Get your collars ready - a rush of Jack Russells are about to race through Wānaka.
The annual K9 Natural Jack Russell Race is an undisputed highlight of the town's two-day A&P show and this year over 60 dogs are expected to attend.
The Jack Russells take off Photo: JAMES ALLAN
The A&P show marketing manager Gina Treadwell jokes that although any canine resembling a Jack Russell is invited to enter you "can't bring a labrador".
"[The race] happens in a split second and then it's all over. They chase something and they're released at one end of the park making their way to the other end of the park where it is just mayhem."
The world-famous Jack Russell race has been a drawcard of the Wānaka A&P Show since 1998 when it was introduced by the Burdon family who'd seen a similar event in the United Kingdom.
The terriers run a lap of the arena with a little encouragement from a dead hare being dragged along by a horse. Photo: Jodie Rainsford Photography
The energetic terriers line up at the start line, then run a lap of the arena with a little encouragement from a dead hare being dragged along by a horse.
There is a winner but only time will tell if Harry - the event's five-time champion - will once again be top dog.
Months of intense training is not required for the race, Treadwell says - one sniff of the hare and the naturally adventurous terriers are ready to run.
The most important thing to ensure is that entrants are trained to return to their owner after the race.
Winners of the Jack Russell race excited by their catch Photo: Jodie Rainsford Photography
The annual A&P show was cancelled last year, and this weekend 40,000 people are expected to walk through the gates, Treadwell says.
"There is a lot of excitement that it is back on board and we've just had phenomenal interest from exhibitors. We were booked out for exhibitor tents two or three months ago, which is a first."
The farrier competition is a new event on this year's show calendar, she says.
"It's horseshoeing... it reflects on this desire for people to learn about the country and rural life.
"They have to make [horse shoes] and fit them as part of the competition ... they're doing it here onsite."
The Jack Russell Race takes place at 12.15 pm on 11 March 2023.
