Gone to the dogs

Amy Zareei and huntaway-heeler cross Boo find a vantage point to watch the Dog Derby competitors...
Amy Zareei and huntaway-heeler cross Boo find a vantage point to watch the Dog Derby competitors cross the finish line. Photos by Guy Williams.
Enjoying the Dog Derby at Coronet Peak last week are (from left) Erin McGimpsey, Virginia...
Enjoying the Dog Derby at Coronet Peak last week are (from left) Erin McGimpsey, Virginia Anderson and Lisa Hamilton, all of Winton, with canine friends Harley (left) and Max.

The 40th running of the Dog Derby at Coronet Peak proved to be a slippery slope for about 60 dogs and their owners last week.

Skidding, sliding, tumbling and rolling their way down the ski area's Shirtfront, many human competitors lost their footing on ice near the bottom of the course and piled into a safety fence en masse.

The townies raced first, with Sean Beale and Sox, of Queenstown, leading the field home.

The country competitorsthen had the added challenge of whistling their working dogs up and down the steep course. Hayden Ross and Gem, of Nokomai Station, took line honours.

Later, Beer, owned by Waimahaka farmer Cesil Stanway, won the dog barking contest. at Earnslaw Park.

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