Gisborne fencing ace Garrick chasing three-peat at Rural Games

Gisborne gun fencer and reigning champion Tim Garrick is among a crack field competing in the NZ speed fencing event at the NZ Rural Games in Palmerston North next week.

Two-time defending champion Tim Garrick will be the man to beat in the NZ Speed Fencing Championship at next week’s New Zealand Rural Games.

The Games are being held in Palmerston North from March 13-15. The fencing champs are on Day 2.

Gisborne contractor and 2025 NZ Rural Sportsman of the Year finalist Garrick claimed NZ speed fencing titles at the Rural Games in 2024 and 2025.

Last year, he also won the Golden Pliers national singles title and the Silver Spades doubles crown alongside regular fencing partner Cory Twigley.

The Rural Games bring together elite competitors from across the North Island to showcase their speed, precision and craftsmanship under pressure.

In an NZ Rural Games media release, NZ Fencing Competitions chairman Tony Stafford said the depth in this year’s seven-strong field was incredible.

“You’ve got world champions, multiple Golden Pliers winners and hungry young blokes all chasing the same title.”

Standing in Garrick’s way is Hawke’s Bay’s Tony Bouskill, a former world champion, five-time Golden Pliers winner and the 2019 Rural Sportsman of the Year.

Twigley will also be in the mix, having made four Golden Pliers finals appearances.

The pair’s Silver Spades victory at the Fieldays in 2024 saw them defeat the legendary father-son combination of Shane and Tony Bouskill.

Joining Garrick and Twigley in the title chase will be fellow Tairāwhiti fencing contractor Kupu Lloyd.

Lloyd has over 20 years of experience, including time in the New Zealand Army, during which he built a security fence in the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt.

Since 2023, he’s qualified twice for Silver Spades finals and placed second in the Bill Schuler singles for competition rookies.

Flying the youth flag will be Wairoa young gun Kerley, 19, who has only been fencing for two years, but competed in the Bill Schuler final at the nationals at the 2025 Fieldays nationals, a stepping stone towards the Golden Pliers.

Future Post NZ founder Jerome Wenzlick said it was proud to support the event.

“These competitors bring the same work ethic and determination to the arena that they bring to the fence line every day.

“With Tim Garrick chasing a three-peat and champions like Tony Bouskill looking to reclaim the title, it’s shaping up to be a cracking event.”