About 500 people watched the event on Friday afternoon which included the standard event for shearers and two novelty performances.
In the first novelty event, Gore District Mayor Ben Bell, helped by New Zealand Golden Shears multiple winner Sir David Fagan, bested The Country radio show host Jamie McKay.
In the second, Megan Whitehead and Jack Fagan went up against their fathers Quentin and Sir David, all of Gore, and beat them.
The open final was won by Chris Dickson, of Masterton, in a time of 19.7 seconds, the senior by Jim Wilson in 24.7 seconds and the women’s by Miss Whitehead.
Shears co-ordinator Mr Whitehead said speed shear events were growing in popularity.
"It’s short and sharp and it’s quite exciting.
"It is a great spectacle."
There was a strong field at the event which included international shearers from Wales and Australia — "probably some of the best speed shearers in the world".
The novelty shear-offs were a "bit of a hoot".
Mr Bell said it was the first time he had shorn a sheep.
"I was a tad nervous."
While he did not know what time he shore it in, he "must’ve been close to a world record".
He enjoyed the experience.
"It was a great event.
"[The] sun was shining, [the] crowd was full.
"Everyone was a great sport."
