Central Texas RC Show Wrap Up

Kiera grooming pretty Chrissy

Boy was it hot on Saturday, but our Angoras had a fun filled day nevertheless! The Central Texas Rabbit Club show in Austin, TX was well-run as usual.  I got to see a lot of my Angora friends...  Danielle and her always beautiful children, Ricardo, Sasha, and Dana. Sasha's lovely English Angoras stayed home this time, but she and her mom brought their Satin Angoras.  There were plenty of Angoras represented ...10 English Angoras, 15 Satin Angoras, and 4 French Angoras. 

Here are the results:

 Show A (Judge Scott Weibensohn)

English Angora BOB - Brian Flading (Defiance's 3rd leg!)

English Angora BOS - Ricardo Gonzalez

French Angora BOB - Michael/Linda Franke

French Angora BOS - Michael/Linda Franke

Satin Angora BOB - Dana Faber

Satin Angora BOS - Dana Faber

 

Show B (Judge Gail Krall)

English Angora BOB - Brian Flading (Defiance again!)

English Angora BOS - Ricardo Gonzalez

French Angora BOB - Michael/Linda Franke

French Angora BOS - Michael/Linda Franke

Satin Angora BOB - Sasha McPherson

Satin Angora BOS - Sasha McPherson

Little Sun & Defiance in the coop

 I felt bad for Defiance's mama, Little Sun.  She came to the show as well and was quite pretty, but was unable to outshine her little girl.  Little Sun got some great comments for wool texture, density, and furnishings.  Her body type just doesn't quite measure up to Defiance, though.  Little Sun is a little long in the shoulder and ever so slightly pinched.  This was the first time they both were shown in a full coat and I could feel good about my decision to breed her to Cimmerian.  Defiance is an improvement over her parents and that is, after all, what it's all about.  I felt fortunate that Defiance got her mother's lovely wool and her father's nicer body type. 

Ricardo cooping his REWs

Other notes from the show included a lesson in using the blower from Ricardo. He has an amazing little Metro QuickDraw blower. I like it much better than my bulkier Metro AF Commander.  Ricardo also helped me learn how to deal with accidental show bunny spayings from cage neighbors and how to clean up your bun (without clipping the wool) if this ever happens...such useful info!  I also practiced feeling body type by putting my hands on almost every one of Ricardo's rabbits.  Thanks, Ricardo!

I also got to see a rabbit's teeth get clipped.  I had never seen that before and I have to say that my friend, Susan, is most skillful.  I hope she made that beautiful bunny a little more comfortable and her human mom's day a little brighter.  

 

Dana, Sasha, and Judge Scott

I must also note that all the judges this weekend gave interesting comments, but as an Angora breeder, Judge Scott was full of some extra useful information.  It was a pleasure to hear his comments and I can't say enough how much I learn every time I show my rabbits...so, if you don't show your rabbits, you don't know what you're missing!         

TRBA State Show Weekend

ARBA Exec. Director Eric Stewart judging BIS on Saturday.

Oh my!  I am completely exhausted from this weekend’s festivities in Belton, but boy did I have fun! There were approximately 24 Angoras entered so that gave us an excellent representation again.  Of course, all my good Angora friends were there.  We even made a few new ones as Dana sold one of her Satin Angora does to a nice central Texas family.  They have an English Angora as well... so, of course, we have to encourage them to bring her to the show table as well. We also had an excellent judge from Oregon (fiber mecca of the U.S.).  She was able to give tips to some of our local judges. Those gentlemen were so receptive and I learned a lot from just listening to her.  Thank you for always looking to learn and teaching me in the process.

Here are the results for Angora folks:

Friday’s Show (Judge Josh Humphries):

English Angora BOB: Kelly F. (Defiance’s leg #2 at 4 months...lucky girl!)

English Angora BOS: Sasha M.

Satin Angora BOB: Dana F.

Satin Angora BOS: Dana F.

Saturday’s Show (Judge Eunita Boatman):

English Angora BOB: Sasha M.

English Angora BOS: Sasha M.

French Angora BOB: Michael and Linda F.

French Angora BOS: Michael and Linda F.

Satin Angora BOB: Dana F.

Satin Angora BOS: Dana F.

Sunday’s Show(Judge Loyd Morgan Jr.):

English Angora BOB: Sasha M.

English Angora BOS: Kelly F. (Cimmerian!)

Satin Angora BOB: Dana F.

Satin Angora BOS: Dana F.

Good friends..what rabbit shows are all about.

Anyhow, it was a long weekend, but I had a blast.  We also had our first Texas Angora Rabbit Club meeting which was a big success.  My favorite part was getting to actually see some the rabbit friends I’ve gotten to know via blogs and Facebook.  I felt like I’ve known them forever, but Saturday was the first time we met. Our new officers/directors are in place and we have started making plans (more on that later) …which I am super excited about.  We’ve managed to gather a great group of folks! I will be our club secretary and hope to do a good job promoting the Angora breeds in our state. 

Thumbs Up for SARBA Show!

Thumbs up for Defiance, too! 

My husband doesn't like rabbits so much, but even he was excited at this weekend's SARBA Show in Seguin.  

Our girl, Defiance, won BOB in Show A!  We were so proud that she was able to win her first leg.  She's our first homegrown rabbit so that made it extra sweet. 

There were Angoras everywhere this weekend and it was so great to see that.  There were 8 English Angoras, 17 Satin Angoras, and 5 French Angoras...Wow! 


Here's the results:

Show A (Judge Mike Withrow)

English Angora BOB: Brian and Kelly F. (Defiance's first leg!)

English Angora BOS: Danielle N.

French Angora BOB: Michael and Linda F.

French Angora BOS: Michael and Linda F. 

Satin Angora BOB: Dana F.

Satin Angora BOS: Dana F.

Show B (Judge Loyd Morgan, Jr.)

English Angora BOB: Sasha M.

English Angora BOS: Danielle N.

French Angora BOB: Michael and Linda F.

French Angora BOS: Michael and Linda F.

Satin Angora BOB: Dana F.

Satin Angora BOB: Dana F.

Dana and Sasha showing how to make yarn.

Sasha and Dana gave a wonderful spinning demonstration.  They gathered quite a crowd and gained a few new Angora fans.  Their demonstration was just a little bit of what the Texas Angora Rabbit Club has planned.  It was exciting to see so many people interested. I got to see Ricardo again who gave me some great feeding tips to help my Angoras grow better.  I practiced pencil drafting with Sasha and Dana brought her Ashford spinning wheel. This was the first time I actually saw one in person.  I have to get one of those!..super cool. 

Danielle and her two pretty English Angoras

I also got to visit with Danielle and her girls again. It was good to see them and how nice their rabbits are developing. Everyone is so friendly and cooperative...a real fellowship of friends working for one goal.  Beat the Standard! What an awesome group of people and...we had a great representation of Angora rabbits.    

Welcome, Defiance!

Defiance...named after one of my son's fave punk bands.

Our little chocolate doe went to her new home a week ago Friday.  After all my years of pet foster care, I'd think it would not be so bittersweet, but it was and always is. I really liked her, but I think she will be quite happy and well taken care of in her new home.

Defiance in the clover
(another good rock band name)

Defiance, well....being defiant.  

So that left me with one thing to do...welcome Defiance to the herd.  


She was my little mystery kit...now she's a pretty lilac pearl.  She's a sweet girl and very people focused.  I've been a little disappointed in her density, though.  When she was next to her sister, it was super obvious. I have noticed that she has been showing some improvement in this area so maybe she is just a late bloomer. Both of her parents are very dense.  She has a nice head and ear set.  Furnishings look good, too.  Overall, I am pleased with how she is developing.  Welcome, little one! 

Victoria Livestock Show WrapUp...and a Sneak Preview

Judge Ken has the honors for Show A...

Ricardo and I cooping our rabbits

I have a fabulous time at this weekend's Victoria Livestock Show.  I was sooo excited to see the Angora breeds well represented.  That was the most I had seen at a Texas open show. There were at least 5 exhibitors with 13 (8 EA, 5 SA)...count 'em 13 beautiful Angora rabbits.

As far as EA folks, I got to see Danielle and her girls again.  Their REW girl, Chrissy, was looking beautiful as always.  Danielle's girls had a precious little chocolate junior buck as well.  

Sasha came with her stellar REW, Indy...who won his junior class at the ARBA 2011 Convention in...you guessed it, Indy :)  She had some a couple of her beautiful does, chocolate Stormy and lilac Bunny Foo Foo. 

Ricardo came down with his wonderful REW girl as well.  He shared some wonderful advice about breeding for convention that completely (and happily) changed my upcoming plans...so thanks, Ricardo!

Dana also brought some gorgeous Satin Angoras that...when they weren't trying to sell themselves right out from under her...showed quality breeding.  Of course, she brought my "bunny crush" obsession, Romeo,and some outstanding juniors.

Beautiful Angoras... as far as the eye can see.

I bought Cimmerian (although not in full coat) and my hubby's junior lilac pearl doe, Defiance. Mr. Biggles came along for the ride.  I brought him so Sasha could put her hands on him.  I want to start a broken EA line with Mr. B as the herd buck.  As suspected, Mr. Biggles is worthy of such a task.  I've just got to find the right doe.

Sasha gave us a pencil drafting lesson.  We all sat on the floor in Danielle's area and watched Sasha turn Chrissy's white fluff into beautiful angora yarn.  I can't wait to try what she taught us...maybe that Hershey scarf wouldn't seem like such a far off project :)

Ricardo passed on some of his grooming knowledge while we watched him trim up a bunny.  I got another grooming tool idea from Sasha and Dana reminded me of a fantastic anti-static Angora tip learned at Convention.  DH was kind enough to go to the store and pick some up for us for Show B.   Yay, for no fly-away haired bunnies!

Here's the show results:

Show A

English Angora BOB - Sasha M.  REW Buck

English Angora BOS - Danielle N. REW Doe

Satin Angora BOB - Dana F. Red Buck

Satin Angora BOS - Dana F. Tortoiseshell Doe

Show B

English Angora BOB - Ricardo G.  REW Doe

English Angora BOS - Sasha M. REW Buck

Satin Angora BOB - Dana F. Red Buck

Satin Angora BOS - Dana F. Tortoiseshell Doe

We made a nice crowd at the judging table.

Great job, everyone!  It was so nice to see so many fine animals representing our breeds. On a side note, I was so pleased that Defiance won her class in Show A.  I am excited to see how she develops when she's old enough to compete with the big girls.  Cimmerian got BOV in Show A. Sasha's lilac doe won BOV in Show B, but there was no beating the REWs today...very fine rabbits :)

Anyhow, I had sooo much fun!   BUT the most exciting news was the organization of an new club.  We've decided to share our Angora fun with the world (or at least Texas...which for Texans, IS the world) and form the...

 Texas Angora Rabbit Club!!

...an Angora club for all Texas Angora fans...show, fiber, or companion animals!  It's an exciting time for us Angora folks.  I'll have more details in another post, but I couldn't completely keep a lid on it.  If you are interested in staying up to date in our development process, please contact me at: thekelflaproject (at) gmail.com. We'll will put you on the email list for TARC so you can be kept up to date about information such as our organizational meeting, educational workshops, etc. Of course, I'll be posting info here as well. Shortly, we'll have our TARC blog where you can follow as well.  But beware......Angoras are addicting ;)

Oh, yes.  I definitely have some work to do for my show polls.  Completely my fault.  I waited super late to post it due to my own silly illness.  Many thanks to those who took the time to answer it :) I'll get on the ball for the next one!
    

Growing Up Angora

Tricky Exposure, but I love that chocolate face!

Cimmerian and Little Sun's kits are growing up.  They're seven weeks old now and so sweet.  I can't believe how much they've grown!

Okay, don't move...

They just got their tattoos for February's show...and I confirmed that they are both does (silly me...doubting myself).

I thought I'd try to get a few pictures before they get too much bigger since I've been slipping on my "photograph the kits each week" plan. It was a big tricky with the exposure and finding the right color background, since one was dark and one kit was light, but...like Goldilocks, eventually they came out just right...or at least better.  I was surprised at how still everyone was for their session....natural posers and very patient bunnies :) However, that meant that I ended up with about thirty pictures of what look like the same picture.  

How long do we have to sit like this?

Anyhow, I've been putting them on the grooming table so they get used to it, but they're so laid back that they just sprawl out like it's naptime...which is exactly like their mother.  What a change from the Kelly/Hershey wrestling match that goes on when I put Hershey on the grooming table!  I really have to show that bunny who's the boss, but I like her diva ways so much that I sometimes just let her run amuck. 

I really love the chocolate one's ears and typey body, but I also really like the pearl's flashy color and sweet demeanor. Both bunnies have excellent crimp, too. I'm excited to see how they develop. Decisions, decisions...

Until she gets it right...ugh. 

Baby Pictures...with video

Just a couple pictures of Little Sun and the babies. We are enjoying them so much. They have begun nibbling on hay and oats. I have a cute video of Little Sun nursing the little ones, but can't seem to upload it now. Rats! I'll keep trying, but long overdue Christmas shopping and family visits outrank me playing on my blog :) SO..... It might have to wait. Hope everyone has a joyous holiday season. Be safe out there and enjoy what God has given us. Merry Christmas!

OK, I finally got that video uploaded. Here is Little Sun nursing her babies.

What color am I?

So I had this little mystery kit...

11 days old

3 days old

Cooperative bunny

Sorry...doing this one-handed.  

15 Days Old

 who has sable, smoke pearl, lilac pearl, REW, a variety of torts and an assortment of self colors in her pedigree.

Dam is lilac tort.
Sire is black.

I have asked my buddies, asked my FB friends (the English Angora ones), and posted on Rabbit_Genetics group.  I have one answer for almost every possibility so far...that pesky C locus!  I originally wanted to focus on blacks, but I am liking the puzzle (and the color) so far.

I'm not the best photographer so I've started over from scratch and took more pics with a black background and full spectrum lighting.

I thought it was a lilac pearl at first.  I had it on some mighty good authority that it looks like chocolate pearl (depending on camera lighting), but there were some pretty knowledgeable votes for lilac tort as well.  In real life, the kit's body was not really orangey-beige enough for lilac tort, though.  BUT, it does have chinchilla light in its background so pearl was a real possibility.  I thought the kit was one of the pearls (angora term for sable point)...I just was not sure which one.  Rats!  So I had to wait for it to grow a bit.
     
So...after Terri on the FB English Angora Breeders page passed along this great kit color ID site...
Northeast Lionhead Kit Color Guide Plus
and checking out this link about a similarly colored angora on another web site Wenut Angoras Kit Lilac Point/Cream, I think we've finally got it.

THE VERDICT:  
CHOCOLATE PEARL! ....OK, I was really a LILAC PEARL...go figure :)

Kits!....and I have papers to write.

Cimmerian x Little Sun: Kits of Distraction

Hi there, Little Sun! How've ya been these
last say...3 minutes?!

This week has been a hectic week.  All my papers/presentations are due and finals have begun.  Two months ago when I decided that a litter of EAs were in order, I knew that this week would be a bit of a collision.  Back then I felt like I would be firmly in control.  However, I failed to take into account the lure of kits in a nestbox.  Little Sun and Cimmerian's breeding brought two new kits into our little world.  Those pesky little beings occupy much of my thinking this week...what colors are they? what sex are they? are they still OK? I'd better go check...the list goes on.  My Google-ing expeditions have reached a fever pitch.  Of course, I am OK with that ever expanding "quest for knowledge", but what about those other quests that I am usually equally fascinated with...like learning PHP for my spring semester special project, honing my web developing skills with a now dusty edition of Flux, finishing those two research papers and one presentation?  How those once loved pet projects pale against the sweet chirp of baby bunnies!  I try to regain focus, but really...those other things do not have a chance.

Hmmm...maybe this was NOT such a good idea...

My ever wonderful DH decided he would help me regain focus by setting up Facetime on my Mac and his iPhone so I could keep an eye on Little Sun without getting up from my computer.  How wonderful! I wish I had taken a pic of her when she was at the front of the pen trying to reach my voice.  She was sooo cute!  HOWEVER, I am not sure it had his intended effect of more productivity.    

         THE SCORE:

     Bunnies 1, Schoolwork 0                                                                                

      GO BUNNIES!!

                                                                                   Now seriously, I've got to go write those papers...