Fleece flies in Taranaki Shears

The 2017 Taranaki Shears takes place on Friday.

It will be fleece, not fur, flying as the Taranaki Shears comes to the Stratford War Memorial Hall on Friday, March 17.

The event, now in its 32nd year, attracts competitive shearers from around the country, and this year will feature several past and present champions.

Current world champion shearer, Johnny Kirkpatrick from Napier, will be competing, as will the current Golden Shears champion Rowland Smith, also a former world champion.

Last month Rowland clipped his way to not only win the open-class title at the Counties Shears in Pukekohe but mark his impressive century, with 100 open-class shearing titles to his name.

He is possibly only the fourth person in New Zealand to have achieved this century, and two of the other shearers to have cracked the century will also be competing at the Taranaki event.

Johnny Kirkpatrick has more than 200 wins while Taranaki local Paul Avery has 178 wins under his belt. The only one from the illustrious list of four who won't be at the event is Sir David Fagan, who retired with 642 wins.

Taranaki certainly has its share of champions with Gavin Mutch of Whangamomona, a past world champion, also set to compete at the event.

Taranaki Shears president Paul Avery says shearing is great sport to watch.

"Especially when it gets to the semis and the finals, it gets exciting and the crowd certainly get on their feet cheering on their favourites."

The finals are thrilling to watch even if you don't know much about the sport.

"The guys are giving it their fastest speed and dealing with a live animal at the same time. It takes a lot of skill to be able to control the sheep while shearing at the speed they achieve."

Shearing is a unique skill, and takes plenty of dedication to reach the top of the sport.

With about 100 competitors expected, Paul says the day is busy, with never a dull moment.

"The day takes a lot of organising and we certainly owe our thanks to all who get involved behind the scenes, catering, keeping score and keeping it all running on schedule throughout the day."

The event organisers are also grateful to the Taranaki Electricity Trust (TET) for funding.

"The day costs about $23,000 to run. It doesn't come cheap."

With more than 800 sheep being trucked in for the day it certainly isn't a small event either.

"This year the sheep are being provided by Robert and Jane Brown of Mangamingi and their son Nick Brown who farms out at Toko," says Paul.

As well as the main competitions, a special trophy is up for grabs for the second year, says Paul.

"The Michael Herlihy Memorial Trophy for the Best Quality Shearer Overall (excluding open class) will again be awarded. This trophy is very special as it is in honour of Michael Herlihy, who passed away early last year."

Paul says this year's Taranaki Shears is an event to watch.

"It will be truly pitting the best against the best."

2017 Taranaki Shears: Stratford War Memorial Centre. Friday, March 17. Junior grades 9am, senior and open grades after lunch. Free.