Wild horses couldn't keep novice shearer Dylan McGruddy away from the Golden Shears that starts in Masterton on Thursday.
The 14-year-old has been getting lessons from former women's world lamb shearing champion Jills Angus Burney, along with Masterton junior shearer Ethan Pankhurst.
Dylan is the son of Francine and Chris and at
the weekend was being tutored in nostalgic surroundings, being the shearing shed belonging to his late grandfather, Terrance McGruddy, at Mauriceville.
Angus Burney first met Dylan when he was 9 and he then asked her if she would teach him to shear.
"His mum wouldn't let the shearing-mad youngster learn properly until last year, when he sent a business card to all his farming neighbours asking for sheep so he could practise for the Golden Shears."
At last year's shears Dylan got his first competition chance and took part in the novice section after borrowing gear from his older brother Terrance.
That experience will stand him in good stead for this year's contest, as he has muscled up, has good gear and has practised hard by shearing up to 120 ewes a day.
