Pagan Rimene will perform a rare double at the national merino shearing championships - competing in woolhandling and shearing.
A career in the shearing industry was probably always on the cards for the 27-year-old Alexandra woman, but she has no complaints.
The daughter of master woolhandler Tina Rimene and shearing contractor Dion Morrell, Rimene grew up in the industry and never seriously considered any other career.
After moving through the ranks as a woolhandler, notching up successes in various competitions along the way, she changed pace in December and became a full-time shearer.
Rimene works for her father and is relishing the chance to work as a shearer.
''I've wanted to shear for about eight years and it's great I'm doing it now. I love it, I really do. I love the challenge of working hard all day,'' she said.
Rimene has entered the senior shearing and the open woolhandling in the New Zealand Merino Shearing Championships, being staged in Alexandra, which began yesterday.
Asked if being a woolhandler was an advantage when it came to shearing, Rimene said it was.
''You're certainly more conscious of where the wool is flying and look at things from the woolhandlers' point of view as well as the shearer's, so I think it's an advantage. ''She loves competing, trains hard and has some high goals.
''One day I'd like to set a world record in shearing. And I also want to become a master woolhandler as well ... that's if my body holds up.''
Rimene lists her father as her mentor - ''he's pretty professional''.
