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10 October 2024
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National Shearing Circuit
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Big start to National Shearing Circuit: Round 1 complete!

The 2024/2025 PGG Wrightson/Vetmed National Shearing Circuit has kicked off in a big way, with a possible record of 37 entries in the opening fine-wool round, held at the New Zealand Merino Shears in Alexandra last weekend.

PGG Wrightson/Vetmed National Shearing Circuit first round leader Stacey Te Huia. The first round was held last weekend at Alexandra, the second round is at Waimate on Saturday.

But there’s no time to rest for competitors. The second round takes place this Saturday at the Waimate Spring Shears in South Canterbury, where they’ll shear strong wool ewes. Waimate Shears chairman Warren White reports that entries for the two-day event are nearing capacity, including for the separate national winter comb events, which are not part of the circuit.

This five-round series, which incorporates the prestigious McSkimming Memorial Triple Crown (first contested in 1972-1973), will continue with:

  • Canterbury Shears’ National Corriedale Championships – November 15
  • Rangitikei Shearing Sports (lamb shearing) – February 1
  • Pahiatua Shears (second-shear sheep) – February 23

The top 12 shearers, based on points earned throughout the heats, will qualify for the final stages, held on the last day of the Golden Shears in Masterton (February 27-March 1). The champion will secure a spot in the 2025-2026 New Zealand trans-Tasman team and a year’s use of a Hyundai Santa Fe.

What stands out this year is the strong North Island contingent, with five of the top 12 from the opening fine-wool round hailing from the North Island. Additionally, the international field is stronger than usual, featuring competitors like former World and Golden Shears champion Gavin Mutch (Scotland) and Welsh team member Llyr Jones, alongside other notable international entries from Australia.

Top competitors returning for this year’s series include:

  • Three-time champions Nathan Stratford (2014, 2022, 2024) from Invercargill and Angus Moore (2012, 2020, 2023) from Seddon.
  • Two-time winner John Kirkpatrick (2013, 2018) from Hawke’s Bay.
  • Former champions Dion Morrell (1997) from Alexandra, Paerata Abraham (2019) from Masterton, and Leon Samuels (2021) from Roxburgh.

Provisional points and placings after the first round:

  1. Stacey Te Huia (Mossburn) – 12pts
  2. Jack Fagan (Te Kuiti) – 11pts
  3. Nathan Stratford (Invercargill) – 10pts
  4. Axle Reid (Taihape) – 9pts
  5. Paerata Abraham (Masterton) – 8pts
  6. Alex Smith (Rakaia) – 7pts
  7. Hemi Braddick (Eketahuna) – 6pts
  8. Paul Robertson (Australia) – 5pts
  9. Dion Morrell (Alexandra) – 4pts
  10. Brett Roberts (Mataura) – 3pts
  11. Catherine Mullooly (Matawai) – 2pts
  12. Leon Samuels (Roxburgh) – 1pt

Others (in order of placing at Alexandra, 1pt each): James Fagan (Te Kuiti), Colin Dennison (Omarama), Lionel Taumata (Taumarunui/Gore); Paul Hodges (Geraldine); Angus Moore (Ward/Seddon), James Ruki (Te Kuiti), Hugh De Lacy (Rangiora), Gavin Mutch (Scotland/Dannvirke), Corey Palmer (Dipton), John Kirkpatrick (Pakipaki), Norm Harraway (Mossburn), Casey Bailey (Riverton), Taare Edwards (Ashburton), Paraki Puna (Napier), Thomas Lambert (Christchurch), Floyd Neil (Taumarunui), Chris Dickson (Raetihi/Masterton), Beau Guelfi (Gisborne), Adam Gordon (Masterton), Kevahn Stringer (Ranfurly), Llyr Jones (Wales), Kyle Mita (Masterton), Willy McSkimming (Oamaru), Josh Winders (Invercargill), Ringakaha Paewai (Gore). 

The National Shearing Circuit promises to deliver another season of thrilling competition as shearers battle for top honours.

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