Little Hoppers Set For Big Competition At The UK's Largest Small Animal Show

Final preparations are underway for the biggest rabbit jumping attraction, that will see Sweden's top rabbits and their owners travel to Yorkshire to compete with the UK's finest rabbit jumpers at the Burgess Premier Small Animal Show, held at the Yorkshire Event Centre in Harrogate, on 29-30 January 2011.

Rabbit Jumping is becoming increasingly popular in the UK and show organiser, the Bradford Small Livestock Society, is delighted to host such a prestigious event.  The sport originated in Sweden in the late 1970s, following the same rules as horse jumping, and as the sport became more widely recognised, it evolved to become more rabbit friendly.

Rabbits are natural hoppers of course! The current world record for the highest jump was set in 1997 by Danish rabbit Tosen, who jumped almost a metre, and the long jump record was set by another Danish rabbit, Yabo, who hopped an amazing three metres (10ft) in 1999. The Burgess Premier Small Animal Show could be the venue for some more record breaking bunny hops. 

Naomi Chatterley, marketing manager at Burgess Pet Care and Small Animal Show sponsor, said: "Because of their natural agility, the rabbit's love it, and it's fun for rabbit and owner alike. It's also helps demonstrate to people who attend the show, or who might be thinking of getting a pet rabbit, just how much exercise and space they do actually need. The rabbit jumping is a fantastic addition to the show and one that is sure to attract a great deal of interest, as the craze has captured the imagination of so many small animal lovers."