Dogs Rule The Day at the DB Export Dog Derby

Dogs Rule The Day at the DB Export Dog Derby

Queenstown Thursday June 25 6.30 pm

High Country sheep dogs and suburban pure breeds shared centre stage today as their owners raced them down the fresh powder snow of Coronet Peak in the DB Export Dog Derby, part of the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival.

The DB Export Dog Derby saw tough working dogs and pampered pooches race down the slopes, sometimes with their owners in control but more often with the dogs taking the lead.

The event tests the relationship between man and dog, especially in sub-zero temperatures. The competition is split into Country and Townies, capturing the friendly rivalry between the relative sophistication of Queenstown and the rugged alpine sheep stations in the surrounding mountains.

Glenn Taylor aged 21 from Mossburn with his dog Kaz took first place in the Country section. It was Glenn’s second year in the competition and a first for Kaz who took charge early in the race, dragging Glenn to decisive victory. Second place went to Tim Ensor, aged 25, who’d travelled all the way from the Blenheim to compete with his dog Tess. Third place went to Daniel Price from Garston with his dog Bart.

In the Townies section Sean Beale with Sox came first with Chris Kent and his dog Burt second. Aaron Scott with Buddy came third.

The second part of the day was based in central Queenstown for the DB Export Dog Barking competition. In this challenge the prize goes to the dog which barks loudest in front of the crowd but if the dog doesn’t bark then the owner has to step in and do the job themselves. In this event the Townies and Country dogs were all competing head to head with the field being reduced to the top five … and then in a final heat to the last three. First place went to Henry Murray from Tekapo with Munt. Second was Emile Bomer from Queenstown with his dog Kip. Third was Stu Graham also from Queenstown with his dog Skye.

The DB Export Dog Barking competition had a total of 54 entries, up by thirteen on 2014. The DB Export Dog Derby on Coronet Peak had 67 entries - eight up on last year.

The American Express Queenstown Winter Festival runs through to June 28 and attracts over 45,000 visitors to Queenstown as well as bringing over $55 million into the economy.

ENDS

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