New Zealand's newest equestrian sport to feature at Ride the Rhythm

The sport of scurry driving has recently become New Zealand's newest equestrian sport, receiving formal recognition from Equestrian Sports New Zealand (ESNZ) as a horse sport in its own right.

Now Scurry NZ, the sports founding body, is set to demonstrate the high speed action of scurry driving at Forsyth Barr Stadium, when it takes part in the equestrian programme at Ride the Rhythm on Friday 1st February.

Jill Stephenson, one of the founders of Scurry NZ, says the demonstration at Ride the Rhythm will have huge crowd appeal, stating "it's a very exciting and thrilling sport to watch with horse drawn carriages travelling at speeds of up to 30km/per hour.

"It's fiercely competitive with all age groups up against each other, from 12 year olds to 70 year olds."

Based in Canterbury and now in its second season, Scurry NZ has forty registered members including 63 year old great grandfather, Brian Shanks from Dunedin, who will be the oldest competitor in the scurry demonstration.

Shanks and his nine year old miniature appaloosa nicknamed Spot, qualified for Ride the Rhythm coming second at the Canterbury A&P Scurry in November last year.

The Scurry Driving event is the fourth on the programme at Ride the Rhythm with the expected start time at 5.15pm.

Following the equestrian events, British pop group, The Hollies, give their only South Island concert on their '50th Anniversary World Tour.'

For more information go to www.ridetherhythm.co.nz