A Couple Newbie Questions

[CiCi's Chinchillas]

I have been wanting to get into showing chinchillas for some time now, but it has been difficult. I haven't been able to make it to a show yet and the only thing I know about chinchilla shows is what I have read off the internet. The more I read the more overwhelmed I get about how much I have to learn. I don't really have any chinnie friends and I feel a little isolated out here in Georgia.

The first show I will be able to attend will probably be the MCBA South Carolina show in November. And, if I understand correctly, there will be a show in Florida early next year too, which I will be sure to attend. So my question is, should I attend a show or two before I bring a chin or should I just dive into the deep end? I wouldn't be expecting to place or anything, I would just want to get the best learning experience.

I have read multiple times that the best thing to do is get a mentor, but as I said I am a little isolated here. I don't suppose there is anyone relatively close to me that would be willing to help me out? Or perhaps just someone who would just be willing to correspond through e-mail and answer the occasional silly question?

And one other question I had, what is the "basic" brushes that I need to get started? I think I read that the #3 is a good place to start but I wanted to double check. And where can I purchase them? Or does someone have any used ones for sale? I plan on purchasing that video from chinworld to get me started.

Sorry for writing a book. I tried to do my research first so I didn't reiterate things that have already been discussed. As a newbie at this there just seems to be so much to learn! Someone needs to write an instuction manual... :clown:

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer!
-CiCi

 

[eroomlorac]

I would say go to a show with the chinnies you want to show. If you can contact someone ahead of time you know will be there, most people are very willing to help you groom, etc, time permitting. I showed a couple of chinnies just to experience it and the Walters and the Schultz girls were very kind and patient with me. You will need grooming combs, not brushes and actually I just used a dog comb. But the Schultz girls had real chinnie combs they used on my chins, though they said the chinnies didn't look too bad with the grooming I gave the chinnies. I just went and asked how do I register, what cages do I put them in, etc. Everyone was very kind and patient. Help with grooming, though, some of the big groomers might be too busy if they are showing many chins but people were very helpful to me.

People will tell you to dust them alot up until a few days before the show. There are other hints and tips people will gladly share with you. Have fun at the show.

And you never know, you may win something. I am not a breeder so I had nothing at stake if my chinnies did well or not. I don't have a breeding line I am trying to promote. Just my pets!

 

[Essentia]

The MCBA South Carolina show has actually been moved to Orlando, FL in February. It isn't two shows, just the one. This show would be perfect for a starter show since it's not a huge, huge show and a lot of smaller local breeders will also be there. Lyn, the breeder who is running the show, is a very nice lady and has answered several of my silly questions when I've emailed her with them.

Here is her website if you ever want to contact her with questions about the show, or questions in general.

http://www.centralfloridachinchillas.com/

If you are interested I live at the very northern tip of FL (Jacksonville) and would be willing to carpool to the show in Orlando. I mean, it would only cut 2.5 hrs. off your drive time, but if you want, I am willing.

 

[Essentia]

Also, here is the first email sent out about the show. There will be a group grooming and such so you can always participate in that.

Hello Chin lovers:
You all are folks who have acquired a chinchilla from me or another Central Florida chinchilla breeder, or someone we know to be interested in chinchillas or a breeder yourself. I wanted to let you know of a wonderful opportunity to learn more about chinchillas and see great examples of every chin color there is in one place at one time.
Your regional division of the Mutation Color Chinchilla Breeders’ Association (MCBA), the Southeast Coastal Chapter, is having its next Chinchilla Show in Orlando on February 13, 2010 (President’s day Saturday)—this will be the first chinchilla show EVER in Florida. You don’t have to be an MCBA member to attend, or even to enter a chin in the show. Chin shows are fun experiences, whether you bring a chin to enter or not, and we have picked a location which is easy to find—Holiday Inn Universal Studios, a stone’s throw from the Florida Turnpike intersection with Interstate 4, and about l0 minutes away from where the Beachline/528 ends in I-4. This hotel is near ALL the attractions—Disney, SeaWorld, Epcot, MGM—and across the street from the entry to Universal. There are many good restaurants in walking distance, good shopping nearby, and a 45 minute drive to Cocoa Beach, less to airboat rides on the St. Johns River. Busch Gardens in Tampa is about an hour away too.
SO are you interested? Do you think you might attend and bring a spouse, friend, child (small children probably should be left with a babysitter, older interested children are welcome at the show—and if you want to make it a “whole family trip,” I can probably find you a babysitter)? Would you perhaps spend a night or two, or more, at the hotel or just come for the day? Chin shows get underway after all the chins have been groomed, generally about 9:30 or l0 am, and end after all chins have been judged, which depending on the number of chins can be 3-5 pm, with a one hour break for lunch. Getting even a rough idea how many folks might come doesn’t commit you to anything but really helps us out with our planning—show room size, lunch menu, how many hotel rooms to hold at a discounted rate, even how many 1st to 4th place ribbons to order. We are thinking of having a get-together event Friday night so that you could come Friday, have a relaxed fun time with other chin lovers that evening and then be on hand early for the show Saturday without a long drive from anywhere. Saturday night we’ll have a “social” with the judge—pizza and snacks—which is also a good time to talk to chins breeders and chin lovers.

Thanks and just click on reply and tell me whatever you can.
=0
D
Lyn Shuster, Florida Chinchilla Show Chairperson,
Lyn’s Chins, www.centralfloridachinchillas.com EMAIL: [email protected]

P.S. You do not need to have a pedigree for your chin to enter it in show. You do need the breeder’s permission though, if you know who that is, but whatever ribbon or trophy you win is yours. You should know something about show preparation of a chin, however, and future newsletters will tell you that and, if there if enough interest, the planners for the show with me, all Central Florida chinchilla breeders, are considering one or more live grooming sessions that you could attend.

 

[6Dusters]

Hi CiCi,

I just attended my first show in York recently and had several people give me a hand. I purchased my combs months before the show. My only problem was making sure I had someone show me the "finer" details of combing and make sure I did it right. I asked someone else to trim the tail for me .The problem I faced at this particular show was someone helping me fill out the paperwork and cage card. I had no idea what I was doing. People were "very very" busy! But I made it through. If you do bring animals make sure you arrive early that day to fill out paperwork, comb, and have a bit of free time to look at the other animals in the show cages. Don't forget to buy the show book as it provides a wealth of information for us newbies. You don't have to bring a chin to go to the show. But beware of the chins for sale!!! :laughitup: Bring plenty of money.

 

[Cedar River Chins]

HI CiCi

I am sad but yes the SC show is now in FLa..so I will not be attending as it is just to far for me to travel..However I do know a bunch of people from the carolina's who plan on coming up to the NY/NE sow this September..If that is an option for you I am more then willing to correspond with you between now and then and also help you with grooming , registering, show day..

You can purchase a set of combs from either JAGS on here or the Ryersons at www.ryersonchinchilla.com ..Personally just starting out I would at least invest in a #3 and #1 if you can not afford a full set of 4..I would also steer clear of the grooming video I found it alot harder then it really is..I have learned more just from watching show mornings then the video taught me but thats just me..

If your interested in asking further questions you can email me..

 

[CiCi's Chinchillas]

Thanks for all the help everyone! I am sad to hear that the Florida show is replacing the South Carolina show but still very excited about going! I will probably have a ton more questions as we get closer to the date!

Thanks again!
CiCi