Two of New Zealand's top blade-shearers will receive special
recognition when they join other competitors at the Waimate
Shears this weekend.
Up to 120 entries are expected for the event, which started
last night and concludes with finals tonight.
Entries are on a par with last year and include both top
blade and machine shearers, some fresh from success at last
weekend's New Zealand merino shearing championships at
Alexandra.
But it will be a special occasion for Billy Michelle (Timaru)
and Peter Race (Twizel), who will be presented with master
blades shearer awards tonight.
The prestigious awards have to meet strict criteria, with the
contribution to shearing of the recipients recognised and
accepted by their peers.
Wool handling heats start at 7.30am today at Russell Hart's
shearing shed.
Shearing heats start at the stadium at 7.30am with the
blades.
Junior and teams shearing finals will be held later in the
afternoon, with all other finals from 7pm.
One shearer who will be familiar with his surroundings is
Nathan Stratford, who will be seeking his seventh Waimate
Shears' open machine title.
He first won the event in 2001 and has also won it for the
past five years.
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