Champion fleece one of the best in years

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

OTOKO farmer Fraser Tombleson won the prestigious T.S.White Memorial Shield for the second year in a row yesterday for the supreme champion wool fleece at the Show.

The Haurata Station owner added the Tombleson name again to a trophy that family have dominated for years.

His champion crossbred fleece headed off a challenge from Muriwai’s Coventry Station, who finished runner-up to the supreme champion.

“Fraser’s winning fleece was probably one of the best we’ve had in the Show wool competition over the years,” said head steward Ross Buscke.

“It was a Perendale fleece that was true to its breed.

“Overall our top fleeces were a really good line-up this year,” he said.

Judge Grant Irwin, of Dannevirke, said the winning fleece was “brilliant”.

“It was a standout fleece. The crimp definition was very even across the whole fleece and staple — definitely a very worthy winner.”

Mr Tombleson said it was a privilege to win it again.

“Credit to my father Warwick’s breeding. I’m taking advantage of what he did previously. I’m stoked to have produced something that was everything the judge was looking for and what’s desired in a good fleece.”

Coventry Station owner Charlie Dowding was rapt with their runner-up effort.

“We’re absolutely thrilled and well done to our manager Alastair MacPherson.

“We’ve kept our focus on all the attributes of the sheep — the meat and the wool.”

Results — Fleece from hogget, shorn as lamb 28-33 microns: Haurata Station 1, D and C Coop 2, G and R Tombleson 3.

33.5 to 35.5 microns: G and R Tombleson 1, D and C Coop 2, Coventry Station 3.

36 microns and stronger: Coventry Station 1 and 2, D and C Coop 3.

Fleece from hogget, Merino or Merino cross 24 microns or finer: SR and L Buscke, 1, Sandra Faulkner 2.

From mature sheep, Merino or Merino cross: SR and L Buscke 1, 2 and 3.

Mature shears: Rata Hills Station 1, Moana Station 2, Mt Florida Station 3.

Hogget shears: Tahora Station 1, Puketoro Station 2, Kupenga Station 3.

Champion shears: Tahora Station.

Reserve champion shears: Rata Hills.

Hogget fleece, black or coloured: Sue Grayson.

Mature fleece black or coloured: Sue Grayson, 1, Karen Beckman 2.

Silver Challenge Cup for most points: SR and L Buscke.

Champion fine wool fleece and reserve champion fleece: SR and L Buscke.

Champion cross-bred fleece: Haurata Station.

Reserve champion Coventry Station.

Supreme champion fleece: Haurata Station.