Wilson raises Best of Breed rabbit at county fair

The San Diego County Fair included a youth rabbit breed show in which Fallbrook 4-H Club member Samantha Wilson raised the Best of Breed for mini rex rabbits.

The 14-year-old Wilson, who completed eighth grade at Potter Junior High School this spring, showed three mini rex rabbits at the county fair including Tequila, a seven-month-old male who won the Best of Breed award.

The rabbit breed show has three award levels. The rabbits of each breed are first judged by color, the Best of Breed award is the second level and the Best of Breed winners compete for Best of Show.

Wilson raised both the first-place and second-place ruby-eyed white rabbits.

"I wasn't surprised. I expected that I would have the best," she said. "I was very surprised to win Best of Breed, though."

Tequila's father, Shiro, took second place among ruby-eyed white mini rex rabbits. Shiro is one year old. Lovebug, who is seven months old, was the second-place black mini rex rabbit.

Wilson has completed two years as a Fallbrook 4-H Club member.

"My parents convinced me to join as a little extra activity I can do. It was more to get out of the house, work on something," she said.

Breed competition was more appealing to Wilson than market shows.

"I said I wasn't going to do anything that I had to kill because I get too attached to them," Wilson said. "We went over my options, and I chose rabbits."

Last year was Wilson's first year showing rabbits at the San Diego County Fair. She won Best of Breed for the American fuzzy lop breed, and that female rabbit was joined by other American fuzzy lop rabbits Wilson entered.

"I just branched into mini rexes between last year's and this year's," Wilson said.

Wilson was born in Palm Springs, and the family also lived in Fresno and Sacramento before moving to Fallbrook when Wilson was 11. Wilson was at Live Oak Elementary School for sixth grade before her two years at Potter Junior High School.

She said that the rabbit shows motivate her to improve.

"I always learn something from these shows, and it's nice to have a healthy competition," Wilson said.