MANGAWHAI'S NO.1 NEWSPAPER
|
|
Archives
|
Ruawai shearer fleeces oppositionA 26-year-old Ruawai bred but Hastings-based shearer has been crowned the new 2013 Golden Shears champion. Rowland Smith faced tough competition from three former winners to take out the sheep shearing title in Masterton recently. In a tight contest, less than half a point separated the eventual winner Smith from four-time winner John Kirkpatrick, with 2006 winner Dion King, and 2010 Champion Cam Ferguson close behind.
In January brothers Doug and Rowland Smith stamped their mark on shearing history by smashing an 11-year-old record in a Hawke's Bay woolshed, shearing a combined total of 1066 ewes to beat the world two-stand eight-hours strongwool ewes shearing record of 986 set by the Te Huia brothers in 1999.
In so doing, both surpassed their own personal best tallies in what was a great curtain-raiser to the ultimate in shearing. After winning eight other finals in the six weeks leading into Golden Shears week, Smith was favourite with the bookies and although he wasn't the fastest to shear his allocated 20 sheep the quality of his shearing secured him the title. There was a poignant moment at the presentation when Smith, who had lost his mother to cancer, donated his $3,000 prize to cancer research. Recently married to world record shearer Ingrid Baynes the Smiths now have all the ingredients to ensure a strong future in the sport. Just as the iconic black jersey is to rugby (and though Smith has won shearing competitions throughout the world) Masterton’s Golden Shears still reigns as the ultimate prize.
|
|
CONTACT US
|