Jumping bunnies hopping over from Sweden for show

Swedish jumping rabbits first appeared at the Small Animal Show at the Great Yorkshire Showground in 2011, and four of the creatures will be back this month, jumping over hurdles and obstacles and hopping their way around a course, after two years away due to popular demand.

Paul Threapleton, one of the main organisers of the event, first got the bunnies to Yorkshire after spotting videos of them in action on YouTube.

He said: “The first year they came to the show it was a huge success, and we’re looking forward to seeing them in action again.”

The four professional jumping rabbits are being brought over from Sweden by the Small Animal Show’s main sponsor Burgess Pet Care.

Richard Rockett, from Burgess, said this year’s “Grand National of the rabbit world” promised to be better than ever.

Professional rabbit jumping trainer Karin Molin said: “My rabbit Micro loves the events and has had several high placements from championships in Sweden and did very well in England last year.

“His record in high jumping currently stands at 85cm high, we hope to beat it in Harrogate.”

The show, which takes place on January 24 and 25, will see around 3,000 chinchillas, gerbils, hamsters, mice, rabbits and rats competing over two days.

For tickets visit www.thesmallanimalshow.co.uk.