SHARYN MILLER
The skill and art of sheep shearing is usually witnessed by only a few out on remote farms. But last Saturday night the shearers came to town to put their talents to the test at the annual Speed Shearing Competition which is held at the North Nelson Country Club at Wakapuaka on the outskirts of Nelson.
The event combined a country atmosphere with the excitement of a speed shearing competition, the outcome was always going to be a fun experience for the large crowd.
The night started with three local farmers demonstrating their shearing skills in the farmer clean shear category, this is more about how well the sheep is shorn, more than timing.
The fleece throwing event followed with ten entries, the aim is to pick up the freshly shorn fleece and throw it onto the wool table, skirting off any soiled wool. This was judged on how well laid out the fleece was as well as timing. Then it was time for the shearing guns to wow the crowd, starting with the female section who combined grace and precision, in my opinion these ladies had some of the cleanest shorn sheep of the night. Next the men had three sheep to shear against the clock as well as presenting a cleanly shorn sheep to the judges. Each round the time it took to complete got faster and faster keeping the crowd on the edge of their seats. The athleticism and skill of the competitors was certainly the highlight of the night.
To finish the night off there was the Team Competition that involved one team member eating a meringue, another drinking a pint of beer and the combination of a shearer using a hand propelled shearing machine operated by the last team member! Most of these competitors were locals having a huge amount of fun. One suggestion for next year, how about the best Mullet competition? There certainly were some impressive varieties of Mullets amongst the crowd, that would be fun!
Thanks to Cable Bay Farm for supplying the sheep for the Speed Shear event and Pepin Island farm the sheep for the Wool Throwing section. Also, to the organisers who certainly put in a huge effort to run such a successful event – I look forward to being involved next year.
