Rabbit show jumping (sometimes known as rabbit dressage or rabbit hopping) is a competition in which trained domestic rabbits leap over appropriately sized obstacles. The activity began in the late 1970s in Sweden (where it is known as Kaninhoppning). 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 people compare rabbit show jumping to equestrian show jumping. Trainers and devotees can win titles and awards during events sponsored by groups such as the U.S. Rabbit Agility Association, Rabbithopping-USA, the American Association of Sporting Events for Rabbits, 4-H Club fairs, and other venues. Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway and the United Kingdom hold local and nationally sanctioned events.
The event depends on the type of rabbit, with separate competitions for small rabbits and larger rabbits. The rules are quite different in all countries except Sweden and Norway, therefore it's hard to organize an international competition. Rabbit jumping is also an activity in America, but has not gained widespread popularity. The official world record in high jump for rabbits is 1 meter (39.37 in), by Snöflingans Majesty of Night & Tarkan Sönmez (Sweden). The official world record in long jump for rabbits is 3 meters (118.11 in), by Yaboo & Maria Jensen (Denmark).
Read more about Rabbit Show Jumping: Breeds
Famous quotes containing the words rabbit, show and/or jumping:
“The rabbit presses back her ears,
Turns back her liquid, anguished eyes
And crouches low; then with wild spring
Spurts from the terror of his oncoming;”
—D.H. (David Herbert)
“The first year was like icing.
Then the cake started to show through.”
—John Ashbery (b. 1927)
“Unwind, hands,
you angel webs,
unwind like the coil of a jumping jack,
cup together and let yourselves fill up with sun
and applaud, world,
applaud.”
—Anne Sexton (1928–1974)