Waukesha County Introduces
The Sport Of
Rabbit Hopping
The Sport Of
Rabbit Hopping
Donna Towell
4-H Rabbit Hopping Key leader
Wisconsin State Fair Superintendent
Pioneered the program for both Waukesha County and the
Wisconsin State Fair
The sport of Rabbit Hopping was introduced in 2004 to the Waukesha County Fair by the kids in the Prairie
Pioneers 4-H Project and is now being run by Donna Towell as a county wide project. In 2015 the Wisconsin
State fair will be holding their first Rabbit hopping event open to the world.
Rabbit Hopping is a sport that was started in the early 1970's in Sweden with the rules, guidelines and jumping
equipment being similar to horse show jumping but on a smaller scale. Its popularity spread to Denmark,
Germany and England. By the year 2001 the first national Rabbit Hopping Organization of America was formed
here in the United States by Linda Hoover.
Rabbits have 2 minutes to complete a course ranging from 8-12 jumps with the heights from 2 inches to 20
inches. Each jump can have a different and creative design ranging from two poles holding a stick to the
sophisticated elite water jumps.
Pioneers 4-H Project and is now being run by Donna Towell as a county wide project. In 2015 the Wisconsin
State fair will be holding their first Rabbit hopping event open to the world.
Rabbit Hopping is a sport that was started in the early 1970's in Sweden with the rules, guidelines and jumping
equipment being similar to horse show jumping but on a smaller scale. Its popularity spread to Denmark,
Germany and England. By the year 2001 the first national Rabbit Hopping Organization of America was formed
here in the United States by Linda Hoover.
Rabbits have 2 minutes to complete a course ranging from 8-12 jumps with the heights from 2 inches to 20
inches. Each jump can have a different and creative design ranging from two poles holding a stick to the
sophisticated elite water jumps.
Rabbits are first trained to feel very comfortable in
harness attached to a 6-foot lead. They are then
introduced to the jumps and with a little
encouragement and patience the rabbit will begin to
jump. The rules are very strict when it comes to the
safety of the animal so the handler is not allowed to
use their feet to move the rabbit forward or lift their
rabbit with the lead. It takes the skill of the handler
and the willingness of the rabbit to make a winning
team.
harness attached to a 6-foot lead. They are then
introduced to the jumps and with a little
encouragement and patience the rabbit will begin to
jump. The rules are very strict when it comes to the
safety of the animal so the handler is not allowed to
use their feet to move the rabbit forward or lift their
rabbit with the lead. It takes the skill of the handler
and the willingness of the rabbit to make a winning
team.
We are finding Rabbit Hopping to be a lot of fun for
the rabbit pet owner because they are able to learn
about taking care of their rabbits, spending time with
their furry friend and both the rabbit and the
handler are getting some exercise.
Most rabbits are eligible for Rabbit Hopping
Purebreds, mixed breeds, spayed and neutered
rabbits are all welcome to jump. It is not
recommended for rabbits that are 9 1/2 lbs or larger
and all rabbits have to be 5 months to 6 years of
age. These restriction are for the health and safety
of the rabbit . The handler may be 7 years old to an
adult to enjoy this sport.
the rabbit pet owner because they are able to learn
about taking care of their rabbits, spending time with
their furry friend and both the rabbit and the
handler are getting some exercise.
Most rabbits are eligible for Rabbit Hopping
Purebreds, mixed breeds, spayed and neutered
rabbits are all welcome to jump. It is not
recommended for rabbits that are 9 1/2 lbs or larger
and all rabbits have to be 5 months to 6 years of
age. These restriction are for the health and safety
of the rabbit . The handler may be 7 years old to an
adult to enjoy this sport.
During training time the children and adults were able to work with their rabbits at the Rabbit Hopping practices.
They were able to see if their rabbit was one that would enjoy this sport. Several handlers were very surprised
to find out they had natural athletes and their rabbits weren't afraid to hop the course. With lots of practice,
rabbit and handler are able to compete in a Hopping event.
Our Rabbit Hopping events are now offering The Straight line, Crooked course, Team Relay, High Jump , Long
Jump, and Agility course.
They were able to see if their rabbit was one that would enjoy this sport. Several handlers were very surprised
to find out they had natural athletes and their rabbits weren't afraid to hop the course. With lots of practice,
rabbit and handler are able to compete in a Hopping event.
Our Rabbit Hopping events are now offering The Straight line, Crooked course, Team Relay, High Jump , Long
Jump, and Agility course.
This page goes to the event Rules and Regulations on the Wisconsin State Fair web site.
Entry forms will be posted in May
Entry forms will be posted in May
This page goes to the event Rules and Regulations for Agility
This is a page explaining what a Judge,Timer, Scorekeeper, Gate Keeper
and Rail Runners do at an event
This page are samples of the forms we use for events
Click On Picture To Make Larger
Watch some amazing Rabbit Hopping
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5jwKDC3Y0U&app=desktop
Rabbit hopping in slow motion
http://www.youtube.com/watcToh?v=9J0trazYgeM
This is the UK, a Grand National for small animals, was held in the town of Harrogate
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnWS8rmfqbk
This link will take you to the clips from the TV show "The Amazing Race" where they had rabbit hopping as one of the challenges
This link will also take you to many other Youtube videos to watch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5jwKDC3Y0U&app=desktop
Rabbit hopping in slow motion
http://www.youtube.com/watcToh?v=9J0trazYgeM
This is the UK, a Grand National for small animals, was held in the town of Harrogate
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnWS8rmfqbk
This link will take you to the clips from the TV show "The Amazing Race" where they had rabbit hopping as one of the challenges
This link will also take you to many other Youtube videos to watch.