In the wake of such a dramatic turnaround, not only Harvey was demonstrating a massive upsurge in energy. So too did his partner display a similar change in behavior. Whereas previously he'd been content to lounge about and warmly encourage the rabbit on, the latest events had succeeded in jerking Richter unsteadily to his feet. The sight of his buddy shooting clear through the tunnel infused him with overwhelming excitement demanding to be expelled. Instinctively squaring up for a fight, arms started winding up while frantic hops tossed him side to side. The absolute deluge of confetti upon the forum dared to impede speech as colorful dots coated his snout. He swiped lips with the back of a paw, spat, and spluttered past whatever remained clinging to them.

"How about that! You see what I mean?" Words collided at such a rapid pace that his hollering bordered on unintelligibility, consonants and vowels merging into a twangy mush of high emotions. "Keep your jumping up, and you'll be at the end before anyone can say, 'finish line.' Won't that be nice? We can both have a good meal soon!"

Speaking of jumps, another was drawing closer with each bound Harvey took. It promised a far from pleasant soaking if he fell short of its challenging length. At the very last second before slamming into the obstacle, he crouched low to prepare for the final lunge. Back legs ground deep imprints into the sand, and then the Lesser soared, the almost brush of belly fur against the hurdle's top indicative of how close he'd been to bashing it down. Sacrificing so much height for distance, once the initial challenge had passed, the rest was smooth sailing—or rather skimming. Although forever on the edge of plummeting into the drink, no watery filth stained his pelt. Furthermore, he landed a couple hops past the end of the hazard, instantly rushing onward at breakneck speed.

Richter swung some wild celebratory punches. "Way to show you're the hoppiest fella out there!"