Dannevirke's Maurice Beatson is one of 15 finalists for the Norwood NZ Rural Sports Awards for 2019, which take place on Friday in Palmerston North.
The finalists are leaders in both traditional rural sports such as shearing, fencing, wool handling and dog trials, and newer sports like gumboot throwing, cowboy action shooting and tree climbing.
"The range of rural sports represented in this year's nominations is extraordinary and I love the fact we're honouring people from young athletes just starting to make their mark, to the lifetime achievers and those who work away in the background to make sure our rural sports can happen," Sir Brian Lochore, chairman of the New Zealand Rural Sports Awards judging panel, said.
Beatson is in the Toyota Lifetime Legacy category, along with Ricky May representing harness racing and Hugh McCarroll shearing.
The awards dinner will be held on Friday night at the Awapuni Function Centre in Palmerston North, the night before the Hilux New Zealand Rural Games where nominees and winners will be competing.
