks and snacks if they would like.

Where can exhibitors “set up camp” and grooming stations?

We need to keep the aisles clear so there will be no grooming or “camping” allowed in the aisles of the show. Stations will be set up around the show room on a first-come-first-serve basis where exhibitors can set up their camp chairs, grooming tables, etc. There is a large tent outside the arena that will also have shady areas to lounge or take animals for grooming.

Things to bring:

Rabbit/cavy food, feeders, and waterers.

Camp chairs, coolers with snacks/drinks, and activities to keep yourselves entertained.

Are other non-rabbit/cavy animals allowed?

Only ADA service dogs are allowed. Any dog that is barking and/or misbehaving will be asked to leave.

101th ARBA Convention

2024 ARBA National Convention Louisville, Kentucky October 26-30,     2024

https://www.kyarbaconvention.com

Official ARBA & ACBA Information