ROME TOWNSHIP— Tim Branham, of Mason, walked up and down the row of young people standing behind a table, their furry white bunny rabbits in perfect position before them.

The rabbits may have had few expectations but the young people were hopeful their techniques were perfect, garnering them a showmanship award.

In the end, Meagan Herrell took home the trophy for senior showman in the rabbit showmanship competition Wednesday; Kristen Estep was the winner of the junior showmanship competition.

Herrell attributed her triumph to “lots and lots of hard work” and plenty of time spent with her hoppity partner.

“You definitely have to spend a lot of time getting to know the rabbit and letting it get to know you so it doesn’t go crazy on you when you’re in the ring,” she said. She should know: she has been showing rabbits eight years.

But what exactly sets one rabbit handler apart from another?

“They should know how to handle the rabbit,” Branham explained. “They should have some general knowledge of the breed and rabbits in general. I also look at the condition of the animal and the dress of the exhibitor.”

In the rabbit skillathon, Anna Bridges, Heather Wheeler and Amanda MacArthur took home the top three spots, respectively, in the senior competition. Hannah Willis, Cheryl Ann Crawford and Lucas Evans won the top three spots, respectively, at the junior level in the skillathon.

The fair continues today at the fairgrounds outside Proctorville.