Let’s start off with the question – WHAT IS THE OBJECTIVE(S) OF A RABBIT SHOW?

Answer: CONFORMATION

The reason why rabbits entered in show must not be neutered, is because, sound specimens must be reproduced. The conformation show emphasizes and even amplifies this fact. A show indirectly promotes the breeding of the best animals and therefore, a rabbit that is disqualified (DQ) must be made known so that the breeder will not be lead to believe that it is alright to breed his/her rabbit. The saying, “be cruel to be kind” holds true here. In my opinion, a judge should be extremely honest though it may make them unpopular. If a judge is really for the betterment of the breed(s), being popular should be the last thing on his/her mind.

The main objective of a rabbit show or any sort of shows e.g. dog & cat is none other than CONFORMATION to the STANDARD OF PERFECTION. I am sure most of us have the Standard Of Perfection booklet by now and let’s take a look at the latest Standard Of Perfection for the Holland Lop breed. Each breed comes together with its schedule of points:

And now let’s look at a typical ARBA show result slip:

Another question, where are the points?

I am not saying that this is the practice by only certain judge but I believe this is a common practice in any ARBA show at the moment (please correct me if I am wrong). I am also not sure if the point system has ever been used. Please bear in mind that I am not trying to challenge the integrity or worthiness of judges here but I believe by just stating one’s opinion is not justifiable in selecting the best rabbit. If the win is not justifiable, it makes no difference of just organizing a rabbit beauty pageant where no merits are given to adherence to standards.

The point system would satisfy nay-sayers like me when it comes to justifying a winning rabbit. The only reason I can think of why the point system has since be obsolete is because of time constraints. But I also believe that there is a reason why we have RAMRODS (writers). Instead of standing around looking pretty and writing a few lines on each result slip, the job of the ramrod should also include calculating the points for each rabbit. But do we risk jeopardizing the quality of rabbits in exchange for convenience? How can a judge possibly have a number crunching brain capable of storing the scores for hundreds of rabbits that he/she touches and feel? Even if he/she have the super natural power, let’s try to think of an instance where there are 2 very identical rabbits.

If rabbit A has the same crown as rabbit B, under the point system, both should have the same points! And if that is written down and tabulated, it will give a clearer justification where one of the rabbit loses out. It just doesn’t make sense to me to hear the judge telling his writer, “This is a fine representation of the breed, such an amazing doe” but the rabbit gets the 1st place from bottom up – LAST so to speak!

I am sure by now, you get the point that I am trying to put forth and I wonder if there is any plans of re-enforcing the point system judging which promotes better transparency and leave no room for “favouritism”. Or is it?

I feel that it defeats the purpose of having the Standard Of Perfection schedule of points if the points are not being used during judging.

I was once told that if the judge wants you to lose, he/she will ensure you lose. I wonder what other ways we can help improve the system so to promote real “CONFORMATION” for the betterment of the breed rather than the relationships. If a relationship can’t last beyond winning or losing, it is a relationship not worth having!

Just my 2 cents worth.

Why so complicated when they are not?

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Apakah objective mengadakan pertandingan arnab?

Tiada jawapan lain kecuali PENGESAHAN.

Ia adalah pengesahan bahawa arnab yang terbaik diagung2kan. Dan tahukah anda, mengapa arnab yang bertanding dalam Show ARBA tidak dibenarkan kembiri?

Ia adalah kerana arnab yang paling dekat mewakili standard yang dikemukakan oleh ARBA digalakkan digunakan dalam program pembiakan rabbitry.

Saya rasa judge sepatutnya memberi pandangan yang jujur dan tidak segan dibenci kerana pandangan yang bernasnya. Maklumlah, ada kala judge ni nak jadi popular maka tidak berani mengatakan arnab kawannya sudahpun DISQUALIFY. Untuk saya, kalau disqualify lebih baik diberitahu kerana kalau tidak, pemilik arnab tersebut akan berfikir arnabnya wajar dibiak apabila ia mempunyai masalah genetik yang akan diwarisi, sejaligus tidak menolong pemilik tersebut meningkatkan kualiti arnabnya malah memburukkan seluruh program pembiakannya.

Jom kita semua renung apakah yang dikemukakan oleh ARBA dimana setiap baka diberi jadual markah asing2. Di bawah adalah jadual markah untuk baka Holland Lop:

Apa kata kita lihat slip keputusan pertanding arnab pula:

Dimana pergi markahnya?

Saya tidak bermaksud untuk mengatakan bahawa kita semua telah dikelentong oleh para penganjur atau judge yang hadir untuk show kita kelmarin akan tetapi, ini adalah amalan am di mana2 pertanding arnab ARBA (kalau tak silap saya). Saya lebih gemar dengan sistem markah jikalau ia pernah diamalkan seketika dahulunya. Kalau tidak, apa gunanya Standard of Perfection kan?

Alasan yang dapat saya fikirkan mengapa sistem markah ini tidak digunakan adalah kerana kesuntukan masa semasa pertandingan. Akan tetapi, semasa show kan kita ada penulis markah. Selain daripada jadi model yang cantik mungkin penulis markah ni boleh buat perhitungan markah untuk setiap slip keputusan?

Dengan mengabaikan sistem markah untuk kemudahan tidak wajar malah menjejaskan objective kita untuk menggalakkan pembiakan arnab yang berkualiti. Tidak mengguna sistem markah seumpama judge main tikam sahaja dalam memilih pemenangnya sekaligus memberi ruang kepada penyalahgunaan kedudukannya sebagai seorang pengadil yang sepatutnya adil dan saksama.

Tidak masuk akal pabila judge mengatakan arnab ini sangat cantik tetapi apabila melihat slip keputusan, arnab tersebut dapat Nombor 1 dari belakang (belakang mali ke? terakhir namanya). Dan ia tidak masuk akal langsung kerana di dalam lebih ratusan arnab, pengadil boleh ingat markah secara maya dalam otaknya. Tidak mungkin dan oleh kerana itu, sistem markah sepatutnya digunakan.

Saya rasa tidak perlu adanya buku Standard Of Perfection jikalau sistem pemarkahannya tidak digunakan. Pengadil terus tunjuk dengan jari sahaja yang mana pemenangnya.

Boleh?