As Hunterville's shemozzle reached its 20th year there were a few surprises added to the mix.
Dodging rugby tackles from the Manawatu Turbos and water sprays from fire hoses and water bombs made the races that much more challenging.
But chairman of the Hunterville Huntaway Festival, Shane Ratima, said Saturday's shemozzle was without a doubt the biggest one yet.
"It was a fantastic day with beautiful weather and spectators were at an all-time high. Everything went off without a hitch as far as a shemozzle goes."
The annual event started as "the ultimate shepherds' race" in 1997 until a children's race was added and then in 2013 a teen's race was thrown into the pool.
Mr Ratima said as the event hitthe 20th year milestone it has transitioned into a family outing.
"The free entertainment for kids was a big winner ... it has really turned into a family event rather than a day for the shepherds.
"We had a couple of big caravan groups come in who parked up on Friday and loved the day and said they would be back next year."
Angus McKelvie from Tangimoana was named the overall winner with a reputation for taking the title years prior.
Mr Ratima said Mr Mckelvie won the shepherd's race handsomely.
"He would have been a good 300m ahead and even had time to turn back and pick up his dog when he got him off the wheelbarrow and wave his little paw to the crowd which was pretty cool."
After clean up Mr Ratima said the committee will get cracking on next year.
Video Teens Shemozzle
2017 Results:
Children's Shemozzle
Overall Winner - Harvey Meyer
Boys 1st - Harvey Meyer
Boys 2nd - Remy Early
Boys 3rd - Will Collier
Girls 1st - Eden Goodwin
Girls 2nd - Jade Guiniven
Girls 3rd - Annabel Symes
Interschool Challenge - Huntley
Photo Gallery
Teen's Shemozzle
Overall Winner - Flynn Kowalewski
Boys 1st - Flynn Kowalewski
Boys 2nd - Zane Brooks
Boys 3rd - Ethan Gillespie
Girls 1st - Sarah Lambert
Girls 2nd - Caitlyn Alabaster
Girls 3rd - Ana Brabyn
Interschool Challenge - Whanganui Collegiate
Teen Ag Challenge - Palmerston North Boys High School
Shepherds' Shemozzle
Overall Winner - Angus McKelvie (Masters)
Mens 1st - Nick Tipling
Mens 2nd - James Taylor
Mens 3rd - Aaron Haynes
Womens 1st - Charlotte Georges
Womens 2nd - Lis Giesen
Womens 3rd - Katie Bates
Masters 1st - Jack Simpson
Masters 2nd - Mike Cranstone
Masters 3rd - Mike Black
1st Local Male - Andy Lock
1st Local Female - Destiny Scott
Station Challenge - Otiwhiti Station