Leah takes on the men

New Zealand women are fast proving there's nothing they cannot try their luck at, and Matau's Leah Iremonger is no exception.

The 30-year-old sheared her way to third place in the junior section at Stratford's A&P show last weekend.

``I love it - the physical side of it and proving women can shear,'' she says.

Leah has been shearing since she moved on to a 121-hectare sheep and beef farm with her husband Jason, who also shears at shows but has only been competing for about four years.

Being able to get up there ``with the boys'' and prove herself is a buzz, says Leah.

``I love the feeling of the sweat dripping off my nose. It's very physical. It's pretty hard on your body especially at the start, and really hard on your back, but you get used to it,'' she says.

Leah decided to learn how to shear after becoming sick of rousing while her husband sheared their sheep.

And she was quick to answer what her future goal is. ``To beat my husband.''

Her time of 39.53 on Saturday was one of her fastest and she was thrilled with the result.

``I was really stoked. I didn't really think I would get anywhere.''

Seeing women compete is becoming more common in Central Taranaki, she says.

``There's four of us local women shearing. There's nothing a Central Taranaki woman can't do.''