ASHLAND — The swine pavilion hummed Monday morning as seven more youngsters earned crowns at the second day of the Ashland Junior Fair.
But the commotion didn’t come in the form of pig squeals — it came from the purring of rabbits and questioning of American Rabbit Breeders Association judges.
Allison Cawrse, 17, took the senior showmanship title with “Buddy,” her Netherland Dwarf senior buck rabbit.
Brayden Kinter won best in show with his French Lop senior doe.
“It feels good,” Cawrse said, a Loudonville High School student.
Monday’s trophy is not the first in her case. She has a couple of other first-place finishes over her eight-year career.
Judges Kevin Bogan and Chris Hayhow considered the students’ general knowledge of rabbits, including the breed’s size and weight and other identifying qualities. There were seven classes during the rabbit show, each representing an age group. Two of the classes were designated for first-year showers.
With around 60 entrants, the rabbit showmanship competition is stiff — and the judging is thorough.
But it’s also a learning environment.
Hayhow, one of the judges, has served as president of ARBA for 12 years — a nonprofit aimed at the promotion, development and improvement of the domestic rabbit and cavy, a type of South American rodent.
Hayhow asked the students a variety of questions to test their knowledge. When a student answered incorrectly, he would say, “No, that’s not correct. Here, let’s take another look.”
Learning about the animals is Navaeh Schlabach’s favorite aspects of the competition.
Schlabach, 11, won the Junior Showmanship title for her class. The Hillsdale student has raised “Tux” — a Dutch rabbit — for three years. She said she enjoys learning about the rabbits’ different colorations.
“Like this, this is the belt. And this is the blaze,” pointing first to the rabbit’s back where its coat changed from white to black and another spot between its ears.
Most showmen and women had names for their rabbits. But some, like James Esbenshade’s California rabbit went unnamed.
Esbenshade, 10, won the age 10-and-under Junior Showman competition. He doesn’t name rabbits that go to the butcher. But that doesn’t mean he lacks affection for them.
“They’re like another pet,” he said, moments after winning his first title. “They’re really soft and very adorable.”
Shows for various animals will continue throughout the week at the Ashland County Fairgrounds. For a schedule, click here.
See below for full list of Monday’s rabbit show winners.
Senior Showmanship, age 16 and over
• Allison Cawrse
• Vincent Scalesi
• Gabe Murawski
• Emily Dickson
Intermediate showmanship, age 13-15
• Rayann Harris
• Reise Stewart
• Trent Summers
• Reaghan Machin
• Reyton Hyatt
• Regan Hlovac
• Louis Perzy
• Yanna Obringer
• Owen Beattie
• Leah Dickson
Junior Showmanship, age 12
• Grady Summers
• Jilliam Weaver
• Julia Murawski
• Brynlee Stitzline
• Chloe Dickson
• Troy Weaver
• Addyson Kline
• Korbin McKissick
• Jessica Smith
• Violet Summers
Junior Showmanship, age 11
• Nevaeh Schlabach
• Sophia Scalesi
• Cheyenne Jackson
• Danielle Stemen
• Madison Meeting
• Maryn Eichelberger
• Emma Machin
Junior Showmanship, age 10 and under
• James Esbenshade
• Kaelyn Weaver
• Lilly Turner
• Brayden Kinter
• Taylor Weaver
• Owen Foster
• Kinsley Kline
• Landon Hickenbottom
• Jillian Kelley
• Taryn Wagner
Junior Showmanship, first year, age 12 and over
• Alana Hochstetler
• Haley Miller
• Jacey Slagle
Junior Showmanship, first year, ages 9-11
• Clara Obringer
• Grace Hulse
• Morgan Boyer
• Lilly Snyder
• Emma Puckett
• James Leininger
• Kara Strickling
• Braylen Vogler
• Hudson Barker
• James Clerkin
