She's shear class!
The rise and rise of top-class female shearers is a growing phenomenon in NZ – especially during recent times.
The top two performing competitors will go on to represent New Zealand at the final in France, September 28 - October 4.
"The World Young Shepherds Challenge is a fantastic event, showcasing a vital industry and a range of young people from around the globe who have a major contribution to make to the international sheep industry," says Beef+Lamb New Zealand chief executive, Dr Scott Champion.
Young Farmers members from across New Zealand applied for a chance to compete in Lincoln and the top eight young men and women were chosen based on their skills, qualifications and involvement in the sheep industry.
Brooke Elliot, 23, works on Kyeburn Station in the Maniototo and is the chairperson of the Maniototo Young Farmers Club. Brooke also runs a contract sheep dipping business and spends much of her spare time involved in dog trialling, sports and has successfully competed in a number of equestrian events.
Caleb Eady, 20, of Featherston started his career in the dairy industry and now works as a shepherd on a 1300Ha finishing farm in South Wairarapa. Caleb, an avid rugby player, is involved with the South Wairarapa Club and also volunteers as the Events Coordinator for Young Farmers East Coast Region.
Harriet Gardner, 20, works on her family's sheep and beef farm in Waimate. She is a competitive horse rider, involved with stock judging and belongs to the Glenavy Club. Harriet has been the recipient of a number of scholarships and industry awards.
Twenty-three year old Alex Reekers works as a stockman in Waimate and won this year's Aorangi Young Farmers Regional Fencing Competition. He is the current vice-chair of the Glenavy Club and belongs to the Waimate Sheep Dog Trial Club.
Katey Craig, 21, of the Marton Club is a junior shepherd at Otiwhiti Station in Hunterville. Katey is studying towards a Diploma in Agriculture, enjoys dog trialling and was the recent recipient of JD Bashford and Royce Nicholls Agricultural Scholarships.
Mitch Hoare, 19, of the Te Kuiti Club, is a Senior Cadet at Waipaoa Station. Mitch enjoys dog trials and was awarded Top Junior Student and the Top Ability Awards in 2013.
Christine Wellington, 20, of Taupo belongs to the Reporoa Club and works as a senior shepherd at Landcorp Aratiatia in Waikato. In her spare time she plays basketball, netball and is involved in dog trialling.
And lastly, is Mitch Nation of Dannevirke. The 23-year-old works as block manager at Pohuetai Farms and also competes in speed shearing.
The competition, running alongside the 46th ANZ Young Farmer Contest Grand Final events, will consist of shearing, condition scoring, a quad bike obstacle course, identifying sheep breads, foot trimming, drenching, counting sheep and demonstrating knowledge of the sheep industry.
The World Young Shepherd Challenge preliminary round of competition is organised by New Zealand Young Farmers with generous funding from Beef+Lamb NZ.
