‘Beer’ wins at the DB Export Dog Barking Competition

MEDIA RELEASE FROM THE AMERICAN EXPRESS QUEENSTOWN WINTER FESTIVAL:

6PM NZT, JUNE 26 2014

‘Beer’ wins at the DB Export Dog Barking Competition

The ever-popular DB Export Dog Derby and Dog Barking competitions took place at Coronet Peak and downtown on Earnslaw Park today, with the new Dog Barking Champion appropriately named ‘Beer’ doing farmer Cesil Stanway from Waimahaka proud.

The Dog’s Day Out started at Coronet Peak with the DB Export Dog Derby – one of the original events on the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival Programme – as 24 ‘townies’ and 35 country dogs paced to the finish line.

American Express Queenstown Winter Festival Manager Lisa Buckingham was delighted with the turnout.

“The DB Export Dog Derby has been a highlight of the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival since it started in 1975, and is one of the few events that is also celebrating 40 years,” said Lisa Buckingham, American Express Queenstown Festival Manager.

“This year was a special event with amazing support from our new sponsor, DB Export. A huge thank you to the many participants that travelled especially for the event, and an all-out effort by Coronet Peak to ensure the 40th running of the event was as good as ever,” said Ms Buckingham.

After riding the Greengates Express, competitors and their dogs then skidded, slid, tumbled and rolled their way down Coronet Peak’s Shirtfront in the chaotic fashion the event is known for. The country division had the added challenge of whistling the working dogs up a steep course and back down again. Every year it is the last hurdle that sees many not complete the course.

The hugely anticipated 40th DB Export Dog Derby on Coronet Peak will be remembered by local Queenstown farmer Chris Dagg as finally victorious. On his 21st attempt, he and his dog Bully not only completed the Derby for the first time but the placed third in the country division after Hayden Ross and Gem from Nokomai Station (1st) and Baz McLean and Bess from The Catlins (2nd).

More locals, Sean Beale and Sox were the winning ‘townies’, beating Queenstown hounds and their people Brad Saville and Cliff, coming in second, and Hilton Scott and Rizila, taking third for the second year running.

Following the Derby and a gourmet BBQ ‘shout’ for all the competitors by DB Export, the Dog Barking competition at Earnslaw Park brought all competitors into town to try for the title of Loudest Bark – human or canine. If any of the dogs got stage fright, owners had to step in for their dogs resulting in Nicola and Dani from Queenstown standing in for Zac and taking out the prize for Best Human Bark.

The DB Export Dog Barking champion for 2014 was Beer, cohort of farmer Basil Stanaway from Waimahaka. Second was Brock with Roy Web from Mt Dewar Station, Queenstown and third Bro with Angus Ross from Garston.

The Best Dressed Dog was Sash, who modelled a doggie Swandri and her owner Tony Buckingham of Waimahaka donning a matching three piece Swandri suit.

Highlights for day eight the American Express Queenstown Winter Festival tomorrow include the Dodgeball Championships with Crabbie’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer at Earnslaw Park, where 32 teams will fight it out for dodgeball stardom.

Tomorrow night, skiers and boarders will head up to Coronet Peak for the American Express Night Skiing – the first of the season under more lights than ever before, with ZM’s Ministry of Sound Radio Sessions DJs Mikael Wills and General Lee providing a fitting soundtrack. Local ice hockey team the Southern Stampede face off against Botany Downs in the first of a two game match up.

DB Export Evening Sessions continue daily on Earnslaw Park from 4:30pm to 7:30pm. Attendees on Friday will enjoy an Open Mic night, while Saturday is Rock Night.

To see the full line up of the programme and individual event details check out the complete American Express Queenstown Winter Festival calendar online at www.winterfestival.co.nz or pick up a programme at information outlets throughout the region.

ENDS

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