Taste of chaos for shepherds

Fairfax NZ

GET READY: The huntaways wait patiently for the race and shemozzle obstacle course.

Relevant offers

Huntaway farm dogs scrambling up hills with shepherds in tow, a dog-barking contest, and a shearing contractors' challenge will all be part of the Hunterville Huntaway Festival and Shepherds' Shemozzle.

The annual event takes place in the small rural town of Hunterville on State Highway 1 tomorrow.

The feature race, the Shepherds' Shemozzle - now in its 14th year - is a gruelling cross-country obstacle event. Previous years have seen competitors eating raw eggs, dry WeetBix washed down with a can of warm beer, huhu bugs with cold cooking oil, and sheep eyes. Last year, shepherds had to consume raw eggs and drink a bottle of cream.

They start the race in Hunterville Town Hall.

When they hit the road they have no idea where to find their beloved huntaway dogs, tied up in the streets with 76 other dogs.

This year's event will have an international flavour. A Japanese competitor will strut his stuff for a film crew.

The Hunterville Huntaway Festival starts at 12pm. It finishes tomorrow night with a band and dance in a marquee in the town centre.

- © Fairfax NZ News