Closing in on a uniqie record - Stratford's 17th win at Tapanui shears

Invercargill shearer Nathan Stratford equalled a possible New Zealand record when he won the West Otago A and P Open shearing title at Tapanui on Saturday.

It was his 17th win in the event dating back to 2000, equalling shearing legend Sir David Fagan’s 17 wins in the New Zealand Shears Open from 1986 to 2010.

It is thought no other title in New Zealand shearing has been won more times by one competitor.

It was Stratford’s 92nd win in 29 seasons of Open-class shearing, having won 17 finals in the lower grades, including the West Otago Intermediate title in 1992 and Senior title in 1994.

Best known for his quality, including many wins when he has not been the quickest in the show, Stratford added speed to the repertoire at the Tapanui Racing Club and Showgrounds, shearing the 14 sheep in 12min 40.5sec, to finish almost half a minute before second-man-off and runner-up Corey Palmer, of Dipton, and ultimately claim the $500 first prize by 3.0813 points.

Third place went to Napier shearer and 2025 Golden Shears Senior champion Bruce Grace, in his first Open final, and fourth was Linton Palmer, also of Dipton.

In the Senior final, Mataura shearer Dre Roberts was also first to finish an claimed his third win in a row, fourth this season, and ninth in three seasons in the grade, putting him on the brink of being upgraded next season to join brother Brett in the Open grade, while 2025 Golden Shears Junior champion Paddy Hudson, of Hokonui, had his first win in the Intermediate grade, also being first to finish.

The three grades at Tapanui attracted 42 entries (Open 11, Senior 10, Intermediate 21)

RESULTS of the West Otago A and P Show Shears at Tapanui on Saturday, November 22, 2025:

Open final (14 sheep): Nathan Stratford (Invercargill) 12m 40.5s, 42.025pts, 1; Corey Palmer (Dipton) 13m 7.84s, 45.1063pts, 2; Bruce Grace (Napier) 14m 21.75s, 54.3732pts, 3; Linton Palmer (Dipton) 16m 25.69s, 54.4273pts, 4.

Senior final (8 sheep): Dre Roberts (Mataura) 8m 55.94s, 31.922pts, 1; Emma Martin (Gore) 10m 3.46s, 35.298pts, 2; Richard Lancaster (Clitheroe, NW England) 8m 58.57s, 38.5535pts, 3; Cody Waihape (Gore) 9m 31.68s, 42.584pts, 4.

Intermediate final (5 sheep): Paddy Hudson (Hokonui) 6m 42.72s, 28.536pts, 1; Izaak Cleland (Oamaru) 7m 1.54s, 32.277pts, 2; Ariana Te Whata (Mossburn) 8m 35.91s, 33.1955pts, 3; Chloe Cormack (Scotland) 8m 52.25s, 33.6125pts, 4.

Third home show win for shearer Travers Baigent 

Wakefield shearer Travers Baigent won the Nelson A and P Show Open shearing title for a third time on Saturday.

Baigent previously won the title in 2018 and 2023 and on Saturday shore the 20 sheep in the final in 18min 5.5sec for victory by almost two points from Rangiora visitor Hugh de Lacy, who had marginally the better quality points.

Wakefield shearer Travers Baigent, who on Saturday won the home Nerlson A and P Show Open shearing title for a third time. Photo: SSNZ

The pair followed up the effort by finishing first and second respectively in the North Nelson Country Club speed shearer held on Saturday night.

The Senior final at the show provided a first win for Nick Owen, from Darfield, beating runner-up and local Timo Hicks by 3.25pts, Tim McIntyre, from Blenheim, won the Intermediate event, and Jacob Booth, of Waimate, won the Junior final, his third win of the season, after victories at the Rangiora and Ashburton shows.

The shears attracted 20 entries (Open 6, Senior 6, Intermediate 2, Junior 6). 

RESULTS from the Nelson A and P Show Shears on Saturday, November 22, 2025:

Open final (20 sheep): Travers Baigent (Wakefield) 18m 5.5s, 63.42pts, 1; Hugh de Lacy (Rangiora) 18m 46.28s, 65.36pts, 2; Nick Nalder (Takaka) 20m 5.72s, 72.54pts, 3; Duncan Higgins (Blenheim) 21m 53.3s, 76.07pts, 4.  

Senior final (8 sheep): Nick Owen (Darfield) 11m 5.57s, 40.53pts, 1; Timo Hicks (Tapawera) 10m 18.1s, 43.78pts, 2; Ben Forrester (Waikari) 9m 28.4s, 45.pts, 3; Andrew Booth (Waimate) 12m 8.03s, 47.03pts, 4.

Intermediate final (5 sheep): Tim McIntyre (Blenheim) 7m 58.47s, 39.92pts, 1; Sam Stewart (Cable Bay) 8m 0.41s, 73.42pts, 2.

Junior final (3 sheep): Jacob Booth (Waimate) 9m 19.19s, 39.29pts, 1; Ben Rowson-Jones (North Derbyshire, England) 7m 27.1s, 41.36pts, 2; Katie Hicks (Tapawera) 9m 27.66s, 54.05pts, 3; Charlotte Boyce (Seddon) 9m 30.69s, 59.2pts, 4.

Speed shear at North Nelson Country Club:

Open: Travers Baigent (Wakefield) 24.8s, 1; Hugh De Lacy (Rangiora) 28.92s, 2; Lyall Windleburn (Rangiora) 31.46s, 3. 

Senior: Ben Forrester (Waikari) 32.1s, 1; Thomas Adams (Blenheim) 32.31s, 2; Timo Hicks (Tapawera) 3.

Ladies: Katie Hicks (Tapawea) 1, Ashlee Blanchett (Brightwater) 2.

Farmers: Emma Hodgkinson (Tapawera) 1, Sam MacLean (Motueka Valley) 2.