Paige Nielsen holds her rabbit, Toby, and two first-place ribbons at the 2024 Salinas Valley Fair.
Like many FFA chapters, Salinas FFA has a large body of members who raise and show livestock at local summer fairs. Although Salinas exhibitors typically raise pigs, goats and cattle, there is one animal the chapter had not shown for many years: rabbits.
Rabbit exhibitors make up a small, but important part of the Salinas Valley Fair. Despite not having an established rabbit showmanship program, in 2024 freshman member Paige Nielsen decided she wanted to show a rabbit at the fair.
She began by doing her own research on rabbit breeds, equipment and care. After reviewing this with her advisors, she set out to purchase her rabbit, Toby, through a friend. She brought him home, pampered his hutch and began training him.
Unlike other livestock, rabbit showmanship is more in depth. Starting with the ears and face, each showman presents his or her rabbit on a table to the judge. The showman then describes different parts of the anatomy, while also describing how to check for improper qualities, such as diseases and deformities.
They then move to the body, consisting of feet, toes, abdomen and legs. After this, a showman gently extends the tip of the tail outward. To finish, a showman glides his or her hand in the opposite way the fur grows and describes the fur type to the judge. All of this is taken into account for showmanship and determines one’s overall score.
Rabbits at this fair can also be brought for only classes in showmanship, breed judging or selling. It depends on the breed of the rabbit and the exhibitor’s decision.
Nielsen spent more than 70 hours training Toby from February to May. She spent every night with him on her show table, going through the motions and getting used to the commentary. She also stayed after school and practiced with an advisor to make sure she got everything perfect.
May quickly rolled around, and it was time to pack up for fair. With her table, feed, FFA jacket and various different pieces of equipment, Nielsen was ready to show. Her family and friends drove to King City, Calif., early on May 17 and set up in the small animal barn.
In her first round, Nielsen brought Toby to the elevated judging platform and was the first novice FFA exhibitor. She went through her mental checklist of all the parts to show the judge and left the platform nervous, but excited she had completed her first rabbit show.
After all the exhibitors had shown, it was time for breed judging. Toby was placed in a pen, side by side with the other rabbits. Once it was his turn, Toby was taken out of his cage and examined by the judge.
Nielsen watches the judge and Toby during the breed judging. The judge comments on the rabbit while holding and examining him.
After the eventful day, Nielsen and Toby waited for the results to arrive. She was presented with a first-place ribbon for showmanship at her first fair. Ecstatic, she celebrated with her family. Then, the next ribbon came: first in breed judging. With these ribbons, Nielsen not only showed off her hard work, but also qualified for the “Round Robin” competition.
Reflecting on her experiences, Nielsen says the results were “a mixture of shock and excitement, and also the stepping stone for me to branch out into other animals.”
Next, she spend a full day preparing for her first Round Robin. Although she had never shown any other livestock than her rabbit the day before, she worked tirelessly to make sure she did her best in the ring.
Nielsen (center) shows during the lamb portion of Round Robin. She braces the lamb on her leg and looks at the judge.
She received a fifth-place ribbon and took home her third award from that fair. From this day on, she knew she was ready to show any and every animal.
Nielsen shows during the beef portion of the Round Robin.
Since her first Salinas Valley Fair, Nielsen has grown her collection of rabbits from just one (Toby) to 13, including different breeds. She participated in the Monterey County and San Benito County Fairs in 2024, where she won breed judging at both, first in senior showmanship at San Benito, and showed in senior Round Robin.
During her sophomore year, she is helping to train new rabbit showmen who will show at the 2025 Salinas Valley Fair. Her current supervised agricultural experience project is breeding her Lilac rabbits, and she has had one litter of five so far. Nielsen is also currently raising her first pig, a dark cross, which she calls “Pig Justice.”
Nielsen’s advice for people who want to get into showmanship is, “stay organized, positive and to try your best. You’re sure to have fun!”
