MEDIA RELEASE
On behalf of Shearing Sports New Zealand
October 9, 2014
Top blades shearers confirmed for Waimate test
A rematch of two of the World’s top blade shearing teams is set for the Waimate Shears on Saturday (October 11) with
confirmation both New Zealand and Australia will be the same sides that finished second and third in this year’s World
Championships.
The New Zealand team of Tony Dobbs, of Fairlie, and Brian Thomson, of Christchurch, who were beaten only by South Africa
in the World final in Ireland, will be up against South Australian shearers John Dalla, of Warooka, SA, and Ken French,
of Glenisla, Vic.
The selection of Dalla and French for the shears in Waimate, about 210km south of Christchurch and incorporating the New
Zealand Spring Shearing and Woolhandling Championships, was confirmed by Shearing Sports Australia this week.
Crossing the Tasman just the day before the test, they’ll be among about 150 shearers and woolhandlers at the 47th
annual shears, being held in the small South Island town’s sports stadium.
At least 1400 full-wooled sheep are being prepared for the busy programme of events, which will also include machine
shearing championships in four classes, the open blade shearing championship, and the deciding of three woolhandling
titles.
Apart from the blade shearing test, the highlight is expected to be the Open machine shearing event, with six-times
winner and new Shearing Sports New Zealand Master Shearer Nathan Stratford, of Invercargill, out to regain a title he
last won in 2009.
In his way are expected to be such competitors as defending champion and 2010 winner Cam Ferguson, of Waipawa, and King
Country icon David Fagan, another multiple winner who last triumphed at Waimate in 2011.
The heats of the open shearing are also the second round of the PGG Wrightson National Shearing Circuit, which opened
with the finewool leg at the New Zealeand Merino Championships in Alexandra last Saturday. Top points scorer in the
compulsory first round was 2012 circuit winner Angus Moore, from Marlborough but now living in South Otago.
A top field is also expected for the open woolhandling event, which was won last year by Keryn Herbert, of Te Awamutu.
Shears secretary Eileen Smith is expecting a particularly busy stay, starting at 7.30am, or earlier if people are ready.
The Junior woolhandling is first, but entries will close-to double the original expectation of 15-16 entries for that
grade.
It’s likely the show will have to dispense-with or shorten its breaks to ensure the programme is on track for the
Waimate blades heats and final to complete the afternoon. The blades test starts the evening programme at 6.30pm..
ENDS