From 15 to 17 September 2023 our 35th meeting of the IG Englische Widder, the international English Lop interest group, took place in the enchanting Glarnerland, the canton of Glarus in Switzerland.
On Friday afternoon our host Reto Stucki already gave the members who had arrived a warm welcome with a drink at his small livestock rabbitry. This was followed by a workshop on traditional pastry (Pastete) making at a manufactory in Engi, and then a relaxed, sociable evening at the Schützenstube in Allmeind Glarus.
On Saturday we gathered at our host’s exemplary small livestock rabbitry, where a wide variety of small animals could be admired, including quails, geese, chickens, guinea pigs, German Fox rabbits and, of course, English Lops. After a delicious Swiss cheese fondue came our traditional stock assessment with training, led by Franziska Sprenger and Jasmin Groß, who assessed the animals against the German, European and Swiss standards. The great variety of colour varieties was particularly impressive.
There were clear differences here, especially in the mantle marking and the body shapes. Some of the animals came from German breeding and some from Switzerland. Young and adult animals were assessed in the colour varieties blue-grey, black, Thuringian, chinchilla, yellow-and-white, yellow, blue-and-white, dark grey-and-white and blue-grey-and-white. Some of the animals were still very young, so we could only give a brief overview of their general condition. The ears of all the animals shown were promising; unfortunately some showed small injuries, but these were nevertheless useful for training and as illustration for the breeders and visitors present.
After the stock assessment we also visited the Glarus cantonal museum (Landesmuseum Glarus) and then gathered for the annual general meeting (AGM) at the Schützenstube Allmeind Glarus.
Our 1st spokesperson, Phillip Fritz, chaired the AGM and welcomed 12 members and 2 guests. Sadly, our long-standing member Kurt Marolf (Switzerland) died last year; the members held a minute’s silence. Afterwards, Rösli and René Karpf were honoured for attending the IG meeting 30 times. Further honours were given for 20, 10 and 5 attendances.
The spokespersons’ reports followed. For private reasons, Phillip Fritz is unfortunately no longer able to serve as 1st spokesperson. The new election took place after the reports.
Claudia Gerst (treasurer) gave an overview of the IG’s current finances and membership. The IG currently has 46 members.
Franziska Sprenger (breeding and shows) reported on the current state of English Lop breeding. In the 2023 breeding year a total of 486 youngsters in 21 colour varieties were reported, a decrease of 122 youngsters compared with the previous year.
René Karpf (international cooperation) reported on events in Switzerland and explained the reasons for stepping down as 4th spokesperson.
In the elections, Jasmin Groß agreed to stand for the office of 1st spokesperson. As there were no other candidates, the vote was held by show of hands. There were no votes against and no abstentions, so Jasmin Groß now leads our IG as 1st spokesperson. Congratulations!
René Karpf proposed Reto Stucki as his preferred successor for the office of 4th spokesperson. Here, too, there were no other candidates. Reto Stucki was elected 4th spokesperson unanimously by show of hands. Warm congratulations!
The outgoing spokespersons, Phillip Fritz and René Karpf, were thanked and recognised for their work.
The coming meetings were planned before the host family treated us to a lavish buffet of regional specialities.
On Sunday morning we visited the “House of Läderach”, a chocolate manufactory, before saying our goodbyes over a three-course lunch at the Schützenstube Allmeind Glarus.
With unforgettable memories of a magnificent breeders’ meeting in Switzerland, marked by exquisite food and an impressive supporting programme, we say goodbye full of gratitude and looking forward to future get-togethers.
Franziska Sprenger
3rd spokesperson