Tulamore Farm & Rabbitry

September 26th finally came and I headed off for the much anticipated Delmarva Rabbit & Cavy Breeders Assn. show at a new facility in Easton, MD. Not only was this a double show, there were specialties for all three of our breeds: Angoras, Dwarf Hotots and Flemish Giants. The  girls were anxious to see how the Flemish would do at their first show since last spring and Annie wanted to  get her DH Will out to see if he could get that elusive 3rd leg. Mordred and Spidey also came in with 2 legs. So entries went in for 5 angoras, 3 Flemish Giants and 3 Dwarf Hotots - double show and specialties. I thought I could handle things by myself at least for a while but when we figured out what time the girls would get there after soccer games, I realized that they would not get there until nearly the end. Never again! Throughout the day it seemed that all 3 breeds were judged at the same time. Thank goodness for the wonderful and helpful rabbit friends that helped make sure the McGraw rabbits got where they needed to go. Thanks to Dru and Thevee, Joyce and Marilyn and Margaret, and my favorite youth Flemish breeder Amanda. I could hardly remember my own name by the end of the day. Even with all of my personal confusion, this was a very well run show and the show committee and specialty secretaries were welcoming and helpful.

Another reason this show was special is that we were going to visit my sister and brother-in-law at their new home just south of Easton. We don't get to see each other often so any time we can spend together is a good time. I was somewhat surprised when my sister told me they bought a house in Maryland. They are long-time North Carolina residents and in recent years have spent a good amount of time at their townhouse in Alexandria, VA - taking full advantage of the cultural experiences that area has to offer.  Their new home is beautiful and I'm sure they are looking forward to spending many healthy and happy years there. (And that we get to visit often!)

I'm going to go right to the highlights of the show: in Show A my good friend Dru Shepherd won 1st Reserve in Show with her beautiful tort EA GC Shepherd's Sweet Pea (she's Tinker Toy's sister). And then, after I had gone, in Show B Dru and Sweet Pea won BEST IN SHOW! I am thrilled for both of them! Since I began showing angoras, Dru has set the standard. Not only does Dru put outstanding quality rabbits on the table, they are impeccably groomed, especially well cared for and are all very special to Dru. Last year, at this same show, I had gone home early and Dru won BIS with Sullivan - I'll have to remember not to wait for Dru to go up for Best in Show in the future! Dru honored Sullivan by wearing a beautiful scarf made from his wool!

Dru with GC Shepherd's Sweet Pea and her 1st Reserve in Show trophy

To tell the truth, I am not positive about all the results for the 11 rabbits that I brought, so here's what I remember. Annie's boys did well with DH Will winning his sr buck class in all 3 shows and family favorite FG Nick placed second in all three shows to an outstanding sandy buck in very large sr. buck classes. This may have been Nick's last show. He is 4 years old and has done all he needs to do. He has the best show record of any rabbit we have ever shown and Annie feels he deserves a nice quiet life. We did, finally, find a sandy jr. doe for friend Jennifer. Thanks to Stephen and Bill of the Hoppitry, a beautiful 5-month-old doe is now residing here in MD. We're anxious to get Jennifer to a couple shows - I think she'll do very well with this gorgeous doe. And then, maybe a rendezvous with Nicky. The DH sisters, Mordred and Spidey placed in the top half of their very large sr. doe classes - I think 3 & 4, and 4 & 5. I have to admit I missed most of their shows. Shaun the light gray FG placed second in all 3 shows, and again, I missed most of it (thanks Amanda for handling this). Lt gray jr doe Jules had an excellent day placing 1st of 5 or 6 in two shows and (again I will refrain from comment) 2nd in the last show.

I am waiting for the show report to make sure I am correct about the angora placings. Delilah was up against the beautiful Sweet Pea and this was Sweet Pea's day. I think Tommy was BOS in 2 shows, and that's about all I can remember. Old Age! A lowlight of the day was not finding the time to give Dru the photo shoot I had promised - hold those coats Dru and I'll get up with my camera!

So the high points of the day were Dru's big wins and spending time with my family and my sister at her new home, not to mention the excellent dinner on the water in Oxford. October is a very busy month for my family and we will not be able to attend any shows until the Carroll Co. and Baltimore/Howard shows in November. Enjoy the great fall weather!

Dru and Thevee during Show A Best in Show judging. See Dru's scarf? That is made from her Sullivan's wool - he won BIS at this show last year!

I don't know who this little guy is but he is just the cutest little thing I have seen in a long time.