- 24/12/2011
Jumping Bunnies Jet in from Sweden - 01/12/2011
Celebrating 90 Years of the Small Animal Show - 29/11/2011
2012 Small Animal Show Hotel Partner - 01/11/2011
Countdown to the 90th Small Animal Show - 01/09/2011
Celebrating 90 Years of the Bradford Small Livestock Society - 09/02/2011
Small Animal Show Hits Headlines for Burgess Pet Care - 24/01/2011
Showcase Square Line Up Announced! - 21/01/2011
Jet-Setting Bunnies Hop to Yorkshire for the UK's First Rabbit Grand National - 18/01/2011
Young Grand Designers Win Pet Palace Competition - 23/12/2010
Ready Steady Show!! - 06/12/2010
Last Call for Traders... - 25/11/2010
Little Hoppers Set For Big Competition At The UK's Largest Small Animal Show - 17/11/2010
Have you got the Pet Factor? - 09/11/2010
Setting the Stall Out for Success - 04/10/2010
Design Your Pet A Palace - 17/09/2010
Burgess Premier Small Animal Show Celebrates the 100th Edition of Fur & Feather Magazine - 18/08/2010
New website and identity launched for January event - 17/05/2010
Big changes for the Small Animal Show...
Jumping Bunnies Jet in from Sweden
Thousands of Small Animals are expected to hop, leap and bound to the 2012 Burgess Premier Small Animal Show, as the Event prepares for its 90th Show and its unusual sporting attraction, the UK's only Rabbit Grand National.
The best bouncing bunnies are in training to compete in the remarkable sporting spectacle, which has captured the imagination of Small Animal lovers across the UK following the inaugural competition at last year’s Show.
The Rabbit Jumping attraction takes place at the Burgess Premier Small Animal Show, the ‘Crufts’ of the Small Animal world, which attracts more than 3,000 Cavies, Gerbils, Hamsters, Mice, Rabbits and Rats. Open to the public on 28th & 29th January 2012, the Event showcases a trade area which will house a range of stalls selling craft, food and pet products as well as the Showcase Strip Activity Zone, where children’s activities along with the rabbit jumping will be taking place throughout the weekend.
Show Organisers are thrilled that the Rabbit Grand National, which took place in the UK for the very first time last year, is set to become a regular event. Hopes are high that Britain can reclaim the title from Swedish rabbit `Cherie`, who hopped to victory at last year’s Show. More than 10 Rabbits are likely to take part in the timed display and tackle the course, which is based on horse jumping, but designed to be rabbit friendly.
The current world record for the highest rabbit 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. It is hoped that this year’s competition could be the venue for some more record breaking bunny bounding.
Matilda Hedlund, from Sweden, who is responsible for bringing the Scandinavian competitors to the show, and who will be competing with her rabbit `Dilba`, said: “We are thrilled to be hopping back to Harrogate this year, and hope to retain the winner’s trophy for a second consecutive year. The sport originated in Sweden in the late 1970s, but it has grown significantly in Britain over the last few years. We expect some thumping competition this year!”
Naomi Chatterley, Marketing Manager at Burgess Pet Care and the Small Animal Show Sponsor, said:
“Rabbits are natural hoppers and, because of their agility, it’s natural and healthy for them to hop.
Rabbit jumping is fun for owners and rabbits alike, but these rabbits have been specially trained for jumping and travelling. While we wouldn’t encourage just anyone to do this with their own pet rabbit, it does demonstrate to people who might be thinking of getting a pet rabbit, just how much exercise and space they do actually need.
We are delighted to be welcoming back our Swedish competitors, and are working hard to create a hutch from home for them all!"
The Rabbit Grand National will take place at 11am, 1pm and 3pm, both Saturday and Sunday, in the main Showcase Strip Activity Zone. Visit www.smallanimalshow.co.uk for more information.
Tickets to the Show are just £7 for adults, £3 children, a family ticket is £18 for two adults and three children, admission for children under five is free. Tickets can be purchased on the day at the ticket kiosk.
The Show is open from 9.00-17.30 on Saturday 28th and 9.00-16.00 on Sunday 29th January.