British Mini Rex visits Louisiana - March 2012

DAY ONE

On 13th March 2012, six members of the British Mini Rex Club travelled to the US to visit Monna and Ken Berryhill, the first creators of the Mini Rex in the US as well as visiting various Mini Rex breeders enroute to a Show in Iowa.

L to R: Garry Murphy, Mariann Jakab, John Evans, Monica Henley, Jim Topham and Neil Robertson.

DAY TWO

Wow it was hot today! We all brought jumpers and rain coats only to face 27C to 29C. Looked around the town to get our bearings and have a relaxing day before our travels tomorrow.

Taking it all in....

Neil Robertson, our official BMRC Louisiana  photographer making sure no photo opportunity is lost.

Tomorrow we head for Baton Rouge to meet with Kevin LeBlanc a well established and known breeder of Mini Rex.

So our day ends listening to Jazz, eating craw fish and gator (yes, that is what you think it is!), washed down with some local beers.

DAY THREE

After a good night's sleep, off we drove along the Misissippi River to our accommodation in Baton Rouge and then on to Port Allen, where Kevin LeBlanc and his wife gave us a wonderful welcome complete with some delicious jambalaya and white beans, a typical Louisiana dish.

The weather is very hot and the temperature inside the shed, or barn as it is called in the US, was equally as hot.

Mini Brokens are very popular in the US with good coats and type.

Here are two examples of Kevin's stock. Apparently it is possible to ascertain whose line a particular rabbit belongs to according to the markings.

On the whole the Mini's are well within the weight restrictions of 4 1/2 lbs.

Neil, Kevin, Jim and John examine the Ermines.

The Castors have decent coat and type.

The LeBlanc family have cotton trees growing the their garden, not common in the UK!

We are very grateful to Kevin and his wife for their very kind welcome and hospitality. we look forward to meeting them again the at the show on Saturday.

DAY FOUR

Had a leisurely drive to Eunice where we had the privilege to meet with Monna and Ken Berryhill. At last we were able to meet the first creators of the Mini Rex rabbit. What made our meeting even more special was the fact that it was Ken's birthday which we celebrated in style at Rocky's Cajun Kitchen. Fantastic food!! Crawfish and the famous Rocky's fried chicken. 

The Berryhills are wonderful people. We had a great conversation about Mini Rex, the breed standard and particularly the colours of the Broken Mini.

DAY FIVE

Show time! Drove to Iowa Rabbit Festival and what an experience!

Monna (pictured below) and Ken introduced us to everyone who gave us a tremendous welcome.

The show is organised differently to what we are used to in the UK. Exhibitors, at this show, sat with their exhibits in pens (or cages) and then, when the steward would call for 'Mini Rex Junior Buck' or 'Mini Rex Senior Doe', the exhibitors with those entries would take them to the table irrespective of the colour. The judge would then judge them, knowing who placed the rabbit into the pen.

Once judged, the judge would give an assessment on each rabbit placed 4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st. The owner would then take them from the judging pens to their own travelling cage with the exception of the winner.

The winner of the challenge would then be given a trophy and rosette as soon as the result is declared.

This is the winner of the Juniors (4H), a lovely Mini Rex with great type and coat. There are many Juniors out here and all seem very

enthusiastic about their rabbits. Indeed, at this show there were more juniors than adults showing Mini Rex. It was also interesting 

that there were no Standard Rex at the show. Indeed, Mini Rex are by far the most popular and most numerous Rex variety.

Monna (Mama Mini Rex) and Ken made us feel very welcome. They are both well loved and respected and place much importance on encouraging the Junior fanciers.

Brokens are very popular in the US amongst all breeders.

Ken, seen below with John Evans, looking at a Broken Mini belonging to a junior fancier.

 

As in the UK the judges were kept busy all day. Below a judge looking at a Castor Mini Rex.

And so, a long day ended with many new friends made and some fascinating rabbit conversations!

DAY SIX

Today we set off to visit Shelia Humphries in Hessmer. Shelia made us very welcome as she showed us her stock of Mini Brokens and Ermines. The coats of the Ermines were 'out of this world', fantastic quality.

 In the US the rabbits are tattooed in the ear. Below, Shelia shows us the machine that does this and how it is done.

 We gave each Mini Rex breeder that we visited our club mug, some badges (junior & adult), some junior leaflets and some copies of the Fur and Feather. 

 Shelia's home is within 9 acres of land which is thriving with livestock!

 Our next stop was to visit Monna & Ken Berryhill, the very first creators of the Mini Rex.

 Monna is affectionately known as the Mama Mini Rex.

 During our visit many discussions were had concerning the pattern of the Broken and how this should differ from the Dalmatian.

Above a mother and daughter, Castor Brokens.

We are very greatful to Monna & Ken for making us feel so welcome and for the wonderful meal they prepared for us, a real Tex-Mex dish. We really appreciate such a kind welcome.

DAY SEVEN
A lot of driving today from Eunice back to New Orleans. The streets of New Orleans now seem quite familiar. 

After checking into the Royal Sonesta, we all had a meal together whilst listening to Jazz music being played all around.

DAY EIGHT
Our last day has arrived. Just a final look around New Orleans....

 ...listen to some jazz

 and then a short drive to the airport. 
 This blog of the British Mini Rex Club's 
visit to Louisiana is now complete. 
Thank you for following us on our journey!
For more information concerning the British Mini Rex Club
email: info@britishminirexclub.com
or visit our website: 
www.britishminirexclub.com