Shear success for Stratford contest

The New Commercial Hotel hosted the annual Stratford Speed Shears Competition on Saturday night.

The popular event was at the New Commercial Hotel and run by the Stratford Shears group. Jude Dix, owner operator of the New Commercial Hotel, says the event was a great success.

"We were filled with spectators who were lucky enough to see some of the best shearing talent in the country."

The competition was open to competitors of all skill levels, with entrants entering into either open, senior or local farmer sections.

A stage was constructed for competitors to shear on and the live action was streamed on all the screens in the hotel, "which was lucky as there were so many spectators that not everyone could get close enough to the stage."

Jude says the event was supported by local businesses, who all contributed to making the night a success. Sponsors included; CMK Accountants, Shear Taranaki, Glen Law Building, Bradley Livestock Ltd, Brendan Haami, Aiken Transport, Vickers Quarries, DB Breweries, Dimocks 100%, Lanco Excavation, You Needham Electrical, Quintin Oakes Builders, Greig Gibbons Contracting, Stratford ITM, Philip Morresey Livestock, R Munro Shearing LTD, McDonald Real Estate, Don Oakes Motors, Stratford Auto Electrical and Miles Waite PGG Wrightson Livestock.

Jude extends a huge thank you to the organising committee, judges, staff and the volunteers who made this event possible.

As support for this event grows each year, Jude says the competition will definitely be back for 2016.

-Results:

Local Farmer: (1) Rodney Baldock 40.95, (2) Brendon Iremonger 56.32.

Senior: (1) Mick Herlihy 33.85, (2) Craig Herlihy 34.88.

Open: (1) Paerata Abraham 25.54, (2) Jack Fagan 26.10.