The World's Greatest Shearing Competition This Week

THE world's greatest shearing competition swings into action this week when the 49th 
Golden Shears in Masterton, New Zealand, begins.

The Golden Shears runs from Thursday March 5 to the always-spectacular finale on the 
night of Saturday March 7.

An added attraction this year will be the inaugural test between Wales and New Zealand 
on Friday night.

Golden Shears president Mavis Mullins said hot competition in the top grades at shears 
around the country during the last month would make for an exciting show.

"It's wide open in the open grade. There's been a sharing around of the spoils at 
competitions, John Kirkpatrick and Paul Avery have featured a lot but Dean Ball won in 
Pahiatua at the weekend," she said.

"No one's giving in so that's keeping the blood pressure up."

Kirkpatrick would be looking to defend his 2008 Golden Shears title while Avery will 
want to finish the competition season on a high note after his 2008 World Championship 
win.

Mrs Mullins said a big turnout was expected on the Friday and Saturday nights of the 
competition and people unable to get to Masterton would be able to watch the action live, 
as in 2008, via the Golden Shears website at www.goldenshears.co.nz. 

"It's all on track and people are really excited. There's a real feeling it's going to be a 
great event," Mrs Mullins said.

The competition starts with the Department of Labour novice shearing heats just before 
8am on Thursday and runs through shearing, woolhandling and pressing competitions 
and entertainment to culminate in the thrilling Golden Shears Open Shearing Final.

Shearing, woolhandling and pressing competitions are scored on a combination of time 
and quality penalties. The lowest score wins

For all other 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.co.nz or phone 021 488 137 or 027 5788 137. International  
callers phone 006421 488 137 or 006427 5788 137