Saturday March 1 2008

KIMBOLTON’S Ronnie Goss took on a strong field to win New Zealand’s toughest woolhandling event last night at the Golden Shears 2008 in Masterton.
Goss battled Christchurch’s Angelique Gage along with Hanatia Tipene of Porongahau and Joel Henare from Gisborne to win the Open Woolhandling Final.
Goss and Gage led the opening minutes with perfect throws against a couple of nervous starts from the other two competitors.
The Kimbolton handler then held her own against her younger opponents with a calm presence and lightening speed.
The commentators marvelled at the neatness of her work and her ability to keep her workspace spick and span while still maintaining a lead in time.
Her biggest threat was Gage, who was also very consistent, and all four competitors raced in top gear towards the finish, displaying a very impressive standard of handling.
But the judges’ penalty points saw Goss emerge the winner.
In competition woolhandling the least penalty points win and Goss finished with just 231 followed by Gage in second with 233, Tipene at third with 257 and Henare fourth with 278.
Goss thanked the event organiser and sponsors.
“Thanks to the Golden Shears for the opportunity to do what we did tonight and thanks to my husband, my children and to the young girls and the young fella…what an awesome job they did and I’m so grateful,” she said.

For a full results and archived video action see www.goldenshears.co.nz.

For free images or further information contact the Golden Shears Media Group at goldenshears@pete or phone 021 488 137 or 027 5788 137. International callers phone 006421 488 137 or 006427 5788 137.