International Hedgehog Olympic Gymboree™ (IHOG)

IHOG can be compared to dog agility competitions, but it has a character all its own. Hedgehogs may compete in single events or in all five. Ribbons for the top six finishers in each event are awarded plus medals for the pentathlon winners -- the hedgehogs that scored the highest number of points for all five events.

Next IHOG in the Carolinas:
Saturday, April 27, 2002 at 2:00 p.m.
Part of the Pet Fair
at Mullet Hall County Park, Johns Island, SC

Pre-register for this IHOG today!

At the Pet Expo in April 2001, our first competition, IHOG consisted of sprint, shot put, hurdles, floor exercises, and a costume contest. At Paws in the Park in October 2001, we added a garden slalom and changed the costume contest to be a separate event.

For more photos of the fall IHOG,
see Knarla Pog's Photo Gallery and Larkspur's Garden.

Sprint

The sprint is a timed race over a Hamtrac oval in an exercise ball. All competitors must provide their own exercise ball. The winner is the hedgehog that completes the course in the fastest time. There is a two minute maximum to complete the course.

1. Knarla Pog (Heather and Chopper Johnson) 0:37
2. Larkspur (Melanie Abell) 1:15
3. Skittles (Judie Peters) DNF

Shot Put

The shot put is run on a short stretch of Hamtrac with competing hedgehogs in their own exercise balls. The hedgehog rolls its ball down the track and hits a smaller hamster ball at the end. Two hits are allowed. The winner is the hedgehog that rolls the exercise ball the farthest. There is a two minute maximum to complete the course.

1. Larkspur (Melanie Abell) 5 sections
2. Knarla Pog (Heather & Chopper Johnson) 3 sections

Garden Slalom

The giant slalom resembles a down hill skiing slalom course. Hedgehogs compete using an exercise ball. They must maneuver the ball through the "flags" (potted plants, or, at Paws in the Park, pumpkins) to the end of the course. There is a three minute limit for this event. The hedgehog completing the course in the fastest time wins.

1. Knarla Pog (Heather and Chopper Johnson) 0:43
2. Larkspur (Melanie Abell) 0:55

Hurdles

In this event, hedgehogs compete over a series of short hurdles in a closed course. The hedgehog to complete the course in the fastest time wins. Handlers are allowed to bribe their hedgehogs with any reasonable treat with the exception of live crickets. No live crickets are allowed. A short practice course is available during check in.

1. Skeezix (Jennifer Plombon) 0:07
2. Larkspur (Melanie Abell) 0:08
3. Knarla Pog (Heather and Chopper Johnson) 0:32
4. Skittles (Judie Peters) 0:59

Floor Exercises

If your hedgehog has done well in a "mystery race" event -- they should do fine in the floor exercises. The floor exercises include a horse, rings, balance beam and similar obstacles. This event is for all those runner hedgehogs who love to explore anything. If you are training for this event, the best training is to expose your hedgehog to a wide variety of obstacles during the day.

1. Knarla Pog (Heather & Chopper Johnson) 21 points
2. Larkspur (Melanie Abell) 20 points
3. Skeezix (Jennifer Plombon) 15 points
4. (tie) Twix and Skittles (Judie Peters) 7 points

Costume Contest

Hedgehogs will be judged on factors including originality, personality, and overall effect. Owners may dress in coordinating costumes with their hedgehogs, but this will not be a factor in the judging for this event.

1. Skittles (Judie Peters) as "Butterfly"
2. Skeezix (Jennifer Plombon) as "Skeeterbug"
3. Larkspur (Melanie Abell) as "Snow Cone"
4. Twix (Judie Peters) as "Butterfly"
5. Knarla Pog (Heather and Chopper Johnson) as "Harry Potter Witch"

Pentathlon Results

Gold -- Knarla Pog (Heather and Chopper Johnson)
Silver -- Larkspur (Melanie Abell)
Bronze -- Skittles (Judie Peters)