Happy New Year + 2018 Recap

The first time I showed Tans at a Convention was as a youth breeder in 1999 in Louisville, Kentucky under Gene Johnston. I went with my grandfather, who made the rabbit hobby entirely possible for me as a kid. Judging the youth Tans at the 2018 ARBA Convention in Springfield, Massachusetts has truly been the highlight of my rabbit hobby. It is a moment I am sad my grandfather was not there to see as I know he would have been proud. Our youth kids nominate and vote on their judges, so I am enterally grateful to them for the opportunity. I hope they all know how seriously I took the responsibility, having been in their shoes before. I love this breed dearly. I am also very thankful to the Beveren folks. They were an amazing group to judge for. The love and enthusiasm they have for this hobby was infectious. The 2018 ARBA Convention was my first show in a year. Over the last year I have focused on making certain improvements in my herd and less on breeding for specific shows (and also just living life more — the world beyond rabbits). It was strange to go into this show focused on judging and not showing, but it ended up being my best Convention experience to date. As I look prospectively to 2019, I am hoping to get back into showing in the later part of the year. I will likely miss the National Tan Show again, but hope to make it to Convention in the fall. I am actively breeding and enjoying my animals. It is just that I am on a course at the moment that does not involve frequently showing. Keep in touch. I'm still here. Best, Kelly