New course test for dogs and owners

Competitors and their canine companions bolt down the mountain. Photo by Stefan Haworth.
Competitors and their canine companions bolt down the mountain. Photo by Stefan Haworth.
Pru Heaney (left) and Sophie Scott before the Dog Derby. Photo by Mandy Cooper.
Pru Heaney (left) and Sophie Scott before the Dog Derby. Photo by Mandy Cooper.

A new course for Dog Derby competitors created a lot of heavy panting at The Remarkables ski area yesterday.

Due to its closure last week, Coronet Peak was unable to host the Queenstown Winter Festival event which meant a harder workout for entrants at the new location.

Veteran competitor Sophie Scott (26), of Kingston, said there was less sliding, more running and the course was longer than usual - which she liked.

Each competitor and their dog rode the chairlift up the mountain before racing back down.

The section for town-dwellers and their pets was a simple race from top to bottom.

However, the rural section had an extra complication as owners had to send their canines back up the hill and around a flag.

Whistles were loud and numerous as some dogs listened carefully while others were occupied by the crowd.

Daniel Price, of Athol, and his dog Bart won overall.

Newcomer Pru Heaney (26), of Nevis Valley, said she "came a gutser a couple of times'' but with a grin on her face said she would definitely do it again.

But there is a possibility yesterday's Dog Derby could be the last.

The festival plans to downsize from 10 to four days next year.

Decisions about which events will be cut have yet to be made.

Miss Scott, who has competed about five times, said she was keen for the race to continue.

"It's a good local day out and it's one of the original events of the festival''

The Dog Derby has run every year since the festival started 42 years ago.

Later in the day, many of the competitors also took part in the Dog Barking competition at Earnslaw Park.

One of its rules was the human had to bark if their dog did not.

A few of the dogs could not handle the pressure, leaving their owners howling.

The top dog was the one with the loudest bark and most crowd appeal and Jesse Porter (Manapouri) and dog Guss took home the title this year.

The Queenstown Winter Festival runs until Sunday.

mandy.cooper@odt.co.nz

 


Programme

Today

Noon: Dodgeball Championships, Earnslaw Park.

6.50pm: Ice hockey (Stampede v Canterbury Red Devils), Queenstown Ice Arena.

10pm: Winter Boat Party with DJP-Money, Spirit of Queenstown, St Omer Wharf.

Tomorrow

Noon: Mountain Mayhem, The Remarkables.

6.50pm: Ice hockey (Stampede v Canterbury Red Devils), Queenstown Ice Arena

7pm: The Ball, Queenstown Memorial Centre.


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