For 25 years, Paul Avery has been shearing sheep, he even managed to win a world title, but he has decided to put down the shears, and put on the running shoes.
Paul told the Stratford Press that retiring was inevitable and the time has come to hang up the
shears.
``You've got to make a choice one day, don't you? It was hard because I know I can still do it,'' says the 44-year-old.
One of the hardest decisions for Paul, was saying no to the world champs in Masteron next year, as it's right on his back door step.
``That was the hardest decision to say I'm not going to do it, because I know I probably could.''
Instead the Toko farmer will be running, biking and kayaking when he takes on his second Coast-to- Coast one-day endurance race next year in Canterbury.
Paul placed first in the veteran's section this year and finished third overall for the two-day event.
``It was bloody tough. I was shattered by the end of it but it was a buzz at the same time,'' he says.
A long with three other local farmers, Paul has been training six days a week, fitting in three runs, three bike rides and kayaking.
``We're all farmers and we just have to fit the training around our farming.''
``I always thought it would be good to have a go and tick the box,'' he says.
Shearing has become second nature to the 1000-acre farmer, but he believes it's time to step aside and let the young shearers make their mark on the world, but shearing will always be a part of his life.
Paul helps organise the shearing competitions at the Stratford A&P show, in which he also competed.
``I'm had a go, but it wasn't the same serious Paul Avery everyone are used to. I thought I might as well have a play while I'm there,'' he laughs.
The highlight of Paul's shearing career came in 2008 when he won the world title in Norway.
His first title came in 1985, at the Manawatu junior final and he rose through the ranks to become one of New Zealand's all-time greats.
