"This is a prestigious competition and it's a big deal to win, with a lot at stake, so you're very conscious of that," the Alexandra farmer said.
"You certainly have to keep on the ball."
Yesterday was his first time rating the skills of competitors, as part of a team of 16 wool-handling judges. The judges were among many volunteers working behind the scenes at the fine wool championships, staged in Alexandra.
Mr Sanders works for his father on Matangi Station, near Alexandra. Although he had been involved in the wool industry all his life, judging gave him a new appreciation for the work done by wool handlers, he said.
"As farmers, we know what a difference they make to the way fleeces are presented and what can be earned for the wool, but working as a judge means you notice all the different elements that make up the wool handlers' work."
Each of those elements is assessed at the competition by a series of judges. The process begins as soon as the shearer starts and continues after the wool handlers' task is finished, as the rolled-up fleece is unrolled and inspected.
Long-time judge Ian Hopkirk, of Palmerston North, said a wide range of skills were important for a top wool handler.
"They need to have consistency, a good attitude, organisational and time-management skills. During a competition, they're judged from their efforts on the board, right through to looking at the fleece at the end of it all. They need to keep up that quality and finish in a certain time, to avoid penalties."
Training is ongoing for judges.
The championships began yesterday with about 200 shearers and wool handlers competing in heats in junior, senior and open categories. The junior and senior wool-handling finals were held last night, along with the senior shearing final.
Open shearing, wool-handling and teams titles will be decided tonight.
