The fifth-grade rabbit showmanship class at the 2016 Fayette County Jr. Fair was “hare-raisingly” close. It wasn’t the first time Alli Brady and Morgan Cartwright showed their rabbits in an attempt to be named first in their show class.
The two were in the same rabbit showmanship class last year for the fourth grade. In that class Brady was named first place while Cartwright took second. This year the places swapped: Cartwright was named first place while Brady took second.
During the final minutes of the judging, Brady and Cartwright stood side-by-side at a table as the judge asked them questions. Their rabbits sat nervously in front of them.
Brady said her rabbit, a Holland Lop named Senior Buck, is the best rabbit she has that poses. But in the afternoon heat, the rabbits were uncomfortable and Senior Buck wouldn’t cooperate.
“He was the only buck in the class and he likes girls a lot,” said Brady.
Cartwright, with a New Zealand white named Snowball, said, “In the middle of the show, Alli’s rabbit ran and jumped on top of my rabbit. I didn’t know what to do.”
Brady said her buck rabbit kept trying to lick all the girls.
“I was scared he was going to breed them right there on the table,” said Brady.
Cartwright said she was worried because her rabbit wouldn’t sit still and tried to run away during the show.
“The rabbits actually feed off your emotions. If you get scared your rabbit will freak out,” said Cartwright.
She said participating in the rabbit showmanship class is fun.
“I think it’s just a really cool experience. Last year Alli beat me, so she was my competition this year, and surprisingly I won,” said Cartwright.
Brady, of the Blue Ribbon Champs 4-H Club, and Cartwright, of the Funny Farmers 4-H Club, were both fifth-grade students last year at Belle Aire Intermediate School. This year they will both enter sixth grade at Washington Middle School.
Brady said she thinks changing to the new school feels sad. For Cartwright, she said she’s pretty excited.
“My dad is actually the assistant principal so it’s going to be fun,” said Cartwright.
They both plan to be back again for next year’s Jr. Fair where they will participate in the rabbit showmanship sixth-grade class. Brady said she will probably bring Senior Buck. For Cartwright, she said she will start over with a new rabbit.
