More than 60 terriers are expected to compete in the Jack Russell Race at the Wānaka A&P Show next month.

The annual K9 Natural Jack Russell Race takes place on Saturday March 11 as part of the show, which attracts more than 40,000 people each year as one of the South Island’s largest lifestyle events.

Wānaka A&P Show event manager Jane Stalker said the Jack Russell race is an undisputed highlight of the two-day show.

“The atmosphere is quite incredible – it is fantastic to see thousands of people in one place, gathering around the arena to have a good laugh,” she said. 

The hare is towed before the race begins to inspire the terriers.

“It is always one of the most memorable parts of the show, especially for the younger ones.”

The Jack Russell race has been a drawcard of the Wānaka A&P Show since 1998 when it was introduced by the Burdon family, after being inspired by a similar event they saw in the UK. 

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.

This year, Southland police officer Ashleigh Smail will be riding the horse and only time will tell if veteran Jack Russell Harry – the event’s five-time champion – will once again be top dog.

“We invite any proud owners of a Jack Russell to bring him or her along to the next race. It’s free to enter and it’s guaranteed to be a great show,” Jane said.

Months of intense training are not required for the race – one sniff of the hare and the naturally adventurous terriers are ready to run. 

The Wānaka A&P Show will take place on March 10-11, 2023.

Find more information here.

PHOTOS: Supplied