ARLINGTON — It all started with a rabbit from a feed store.

Seven years, multiple state and national awards and hundreds of furry creatures later, Autumn Dennistoun has turned her hobby into a year-round family affair.

Earlier this month 14-year-old Autumn was the top-placing competitor in her age group in the American Rabbit Breeders Association’s National Convention.

Competitors in the convention must submit a written application, complete a written test, interview with judges and compete in both a rabbit identification and judging contest.

“There’s very strict guidelines,” Autumn said. “I started working the application process in June and its due in August. The interviews are the part that makes me the most nervous.”

The home-schooler’s hard work paid off.

For the second consecutive year, she claimed the top position in the 12- to 14-year-old age group, and was named Duchess of what she calls “rabbit royalty.”

“It’s a big deal in the rabbit world,” said her mom, Heidi. “That night, there’s a big banquet and all the girls get their hair done and dress up.”

This year’s convention was in San Diego, but the location of the national competition changes each year.

Heidi Dennistoun said the family has gotten used to traveling for rabbit events. Autumn also competes in regional and state competitions throughout the year, and even her brother, Christian, shows rabbits.

“Usually it’s less boys competing,” said James, Autumn and Christian’s dad.

The Dennistoun family doesn’t just show rabbits — they have an entire barn devoted to breeding and raising rabbits.

Currently, more than 90 rabbits live in a converted 10-stall horse barn on the Dennistoun’s property just off SR 530 east of Arlington.

“When I got to church and talk to new people, normally the amount of rabbits we have surprises them,” Autumn Dennistoun said. “They sometimes look at me strangely.”

Both Autumn and Christian spend about an hour each day feeding and tending to the rabbits, and typically devote Saturdays to cleaning the entire up after the four-legged animals.

Despite the large number of rabbits in the barn, Autumn said she has names for all of them, such as Estella and The Cuteness.

“A lot of them look similar, but they have different facial features,” Heidi said.

The rabbits at the Dennistoun barn range in age from eight weeks old to nearly 8 years of age, and are all shapes and sizes.

“I have friends that have 300 rabbits,” Autumn said. “I like rabbits because they’re quiet.”

Autumn has been competing in rabbit competitions since shortly after she received her first rabbit in 2002.

Within a couple of years she was taking part in the Washington State Rabbit Breeders Association conventions. She was first named to state “rabbit royalty” in 2005, and the family has been traveling and competing in national events since then.

“It’s fun to go to competitions,” Heidi said. “You end up where you won’t normally go.”

Autumn said she’s going to continue working with rabbits as she gets older, and is currently registering to become an official judge with the American Rabbit Breeders Association.

“It’s a growing event,” she said. “Sometimes you win, sometimes you don’t.”