Dining before the last day of Convention

My good friends, John and Sasha, invited me to go eat with them at St. Elmos Steak House. It was fun, as we had good conversation and then we went for a walk sight-seeing. I was a bit tired, though, but really enjoyed the meal and walk.

Sight seeing during convention

Okay, trying to work on a new logo for my website

I am making plans on building a new website, which I hope will be better than the previous one. In the mean time, I wanted to get a logo and I planned to still use my beautiful RTA Diego Rivera (rest in peace) rabbit picture. Thus far, this is what I got.

Problems with my postings, let me give this one a try

I've been having some problems with the postings I prepared ahead of time to be released daily. I still have some pictures of Indianapolis and Convention. I'll work on it tonight and see if I can get things to go through this time.

In the mean time, I've been in contact with my good friends, John & Sasha, about the show schedule plans. I am excited to hear that Kellyof "The Kelfla Project" has some nice rabbits to show. I am hoping that all of us can attend shows here in Texas, and out of State. It is always great to see new angora lovers that are willing to learn and enter the show circuit. One of our goals has always been to have a Texas Angora Rabbit Club, so who knows, maybe we will be able to get it going sometime in the future.

I do understand some people's hesitation to raise and show Angora rabbits in Texas due to the heat and humidity, but it is all worth it. Also, if one can slowly acclimate them to the Texas weather, they can tolerate the temperature some what, but of course, they always need a/c, fans, lots of water and lots of love and care.

With my family's new rabbit acquisition, I am hoping to re-establish our herd again. I have one doe left of my original herd. I am so fond of her since she is my hope to establish my own line with help of other excellent lines in the US. I am planning on breeding her this coming weekend, but need to check the weather to ensure all goes well.

Any who, I want to post the tentative show schedule our friends and us is:

January 14, 2012 (Waxahachie)
February 18, 2012 (Victoria)
March 24, 2012 (Seguin)
March 30-April 1, 2012 (Belton State Show)
May 5, 2012 (Austin)
June 8 & 9, 2012 (Wichita, Kansas "Angora Specialty).

Of course, this schedule might change.

Brokens and more brokens

The presentation of the Broken English and Broken Satin Angoras took place this year. Unfortunately, neither passed due to some debatable reasons. I believe in the Broken Satin Angoras there was an issue of whether a rabbit was copper or tort? On the English Angoras there was a question on the pedigree, to wit: the color "fawn", which according to the Judges, this cross would not create a Tort? Well, something to that effect, but my mind is still a bit hazzy as I am preparing postings on 11/3/11, after my long drive trip. A main issue that surfaced with the Broken English judging was that the Judges used an unauthorized ARBA genetics book, which was writted about Neatherland Drawf, to judge the genetics of the English Angoras.

There was a proper debate with the Judges, where experts in English Angora Genetics, Betty Chu and Candy Haezlen were present to give their expert opinions, but the judges wouldn't hear it, citing they had two Genetics Experts amongst them.

After the issue was addressed, there was a quick "get to work" on an appeal of the decision. As of this time, I do not know what happened to the appeal; however, I trust that the ARBA will look at this situation carefully, especially if ARBA Judges are not properly following the ARBA Standard of Perfection, and are utilizing different rabbit breeds books to judge rabbits. Let's hope for the best and see what develops.

Below are some pictures of some of these amazing rabbits:

And the winner is...

Dana Faber, won BOS with her Satin Angora. She was SO excited and so was I. Dana has been really focusing on the Satin angoras, while her daughter and son in law, Sasha and John, focus on the English Angora. We've attended shows together, competed together, and had a wonderful fun time at Convention.

Dana also knitted a pair of soft, beautiful Satin Angora gloves. I really wish she had entered them in the skein/garment competition, I know she would have one top honors. She is quite a talented knitter and spinster.

I only have her picture, and will see if I can contact the other winners for pictures to post.

Here is Dana:

Pictures of the Angora Rabbit Judging

Judge Dick is excellent in judging Angoras. He took his time, referred to the Standard of Perfection, joked a lot with the public, and was as pleasant as a Judge can be. I did not take as many pictures as I would have liked, so I don't think I have all the angora breed pictures here. Truth is that I was beat on Sunday. I arrived to Indianapolis at 12:00am and checked in and slept by 1:00am and got up at 6:00am and rushed to the Fairgrounds. Plus, my back was hurting from the long drive. I did leave after the BOB was announced, but by then, I was moving like a zombie.

Here are some pictures of the rabbits being judged and they are not arranged in any particular order:

NARBC & UARC Booths

The NARBC and UARC booths were nicely decorated and had plenty of goodies for the raffle. Also, they proudly displayed the garments section of crafts made from angora wool. Candy had several of her very nice hand made items from angora wool.

Introducing my two new additions to Road To Angora Rabbitry

I was very fortunate to acquire two excellent REW rabbits. The buck is from Linda Cassella and the doe is from Margaret Bartold. I specifically asked for REW since I have always been partial to them, rather than color. I am hoping these two additions will enhance our rabbitry and gets us back on track to compete once again. I am hopeful that 2012 will bring us luck and lots of fun; well, that is, if the world doesn't end (grin).

Below are four pictures I took as soon as I returned home. The weather in San Antonio was in the 50's with possibility of freezing. It is nice and cold outside, compared to the horrendous heat. It was windy and I had a tough time taking pictures of the rabbits. I did my best to get them to pose, despite the wind, the fatigue they and I had, and took some pictures for my blog. They were placed into their new cages, given their water, feed, and a toy. I plan to clip them both soon and once acclimated to their surroundings, begin the breeding.

The BUCK: He did his best, poor baby, such a long wonderful coat, but full of static! I could swear I heard him curse at me for shocking him a few times.

The DOE: She was furious, of course, with the wind, being exhausted, and I wanted her to pose.

ARBA Convention 2011

I have neglected my blog for quite some time. In fact, the "Road To Angora" Website I had is no longer working, since I failed to keep up the fee for maintenance. Supposedly, the site was free, but $5.00 fee to upgrade and when I stopped the payments, the website collapsed. Well, i have to create a new one soon, but this will be done using my Dream Weaver software, once I learn to use it.

One of the reasons I had not kept up with my blog and web page was because of so many issues going on in our personal life. My mother's illness, my oldest son leaving the nest, work being hectic, my younger son being silly (no, he is good, but gives his teachers grief), and also, because I just was not really feeling the excitement to raise and show rabbits. Yes, after our situation that happened two years ago, things just were not the same.

However, I maintained contact with my "rabbit friends" and I am glad I did. Although I had one rabbit from my original stock, I managed to acquire a breeding pair that produced 2 nice rabbits, and I bought another one from my friends, John and Sasha. I kept up with them, but the heat this year was horrendous. There was no way we could compete in any show.

Well, I had, for the longest time wanted to attend the ARBA Convention, but something happened and I could not make it, but this year, all changed. I was able to go alone to Convention and I Loved it! Yes, the 20 hour driving trip each way was tough, but well worth it.

I am excited to say that I had the great pleasure of not only seeing my good friends, John & Sasha McPhearson, and Dana Faber, but had the pleasure of seeing my good friend Margaret Bartold, too. I finally had the pleasure of meeting Linda Cassella in person, and also met Marcus Rhoden, Janet Gruber, Candy Haenszel, Betty Chu, Jack Bailey & his wife, Joan Hastings, and many other awesome angora rabbit breeders.

I had the pleasure of seeing first hand the awesome angoras and how fierce the competition is at Convention. Breeders really put their best rabbits on the show table and carefully take their time to groom them, blow coats, and get them ready for the show. I also saw, unfortunately, the sad side of showing, where some breeders bring to show poorly maintained rabbits, which not only is offensive to a Judge, but a sad impression for angora breeders and non angora breeders.

Overall, I had a wonderful time! I was fortunate to bring back home 2 awesome angoras, one from Margaret Bartold and the other from Linda Cassella. Linda's buck will be the sire in my rabbitry and I do hope will begin strengthening and improving what I currently have. I plan to begin the breeding soon, now that the summer heat is dissipating. However, I do not know if I will be able to compete in next year's Convention in Kansas, which I definitely plan to attend.

I took several pictures of the Angora shows mainly and I will be working on some posts for the following days. I am exhausted, as I'm sure my rabbits are, too, after driving for 20 hours on my return home. However, I must say, I feel invigorated and excited to show once again and continue enjoying this hobby, which has always helped me relax and enjoy the fun and friendships I make at shows.