Thursday February 28 2008

Josh Bruton, 20, of Ontario, Canada, fleeces a sheep at New Zealand’s premier shearing contest today.
Bruton competed for the first time at the Golden Shears in Masterton in New Zealand’s North Island and made a good showing for the maple leaf.
He said he came to New Zealand to shear big numbers and a season’s kiwi experience saw him enter the Intermediate Event for shearers who have recorded a shed tally of up to 310 sheep in a 9-hour day.
He didn’t make the final but said he had enjoyed shearing his four sheep under the bright lights of the competition stand.
“Me and a friend shear a run at home and then I go to the UK for their season, and I’ve been to America to shear. I’d done a bit of shearing before I came to New Zealand but went to shear school over here.
“I came here to get more experience and go where the big numbers are, there’s not as many sheep at home. The mobs are so big here.”
The Golden Shears runs from Thursday February 28 to Saturday March 1 and sees competitors from New Zealand, Norway, Australia, the UK, Ireland, Canada, and South Africa battle for the top titles.

For a full programme and live video action see www.goldenshears.co.nz.

For free images or further information contact the Golden Shears Media Group at goldenshears@pete or phone 0064 21 488 137 or 0064 27 5788 137.