Amanda & Willow!

We started this project in 2006 as part of our 4-H project. We wanted to do something other than the typical 4-H rabbit project, which is usually market (meat) rabbits. I wouldn't have the heart to do that to my little buddy Willow. This was my 2nd year doing the rabbit project, so when Krysta joined the rabbit project, we got together and did some research into new and different ideas for the project. We discovered rabbit hopping and that it originated in Sweden in about 1980. So we began researching how to train the rabbits, we tried clicker training (which didn't work to well for Willow), then started with poles and gradually raised them until they started to jump them. Then we just kept raising them. Now they jump the jumps. Willow started jumping off leash at the Chestermere fair September 2007. It's very cool to see the progress he's made over the past year. I'm very proud of him.

How Willow came to be mine.
I saw Willow at one of our local pet stores. Due to some issues with the store, the store ended up giving him to me. He's been my best little friend ever since. He was about 2-3 months old at the time. It just goes to show you don't have to pay a big amount and have a fancy pedigree to get a great hopper!