Hopping versus Agility

Rabbit hopping and rabbit agility differ by the equipment used.  Rabbit hopping uses only hurdles, whereas, rabbit agility uses hurdles along with a variety of contact and non-contact jumps.  The equipment could include an A-Frame, Bridge, Pause Box, See Saw or Teeter Totter, Tire Jump, and a Tunnel.

History

Rabbit performance sports started in Sweden in the 1970's when the first rabbit club started to arrange rabbit jumping competitions.  At that time, rules were based on the rules for horse show jumping but were later modified to better suit rabbits.  In 1987, the first national championship was held in Stockholm, Sweden and several rabbit hopping clubs were formed to support the growing interest.

In 2001, rabbit hopping came to America.  In 2013, the American Hopping Association for Rabbits and Cavy (AHARC) was chartered with the American Rabbit Breeders Association and the first official National Competition for rabbits was held at the ARBA National Convention in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.