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ABC News
ABC News
National
By Candice Prosser

Bounding bunnies do battle at Royal Adelaide Show

Dibble is one of the star bunny jumpers at the Royal Adelaide Show.

If you think show jumping only involves horses, think again.

Rabbit show jumping is a popular drawcard at the Royal Adelaide Show and it can be a serious business.

The competitors may be extremely cute and cuddly, but they are judged on their speed and agility against a strict set of criteria.

'Dibble' is one of the star competitors — he's a natural at long jump and hurdles.

His owner Mary Lomas started entering him into show jumping last year.

"He was really, really good. He took it out all the categories last year so he's a bit of a natural entertainer," she said.

"He's a huge personality and being a little bit hyperactive kind of helps too I think … he loves the attention."

Judge Suzie Smith said there were many rules for judging, with all tricks timed and measured to exacting standards, but added that the competition was a lot of fun for everyone involved.

"Our competitors do take it very seriously, they enjoy it, they prepare their rabbits really well," she said.

"The whole emphasis on the jumping is for the rabbit and the handler to have fun, so they do take it seriously but they take it seriously in a fun way."

It's clear that all the humans involved in the competition adore their rabbits.

Breeder Julia Smith is no exception.

"They're awesome, it's hard to sort of sum it up in a few words about rabbits," she said.

"They're always there when you need them, they love you, it's unconditional, they're wonderful."

As for the competitive streak, it really depends on the rabbit's personality.

"If they want to jump they jump, I don't make them they just do it," Ms Smith said.

Ms Lomas agrees.

"It's fun, the rabbits enjoy it, you know you can't take it too seriously we're jumping rabbits not show ponies, but I think we have fun."

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