WALTON - Tucked in the 4-H barn at the Delaware County Fair are some overlooked show animals - including rabbits. The 4-H rabbit show kicked off Tuesday, Aug. 13, where a family earned blue ribbons across the board in the novice class.
Gilmore siblings Levi, 18, Ashlie, 14, Logan, 13, and Nicole, 11, of Walton, raised rabbits to exhibit in the show.
The exhibit is judged on the health and appearance of the animal, the owner’s ability to handle their animal, and the owner’s knowledge of their rabbit and rabbits in general.
Levi and his Blue Holland Lop, Crystal, worked together to show Crystal’s health, while Levi displayed his knowledge of rabbits. When the judge asks to see the rabbit’s front and back legs, Levi said they are looking for damaged or missing toes, or a broken leg. When asking to see teeth, judges are checking for dented or damaged teeth, bucked teeth, cavities, and other signs of poor health or defects, he said.
Levi enjoys working with his rabbit and learning her quirks, he said, including her sassy attitude.
Also earning a blue ribbon in the novice class was Nicole and her rabbit Snowball, a Holland Lop. Nicole developed a love for rabbits by growing up with them, she said. For her, the best part of showing rabbits are the cuddles.
Logan, who also earned a blue ribbon with his Holland Lop, Bob, said his favorite thing about Bob’s personality is that he doesn’t really like people. The Gilmore’s rabbits all appear to have mischievous, sassy genetics, Ashlie said, as her Holland Lop, Mocha, is known for chewing her clothes.
