The dogs have had their day again at the Queenstown Winter Festival.
More than 65 dogs and their owners competed in one of the longest-running events of the festival - the dog derby and dog barking competition.
Entrants along with their furry friends gathered on Coronet Peak to race down the mountain. Some ran, some slid and some rolled - the tactics to get to the bottom varied. Shannon McMillan brought his dog Peg.
The 29-year-old farmer had competed in previous years and reckoned the banter on the hill was good. He was joined by his mate Morgan Stott and his dog Worzell from Owaka.
The two mates said the event was an excuse to have a laugh and get away from chasing sheep for a few days.
The best parts of the race were the free chairlift ride and the beer at the end of the race, they said.
In the afternoon competitors gathered in Earnslaw Park for the Dog Barking Competition.
The rules are simple. The owners get their dogs to jump on to hay bales and if they don't bark on cue the owners have to step in.
Andy Lowes, who recently moved to Queenstown, entered with his dog Radar Von Heisenberg.
Mr Lowes said competition was fierce but no-one worried about any town-versus-country rivalry.
''It is a great way to meet people. Everyone mixes on the mountain and it's a chance for the rural boys to have a few days in town.''
Glenn Taylor, of Mossburn, and his dog Kaz won the country section. Second place went to Tim Ensor, who had travelled from Blenheim to compete with his dog Tess.
Third place went to Daniel Price, of Garston, with his dog Bart.
In the townies section Sean Beale with Sox won, Chris Kent and his dog Burt were second and Aaron Scott, with Buddy, came third.
- Louise Scott
What's on
TODAY
Ideation, QLDC Chambers, 8pm
Ice hockey, Queenstown Ice Arena, 7pm
Night skiing, Coronet Peak, 4pm
TOMORROW
Guided snowshoeing, Remarkables, 8am
Mountain Mayhem, Coronet Peak, noon
Ideation, QLDC Chambers, 3pm and 8pm
Rock night, Earnslaw Park, 5pm
Ice hockey, Ice Arena, 7pm
Masquerade en blanc, Queenstown Memorial Centre, 7pm
