Rules for nomination
1. The nominee for this award must have been an active member in good standings of the
National Mini Rex Rabbit Club for at least five (5) consecutive years prior to
nomination.
2. Names for consideration are to be submitted along with a
letter of recommendation by the membership to the Committee Chairperson by July
1st. The Chairperson will send the letters to his/her committee for approval to
ensure the criteria set forth is met.
3. The approved letters are forwarded to the Secretary/Treasurer, who will send them out to the Executive
Board members to vote on. It shall take a 2/3 majority to be approved into the
Hall of Fame. The votes shall be postmarked no later than September 1st and
returned to the Committee Chairperson.
4. Nominee displays only the best of good sportsmanship.
5. Nominee displays concentrated effort toward
the promotion of the Mini Rex breed through better clubs and shows.
6.Nominee supported, promoted and/or provided outstanding service to the National
Mini Rex Rabbit Club.
7. Nominee cares about education and assistance to
other Mini Rex breeders and the development of higher quality animals.
8. The National Mini Rex Rabbit Club is not required to present
this award each year.
9. The "Hall of Fame" award will be presented at
the NMRRC banquet at the ARBA Convention.
CURRENT MEMBERS:
Monna Berryhill
I was born in Texas, grew up in California, then Oklahoma. Lived there until was 34 years old, then moved to California to be with a man I had met through pen pal club. A month after my arrival, we got married - 36 years ago. We transferred to Texas and lived there until 2007. We started raising rabbits in 1983, and in 1984, I saw the first Mini Rex born in my barn. A dream formed itself in my head and when I vocalized it, I was met with great opposition. In 1985, I took some to the Houston ARBA Convention and stirred up a smattering of interest and much ridicule. Moving forward in spite of all the negative vibes, in 1986, the Mini Rex was accepted. The rest is history. It proves that dreams can come true if you fight hard enough! Love you! Monna
I was born in Texas, grew up in California, then Oklahoma. Lived there until was 34 years old, then moved to California to be with a man I had met through pen pal club. A month after my arrival, we got married - 36 years ago. We transferred to Texas and lived there until 2007. We started raising rabbits in 1983, and in 1984, I saw the first Mini Rex born in my barn. A dream formed itself in my head and when I vocalized it, I was met with great opposition. In 1985, I took some to the Houston ARBA Convention and stirred up a smattering of interest and much ridicule. Moving forward in spite of all the negative vibes, in 1986, the Mini Rex was accepted. The rest is history. It proves that dreams can come true if you fight hard enough! Love you! Monna
Doug King
Being inducted into the NMRRC Hall of Fame was one of the highlights of my life in rabbits. It is an honor that I cherish and hold in high value. I was the second inductee, behind the originators of the breed, the Berryhills.
My life in rabbits began almost 42 years ago, joining 4-H as many others did in our hobby. I bought my first Mini Rex in 1989 and soon began the journey and development of what now has become the breeding and show herd known as "King’s Mini Rex". My show career includes a Best in Show at the 2009 ARBA Convention with a broken black senior doe named Hollywood, in addition to a total of 8 Best of Breeds and 7 Best Opposite of Breeds at Conventions and Nationals. I have coveted the highly prestigious Best Display awards at over 50% of Conventions and Nationals since 1993. I use the phrase, "quality runs deep in this herd", noting the winning of best display awards but also meaning deep toplines! In the 90's I showed just about every weekend and was grateful to win sweepstakes 4 times. I am devotedto the NMRRC and the hobby, attending every Convention since 1991 and every National Specialty since 1992.
My devotion to the NMRRC is a life long project. I joined the NMRRC in 1988 and soon knew in my heart that I would devote much of my life to this wonderful breed and club. I became President in 1996 and held that office for 4 years. During my term we published our first Guidebook, pushed for and doubled membership and was instrumental in driving members to become involved in the club. I am very proud of starting our ARBA banquet tradition, as it was while I was in office that we started our "fancy" banquet as we know it today, taking it up a notch from small all you can eat buffets. I also held the office of Vice President for almost 4 years and was Secretary/Treasurer for 5 years. I view my contributions as Secretary/Treasureras my greatest contribution to the NMRRC and feel the club was never more successful when I held this office. During my tenure, I offered our first ever balanced budget and was part of taking the club from a zero reserve to a treasury of over $50K, which included an expenditure of $12K for our 2006 Guidebook. I have been a dedicated supporter of the club functions and fundraisers and over the years I have been the sport of many fun jokes, which normally ended up with me donating money to one fund or another. One year I paid hundreds of dollars to buy a picture of me judging a national without a tie on ( I have past President Tracy Deifenbach to thank for that). But that is what makes all this worth it, the fun and laughs at the end of the day.
I have been on numerous committees over the years, lending a hand whenever I could. My most rewarding appointment was to Standard Committee for almost 10 years. As Standard Committee Chair, I am
responsible for our Standard of Perfection as we know it today.
This year at the Wichita ARBA Convention I will be presenting the Sable Mini Rex variety along with Jeremy Watmuff. To present a variety is something that I have always wanted to do and I feel it further demonstrates my desire to elevate Mini Rex to be the best breed in the ARBA.
My rabbits are now only shown twice per year, at ARBA Convention and our National Specialty Shows.
It is sometimes difficult to stay motivated when the rabbits sit in the
barnwithout being shown on a regular basis, but my love of the breed and the NMRRC keeps me going. I hope one day that the "King's Mini Rex" legacy will be one that fellow breeders strive to follow.
It is with sincere appreciation that I join the likes of Ken and Monna Berryhill as a Hall of Fame member of the NMRRC.
Being inducted into the NMRRC Hall of Fame was one of the highlights of my life in rabbits. It is an honor that I cherish and hold in high value. I was the second inductee, behind the originators of the breed, the Berryhills.
My life in rabbits began almost 42 years ago, joining 4-H as many others did in our hobby. I bought my first Mini Rex in 1989 and soon began the journey and development of what now has become the breeding and show herd known as "King’s Mini Rex". My show career includes a Best in Show at the 2009 ARBA Convention with a broken black senior doe named Hollywood, in addition to a total of 8 Best of Breeds and 7 Best Opposite of Breeds at Conventions and Nationals. I have coveted the highly prestigious Best Display awards at over 50% of Conventions and Nationals since 1993. I use the phrase, "quality runs deep in this herd", noting the winning of best display awards but also meaning deep toplines! In the 90's I showed just about every weekend and was grateful to win sweepstakes 4 times. I am devotedto the NMRRC and the hobby, attending every Convention since 1991 and every National Specialty since 1992.
My devotion to the NMRRC is a life long project. I joined the NMRRC in 1988 and soon knew in my heart that I would devote much of my life to this wonderful breed and club. I became President in 1996 and held that office for 4 years. During my term we published our first Guidebook, pushed for and doubled membership and was instrumental in driving members to become involved in the club. I am very proud of starting our ARBA banquet tradition, as it was while I was in office that we started our "fancy" banquet as we know it today, taking it up a notch from small all you can eat buffets. I also held the office of Vice President for almost 4 years and was Secretary/Treasurer for 5 years. I view my contributions as Secretary/Treasureras my greatest contribution to the NMRRC and feel the club was never more successful when I held this office. During my tenure, I offered our first ever balanced budget and was part of taking the club from a zero reserve to a treasury of over $50K, which included an expenditure of $12K for our 2006 Guidebook. I have been a dedicated supporter of the club functions and fundraisers and over the years I have been the sport of many fun jokes, which normally ended up with me donating money to one fund or another. One year I paid hundreds of dollars to buy a picture of me judging a national without a tie on ( I have past President Tracy Deifenbach to thank for that). But that is what makes all this worth it, the fun and laughs at the end of the day.
I have been on numerous committees over the years, lending a hand whenever I could. My most rewarding appointment was to Standard Committee for almost 10 years. As Standard Committee Chair, I am
responsible for our Standard of Perfection as we know it today.
This year at the Wichita ARBA Convention I will be presenting the Sable Mini Rex variety along with Jeremy Watmuff. To present a variety is something that I have always wanted to do and I feel it further demonstrates my desire to elevate Mini Rex to be the best breed in the ARBA.
My rabbits are now only shown twice per year, at ARBA Convention and our National Specialty Shows.
It is sometimes difficult to stay motivated when the rabbits sit in the
barnwithout being shown on a regular basis, but my love of the breed and the NMRRC keeps me going. I hope one day that the "King's Mini Rex" legacy will be one that fellow breeders strive to follow.
It is with sincere appreciation that I join the likes of Ken and Monna Berryhill as a Hall of Fame member of the NMRRC.
LINDA THOMPSON
At the 2006 ARBA convention in Ft. Worth, Texas, Linda Thompson became the third member of the very elite NMRRC Hall Of Fame. Linda has been a critical part of the development of the breed prior to its 1986 introduction and has continued to take an active part in the ongoing improvement of the breed. As an an original NMRRC charter member she assisted with the development of the Mini Rex. She has served the club as an officer and has been our finest and most dedicated newsletter editor.
Linda developed, presented and received recognition for both the Tortoise and the tri-color varieties as well as being an integral part of the development of the Blue-Eyed White variety.
Linda is also a renowned wildlife artist and has donated her artwork at numerous auctions as well as creating a series of Mini Rex varieties in natural poses. Her fine artwork can be seen gracing each variety page in this guidebook.
Linda positively promoted the image of both the Mini Rex rabbits and the NMRRC until her untimely death in 2010.
At the 2006 ARBA convention in Ft. Worth, Texas, Linda Thompson became the third member of the very elite NMRRC Hall Of Fame. Linda has been a critical part of the development of the breed prior to its 1986 introduction and has continued to take an active part in the ongoing improvement of the breed. As an an original NMRRC charter member she assisted with the development of the Mini Rex. She has served the club as an officer and has been our finest and most dedicated newsletter editor.
Linda developed, presented and received recognition for both the Tortoise and the tri-color varieties as well as being an integral part of the development of the Blue-Eyed White variety.
Linda is also a renowned wildlife artist and has donated her artwork at numerous auctions as well as creating a series of Mini Rex varieties in natural poses. Her fine artwork can be seen gracing each variety page in this guidebook.
Linda positively promoted the image of both the Mini Rex rabbits and the NMRRC until her untimely death in 2010.
FREDA KRAUS
Freda has been a member in good standing of the NMRRC for over 20 years and is presently an ARBA judge. She is one of the Mini Rex breeders who was there from the beginning of the breed and has continued to be an ardent supporter.
Freda has served on the board of directors numerous times and has represented and supported many committees as well. Freda has generously contributed to the judges’s education Committee, has been asked to judge at Nationals and convention and given educational talks to youth groups at many shows.
Freda was the sponsor for the Chocolate variety and holds the record for breeding and raising the rabbit that brought the highest bid to date for a Mini Rex. ($900.00)
Freda started her rabbit journey with children of her own and feels that is where the growth of this club will come. She is always ready to give a kid not just a good rabbit but a great rabbit.
Freda has been a member in good standing of the NMRRC for over 20 years and is presently an ARBA judge. She is one of the Mini Rex breeders who was there from the beginning of the breed and has continued to be an ardent supporter.
Freda has served on the board of directors numerous times and has represented and supported many committees as well. Freda has generously contributed to the judges’s education Committee, has been asked to judge at Nationals and convention and given educational talks to youth groups at many shows.
Freda was the sponsor for the Chocolate variety and holds the record for breeding and raising the rabbit that brought the highest bid to date for a Mini Rex. ($900.00)
Freda started her rabbit journey with children of her own and feels that is where the growth of this club will come. She is always ready to give a kid not just a good rabbit but a great rabbit.
SANDI LOWRY
Sandi has been instrumental in the development of the Mini Rex breed for well over a decade. She has served the club as an officer and has served and chaired several committees throughout the years including the NMRRC Standards Committee. She has shown her support and dedication to club functions and fundraisers.
Sandi’s rabbitry, Cresthill’s Mini Rex has been synonymous with high quality and consistent National winning Mini Rex.
Sandi has been instrumental in the development of the Mini Rex breed for well over a decade. She has served the club as an officer and has served and chaired several committees throughout the years including the NMRRC Standards Committee. She has shown her support and dedication to club functions and fundraisers.
Sandi’s rabbitry, Cresthill’s Mini Rex has been synonymous with high quality and consistent National winning Mini Rex.
Jerry Parks
Having been selected to the NMRRC Hall of Fame is an honor, I am humbled and grateful. Over the last 20 plus years I have been fortunate to have served in many capacities for the club, District 4 Director, Auction chair for the 24 K, Auctioneer at banquets, Audit Chair and numerous other special committees.
With the change in technology I was able to have donated the very first scanner to the club along with a computer for the secretary way back in 1996-97.My wife and I were pleased to have donated the first variety awards in 2006 with personalized mouse pads featuring Linda Thompsons Mini Rex artwork.
My biggest supporter has been my wife of 44 years, Cheryl. She has seen the good and bad times with my involvement with the club and has stood steadfastly by my side. I know that without her none of this would be possible. She is the real shining star. She was there doing all of the work when we hosted the 2004 Mini Rex Nationals in Colorado. I volunteer and she is always there pitching in working just as hard.
We have been very lucky(with a lot of hard work) to have won many best colored and white fur classes at NMRRC Nationals and ARBA Conventions over the years. Our animals have always placed high in classes and have had variety wins, but we still are in search of the Big One. That drives us to keep improving our herd.
The club has always held a special spot in my heart and I consider myself lucky to be able to serve in any capacity that will benefit the club. I respect the founders and history of the club. Let’s not lose sight of how the club was built and who helped it grow to what it is now.
Currently I am handling the web page at no cost to the club, and have asked that the yearly stipend be placed into the youth scholarship fund. Youth are the future and this is one way I can give back to the club that has given me so much. The friendships and good times are something we look forward to every year as nationals approach and the opportunity to share this great hobby with those that share the same passion.
To have received this award with the Chair being our breeds founder Mona Berryhill, and having it presented by my good friend Doug King was an honor in itself.
I will always be thankful and humbled to be a part of this very select group of Mini Rex Breeders.
Thank you and remember that Mini Rex Dominate.
Jerry Parks
Having been selected to the NMRRC Hall of Fame is an honor, I am humbled and grateful. Over the last 20 plus years I have been fortunate to have served in many capacities for the club, District 4 Director, Auction chair for the 24 K, Auctioneer at banquets, Audit Chair and numerous other special committees.
With the change in technology I was able to have donated the very first scanner to the club along with a computer for the secretary way back in 1996-97.My wife and I were pleased to have donated the first variety awards in 2006 with personalized mouse pads featuring Linda Thompsons Mini Rex artwork.
My biggest supporter has been my wife of 44 years, Cheryl. She has seen the good and bad times with my involvement with the club and has stood steadfastly by my side. I know that without her none of this would be possible. She is the real shining star. She was there doing all of the work when we hosted the 2004 Mini Rex Nationals in Colorado. I volunteer and she is always there pitching in working just as hard.
We have been very lucky(with a lot of hard work) to have won many best colored and white fur classes at NMRRC Nationals and ARBA Conventions over the years. Our animals have always placed high in classes and have had variety wins, but we still are in search of the Big One. That drives us to keep improving our herd.
The club has always held a special spot in my heart and I consider myself lucky to be able to serve in any capacity that will benefit the club. I respect the founders and history of the club. Let’s not lose sight of how the club was built and who helped it grow to what it is now.
Currently I am handling the web page at no cost to the club, and have asked that the yearly stipend be placed into the youth scholarship fund. Youth are the future and this is one way I can give back to the club that has given me so much. The friendships and good times are something we look forward to every year as nationals approach and the opportunity to share this great hobby with those that share the same passion.
To have received this award with the Chair being our breeds founder Mona Berryhill, and having it presented by my good friend Doug King was an honor in itself.
I will always be thankful and humbled to be a part of this very select group of Mini Rex Breeders.
Thank you and remember that Mini Rex Dominate.
Jerry Parks
Jeremy Watmuff
Not often am I speechless! Well one of those rare instances occurred while attending the NMRRC Annual Banquet in Portland Oregon this year. To state it simply, I was surprised, pleased, and most of all honored.
I am truly humbled to be the 2015 inductee into the National Mini Rex Rabbit Club Hall of Fame. When I began raising Mini Rex in 1992, I never imagined this hobby would have allowed me to travel to so many places for the love of breeding rabbits and this hobby has shaped so many incredible relationships throughout the years.
My road leading to the Hall of Fame has been one of true passion and love for the Mini Rex Club. This road has not been traveled alone. My parents Rose and Charlie Watmuff traveled weekend after weekend driving me to shows before I could drive. Always supportive in all that I do and have become a large part of lending a hand with the club when I put too much on my own plate! Margaret Potter took me to my first Mini Rex Nationals in Columbus Ohio and paid for a beautiful Red from Jean Imus that was a must have for my herd (I of course had to pay her back). Finally Doug King for being not only a great friend the last 19 years but also a mentor with my breeding program and always willing to lend a suggestion whether I needed one from him or not. There are many more I consider “family” that have helped me get to where I am today and I thank you.
In closing, I would like to thank the fellow breeders that nominated me, the Hall of Fame Committee for moving my name forward and Thank you to the NMRRC Board for recognizing my passion and dedication to the NMRRC and the Mini Rex breed and selecting me as this years recipient.
Best Wishes in the New Year
Not often am I speechless! Well one of those rare instances occurred while attending the NMRRC Annual Banquet in Portland Oregon this year. To state it simply, I was surprised, pleased, and most of all honored.
I am truly humbled to be the 2015 inductee into the National Mini Rex Rabbit Club Hall of Fame. When I began raising Mini Rex in 1992, I never imagined this hobby would have allowed me to travel to so many places for the love of breeding rabbits and this hobby has shaped so many incredible relationships throughout the years.
My road leading to the Hall of Fame has been one of true passion and love for the Mini Rex Club. This road has not been traveled alone. My parents Rose and Charlie Watmuff traveled weekend after weekend driving me to shows before I could drive. Always supportive in all that I do and have become a large part of lending a hand with the club when I put too much on my own plate! Margaret Potter took me to my first Mini Rex Nationals in Columbus Ohio and paid for a beautiful Red from Jean Imus that was a must have for my herd (I of course had to pay her back). Finally Doug King for being not only a great friend the last 19 years but also a mentor with my breeding program and always willing to lend a suggestion whether I needed one from him or not. There are many more I consider “family” that have helped me get to where I am today and I thank you.
In closing, I would like to thank the fellow breeders that nominated me, the Hall of Fame Committee for moving my name forward and Thank you to the NMRRC Board for recognizing my passion and dedication to the NMRRC and the Mini Rex breed and selecting me as this years recipient.
Best Wishes in the New Year
Margaret Potter
All that I had on my mind the night of the Mini Rex banquet was that everyone would like the venue, the meal and have a good time as it was my job as District Director to arrange it. When Jeremy started to talk about the Hall of Fame award my first thoughts were that as a director I never got an email to vote. Then he went into specifics that could only be true of myself. My emotions run very close to the surface as was evident to everyone quickly. What a huge honor to become a member of the NMRRC Hall of Fame! To have Jeremy be the one to talk and hand me the award could not have been more perfect.
My family got our first Mini Rex in 1991 and joined the NMRRC in 1992 with mostly my daughter doing the showing. The first show we hit with Mini Rex, we met Jeremy. He was fourteen. Charity received BOB and Jeremy was BOS. That was the start of our Mini Rex family. Charity and Brandon showed in both youth and then open. I always had a hand in it and loved the rabbits, the people and the places it took us. Along the way I became the Storekeeper for eight years and then Sweepstakes Chairperson. In 2009 I became District 8 Director. When Charity moved out, it became my rabbitry and eventually only two varieties the himis I love and blacks that added to the himis.
Along this journey many longtime friends were made among them Jeremy who I consider my older son as he is a little older than BJ (Brandon), Sandy Doyle who became a travel companion for shows and a best friend, Doug King, what can I say Doug :) There are of course many more and with each new show, nationals and convention more are made. With my winters now spent in Florida, I figured that I would have to disperse my herd but thanks to another very good friend/family, Penny Sween, I will be able to continue as a partnership with the rabbits I love starting in 2018.
I would like to thank who ever nominated me and the Hall of Fame Committee for recommending me for the award and NMRRC board for recognizing my love for the breed and the people who belong to this wonderful club and giving me this honor in 2017. I am humbled by the people who have come before me and honored to have my name added to the list with them.