Several of the biggest names in New Zealand shearing were in Waikouaiti on Thursday night for a particularly special speed-shearing event.
It was the 10th anniversary of the annual competition, held at the Golden Fleece Hotel, and included a ''best of the past'' section, with past open winners invited back to compete.
Cam Ferguson, of Waipawa, emerged the victor in that section, while shearing legends David Fagan, Scott Clearwater (who was the winner of the first event), Joe Tumohe and Eru Weeds also competed.
The event is organised by Clearwater, his wife Joy Clearwater, Allan Hall, Andrew Noone and Margaret Vickers.
The original event was organised to raise money to save local medical services, but now local non-profit organisations will benefit from the funds.
The event has raised about $75,000 over the past decade, including about $12,000 raised at Thursday night's event.
Groups to benefit from this year's event include the Eastern Junior Rugby Club, Eastern Gymnastics Club, Life Education Trust Otago, East Otago Swimming Club and Palmerston Primary School.
There were 54 competitors and the hotel was ''packed'' for the competition, Mrs Clearwater said.
Organisers were thrilled when Fagan commented it was the best fundraising speed shear in the country and were very grateful to the 98 sponsors, she said.
Results
Farmers: Greg Vickers (1min 05.66sec)1, Andrew Noone (1min 11.74sec) 2, Murray Dempster (1min 11.84sec) 3, Chris Pont (1min 22.38sec) 4, James Lindsay (1min 40.16sec) 5, James Crutchley (1min 49.58sec) 6.
Ex-shearers: Davie Warren (47.12sec) 1, Paul Cottle (49.86sec) 2, Wayne Hagan (52.38sec) 3, Kirk Ashton (53.02sec) 4, Phil O'Reilly (54.40sec) 5, Bob Tamepo (1min 02.14sec) 6.
Seniors: Ethan Pankhurst (38.34sec) 1, Rob Hewitt (39.84sec) 2, Steven Clearwater (50.02sec) 3, Corey Smith (1min 04.18sec) 4.
Open: David Fagan (26.50sec) 1, Joe Tumohe (30.34sec) 2, Phil Cleland (34.80sec) 4.
Best of the past: Cam Ferguson (34.92sec) 1.