Sometimes a subject of interest can get even the quietest people to brighten up and talk. Rabbits are the subject that helps sophomore Kristin Sandager spring (no pun intented) into a variable fountain of knowledge. She gently strokes the rabbit huddled in her lap, its nose twitching, and explains all there is to raising and showing rabbits. She speaks confidently, uses many terms that most wouldn’t understand, and has obviously memorized many specific details about rabbits. Sandager has been raising rabbits for approximately five and a half years, beginning just after fourth grade. She began raising rabbits after a friend of hers in 4H, who raised Rex rabbits, needed to sell some of her rabbits. Sandager’s first rabbit was named Butterfinger. She now raises Mini Rex rabbits, which is a smaller variety of the standard Rex. The Mini Rex is one of the most popular breeds of rabbit, and showing them is competitive. “It’s a challenge,” Sandager said. During a show, rabbits are judged based on many different factors. A veterinarian checks them for health issues, such as making sure the ears and eyes are clean, checking the body for abscesses, and making sure their teeth aren’t misshapen or overgrown. Then a judge combs over them and checks the ear length, the fur color, the texture of the fur, the size of the body, and the number of toenails – among other traits – and compares it to the standard for the breed. Sandager noted that many judges judge based on personal preference. “They’re very strict,” Sandager said. Rabbits are typically bought or bred and raised from when they are babies (called “kits”). Getting an ideal rabbit is based on the genes from the buck (male) and doe (female) that are bred, but also on luck. “It’s a gamble,” Sandager said. Sandager recently competed at the National Rabbit Convention in Minneapolis, which went from Nov. 7 to Nov. 11, against 17,000 other Mini Rex rabbits. Junior Ashley Schoonover, who also shows rabbits, also attended the National Convention. She and Sandager agree the National Convention is tough competition and it’s hard to even place, much less win. “The problem with that show is you’re competing with the big guys,” Schoonover said. Regardless, Sandager has won a few awards in competitions, even claiming the title of Champion for Intermediate Showmanship in 4H. Sometimes showing isn’t all seriousness. Sandager remembers a time showing in sixth grade when her rabbit at the time got spooked and took off like a shot. “[That story is] hilarious now, but then…” she trails off, chuckling to herself.