Rabbit show jumping

Rabbit show jumping is a competition in which trained domestic rabbits leap over appropriately sized obstacles.

This novelty sport began in the late 1970s in Sweden. It was popularized in the United Kingdom following an appearance on the TV show "That's Life!". There are more than fifty rabbit show jumping clubs throughout Scandinavia.

Some consider the practice to be laughable, considering it a parody of more "serious" competitions such as equestrian show jumping. However, trainers and devotees take it very seriously. The sport depends on the type of rabbit, with separate competitions for small rabbits and larger rabbits. Generally, long-haried Angora type breeds are excluded from competing because of the difficulties their coats cause with agility and vision.

The official world record in high jump for rabbits is 995 millimetres (39.17 in).The official world record in long jump for rabbits is 3000 millimetres (118.11 in).

See also

* Rat agility
* Dog agility

External links

* [http://www.kaninhop.dk/uk/ Rabbit show jumping, care and feeding of rabbits (with videos and photos)]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNPOdffkkLo Video of rabbit competition (clips from www.kaninhop.dk)]
* [http://www.kaninhop.dk/uk/ Rabbit Show Jumping in Denmark]
* [http://www.skhrf.com/ Rabbit Show Jumping in Sweden]
* [http://www.rabbitagility.net/ Rabbit Agility info]
* [http://www.rabbitagility.com/ Rabbit Agility]
* [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Rabbit-Hopping-Agility-Jumping/ Rabbit-Hopping-Agility-Jumping on Yahoo]