Race rabbits caught on the hop

SWEDEN took the honours in what was billed as the First Rabbit Grand National – a series of races over hurdles held during "the Crufts of the small animal world" at Harrogate this weekend.

By The Newsroom

Published 30th Jan 2011, 22:24 BST

Updated 30th Jan 2011, 22:24 BST

The Burgess Premier Small Animal Show, better known as the Bradford Championship Show, but renamed after its main sponsor and moved to the Harrogate Event Centre, attracted a record 10,000 visitors to see more than 3,000 rats, mice, guinea pigs and gerbils. The show has been organised by the Bradford Small Livestock Society since 1929.

The hurdling event was dominated by schoolgirls and their pets and a rabbit called Cherie, owned by Magdalena Ansblom, from Stockholm, was winner. Best British competitor was Phoenix, who came from Surrey with Nicole Barrett.

In the showing competition, the best rabbit was a white Angora from partners Whincup and Grindley of Derbyshire. The Belgian hare pictured in the Yorkshire Post on Saturday, with owner Paul Threapleton of Selby, was best buck hare.

Harrogate Derbyshire