Annual competition shows who's on hop

The Kaninhop championships were held in Weissenbrunn vorm Wald, Germany, last weekend.

The event, which began in Sweden in 1980, has three different categories with obstacle heights ranging from 25 to 40 centimetres (9.8 to 15.8 inches).

Rabbits from all around the globe showed agility, courage and determination to take part in this year's show jumping competition, which is receiving increased popularity each year.

Training for the event begins when the rabbits are young, by walking them using a harness rather than a necklace, which may cause choking.

The official Kaninhop website advises: "To calm or encourage your rabbit it is important that you talk with your rabbit the whole time, both at training and events. Let it have a good experience when it is in the harness.

"Rabbits are hopping for joy. What we do [is] built on the natural movements of the rabbits."