Merino ‘capital’ hosts shearing competition

By Ruby Shaw

More than 200 competitors flocked to the "capital of the merino wool industry" at the weekend to take part in one of the world’s only fine-wool shows.

The annual Merino Shearing and Woolhandling competition finished in Alexandra on Saturday night.

Event president Lane McSkimming, of Alexandra, said there had been uncertainty around the event because of the persistent rain in Central Otago in the leadup.

Still, about 1100 sheep from Northburn Station and Merino Ridges had been shorn over the weekend.

"They’ve done amazing keeping them dry from this horrendous weather we’ve had," Mr McSkimming said.

Wet wool could not be shorn as it could damage the wool.

Shearer Shaun Goosen, of Bloemfontein, South Africa, competes in the senior machine shearing heats at the annual Merino Shearing and Woolhandling competition, in Alexandra, on Friday. PHOTO: RUBY SHAW

The show was one of the only in the world dedicated to merino wool, he said.

Alexandra was "pretty much the capital of the merino wool industry" — meaning the winner was one of the best in the world.

"They’re some of the hardest, toughest sheep.

"You need to be the most skilled to shear them ... yet the wool they clip is the most beautiful and most expensive in the world.

"It’s basically white gold."

Competitors worked alongside one another "day in, day out".

"It’s a lot of camaraderie to come to a shearing and woolhandling show and compete against each other."

Organisers worked throughout the year planning the show — "from the minute last year’s finished", Mr McSkimming said.

"It’s a huge job but it’s worth it."

Shearer Pagan Rimene, of Alexandra, competed in the open woolhandling category.

Becoming a top-level woolhandler required repetitive training and studying, she said.

"There’s a lot of competition and everybody is so good."