Junior Section
This is our junior section which contains articles and photographs from some of our junior members.
THE DAVY SISTERS
Louise (15), Julie (12) and Katie (9)
Louise (15), Julie (12) and Katie (9)
Eight years ago (2006) we decided we wanted a pet rabbit after seeing them each year at the Suffolk show. Our parents said we could have two and then we would be able to ‘do something with them’. Of course it was then very difficult to decide what breed we wanted, as we each liked different ones. That year when we went to the show again we looked around and saw a beautiful Orange Standard Rex, which I instantly fell in love with. After enquiring, we found out it belonged to Mrs P Gaskin, who was very helpful in explaining all about showing rabbits and Orange Rex, although she did talk us out of going for the standards as they would be large to handle, so she suggested Mini Rex. We were very fortunate in having met Mr and Mrs Gaskin as they located a buck for us. After seeing an advertisement in the fur and feather our grandma went down to Swindon and got us two does. So we all had a rabbit each.
We then went out to the Stonham Barns show with two of our rabbits, and that was where we discovered there would be sibling rivalry, Julie won.
We then joined the BRC and started breeding and showing our own stock. We went to a number of different shows in different places and gradually began to make friends. Our rabbits were improving and we were getting more involved by stewarding.
In 2009, only a year after we started showing, to our great delight, Julie won best in show in the ‘Eastern Counties Rex’ at the Suffolk Agricultural Show.
Later that year we were approached by Mr Eric Gaskin and asked if we would like to become committee members for the ‘Central Suffolk Rabbit and Cavy Fanciers’, to which we agreed. After a while our family began to take on more responsibility within the club, my mum has taken on the role of Show Secretary with me as her assistant and my dad is the Chairman. Preparing for a show takes great teamwork from the whole family.
Since starting showing, my sisters and I have begun to show our own colours of mini rex to reduce the confusion of whose rabbits where whose when it came to the babies!
Julie is now showing Siamese seals and sables, Katie, Oranges and Ermines and myself Oranges and fawns (and also a few Tri-coloured English).
We have each had our turn of winning something since beginning showing...
· Eastern Counties Rex at the Suffolk Show – Best In Show –May2009, Orange– Julie
· BRC Junior of the Year 3rd place – Louise
· Southern Championship Show- Best Junior - May 2012, Orange – Katie
· National Orange and fawn at London – Best In Show – October 2012, Orange – Louise
· BRC Junior of the Year 2nd place – Louise
· Eastern Counties Rex at the Suffolk Show – Best In Show- June 2013, Orange – Katie
· BRC Junior of the Year 2nd place - Louise
And multiple best juniors at local shows.
We all thoroughly enjoy showing, stewarding and Julie and I love book stewarding! So last year when we were given the opportunity to learn to judge with the British Mini Rex we took it and have really enjoyed it!
Previously Eddie Hutchings had judged a Central Suffolk Box Show and encouraged me to have a little go at judging the variety of breeds there, whilst the whole of the hall gathered round to watch what was going on. Since then I have hoped to become a judge along with my younger sisters.
On September 15th I judged my first ever rabbit show at Colchester. It was an extremely tiring day but a fantastic experience, however without my previous mentoring from Eddie Hutchings and help from Ray Everitt my book steward (we were both a little out of our comfort zones!) I would have found even more challenging. There were several different breeds I had never really seen before, so I was thankful that Mr Tapscott (my maths teacher) embarrassed me in front of my maths class by testing me on some of the rarer breeds I hadn’t looked at! I am definitely looking forward to judging the Essex Champs Junior COM show in April and will jump at any other opportunities I get!
Finally, we would all like to thank everyone who has helped and inspired us throughout our showing, from starting out to now and hopefully we will continue to help others as they helped and inspired us!
By Louise Davy
We then went out to the Stonham Barns show with two of our rabbits, and that was where we discovered there would be sibling rivalry, Julie won.
We then joined the BRC and started breeding and showing our own stock. We went to a number of different shows in different places and gradually began to make friends. Our rabbits were improving and we were getting more involved by stewarding.
In 2009, only a year after we started showing, to our great delight, Julie won best in show in the ‘Eastern Counties Rex’ at the Suffolk Agricultural Show.
Later that year we were approached by Mr Eric Gaskin and asked if we would like to become committee members for the ‘Central Suffolk Rabbit and Cavy Fanciers’, to which we agreed. After a while our family began to take on more responsibility within the club, my mum has taken on the role of Show Secretary with me as her assistant and my dad is the Chairman. Preparing for a show takes great teamwork from the whole family.
Since starting showing, my sisters and I have begun to show our own colours of mini rex to reduce the confusion of whose rabbits where whose when it came to the babies!
Julie is now showing Siamese seals and sables, Katie, Oranges and Ermines and myself Oranges and fawns (and also a few Tri-coloured English).
We have each had our turn of winning something since beginning showing...
· Eastern Counties Rex at the Suffolk Show – Best In Show –May2009, Orange– Julie
· BRC Junior of the Year 3rd place – Louise
· Southern Championship Show- Best Junior - May 2012, Orange – Katie
· National Orange and fawn at London – Best In Show – October 2012, Orange – Louise
· BRC Junior of the Year 2nd place – Louise
· Eastern Counties Rex at the Suffolk Show – Best In Show- June 2013, Orange – Katie
· BRC Junior of the Year 2nd place - Louise
And multiple best juniors at local shows.
We all thoroughly enjoy showing, stewarding and Julie and I love book stewarding! So last year when we were given the opportunity to learn to judge with the British Mini Rex we took it and have really enjoyed it!
Previously Eddie Hutchings had judged a Central Suffolk Box Show and encouraged me to have a little go at judging the variety of breeds there, whilst the whole of the hall gathered round to watch what was going on. Since then I have hoped to become a judge along with my younger sisters.
On September 15th I judged my first ever rabbit show at Colchester. It was an extremely tiring day but a fantastic experience, however without my previous mentoring from Eddie Hutchings and help from Ray Everitt my book steward (we were both a little out of our comfort zones!) I would have found even more challenging. There were several different breeds I had never really seen before, so I was thankful that Mr Tapscott (my maths teacher) embarrassed me in front of my maths class by testing me on some of the rarer breeds I hadn’t looked at! I am definitely looking forward to judging the Essex Champs Junior COM show in April and will jump at any other opportunities I get!
Finally, we would all like to thank everyone who has helped and inspired us throughout our showing, from starting out to now and hopefully we will continue to help others as they helped and inspired us!
By Louise Davy
JUNIOR GALLERY
