4H rabbit projects feature races and champions

Racing rabbits: One of the fun events at the rabbit barn Saturday was the rabbit race, in which 4-H rabbits were timed as they tried to make it through a maze with a few hurdles. One rabbit got through in just 15 seconds, while others were much more sluggish, posting a time well in excess of one minute. Here, Jackson Volunteers 4-Her Emily Cole prods her rabbit along. (Tribune photos by Vicki Urbanik)

Winners Circle: Shown with their champion rabbits are (from left to right) Emily Cole, Cody Hootman, and Audrey Cole, all members of the Jackson Volunteers 4-H club.

4-H Winners: Stephanie Jackson (at left) of Chesterton, a member of the 4-H Lakeshore Drifters, and her dog, Vinnie, won Grand Champion in Obedience and fifth in agility and showmanship during the dog competition Friday at the Porter County Fair. She is shown here holding one of the Cole family rabbits, along with Jackson Volunteer Autumn Cole (center), who is holding Alamode, who won Best of Opposite Sex. At right is Danielle Boer, a first-year 4-H Lakeshore Drifter who won fifth in obedience with her dog, Quill.

The Denfelds: The Denfeld family tend to more than 140 rabbits, and their hard work by John, 13, Tim, 12, and Christina, 7, was evident at the Porter County Fair. Among the honors these 4-H Liberty Hot Shots siblings won this weekend were Tim’s Grand Champion in Small Animals and John’s first place in advanced rabbit judging. Shown here with some of the Denfeld rabbits are (left to right) Katie Lichentenberger of the 4-H Center Wildcats holding John’s Soot; Tim, holding Ugly and Bigfoot; Christina (in front), a 4-H Explorer holding Toast; and John, holding Tan.

Clowning around: Getting ready for the costume contest in the rabbit barn at the Porter County Fair Saturday was incoming 7th grader Travis Schroeder of Liberty Township. He is holding Snickers, who made it into the Winner’s Circle by winning Best of Opposite Sex.

Posted 7/25/2005