Shearing
The highlight of the final day of competitions was undoubtedly the annual Wales v New Zealand test. Amazingly, people in the crowd still had the energy to give the event its usual frenzied atmosphere despite the previous three days’ efforts.
| A short video of what to expect during the 2010 World Shearing Championships | The test divided into two private battles as Wales’s Gareth Daniel raced David Fagan from New Zealand and the other Welsh team member, Hywel Jones, stuck to world champion Cam Ferguson. Both New Zealanders won their respective races by just seconds and also won the test, though there was only one clear point in it. Furthermore, Gareth Daniel had the lowest individual points in the test, providing him with the perfect ending to a very successful week.
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The traditional blade shearing classes – where competitors take such a pride in their work that they stand alongside their sheep on the stage for judging – saw Welshmen Emlyn Roberts win on the ewes and Gwylim Edwards on the lambs.
Brendan Graham from the Republic of Ireland won the Junior Lamb Shearing Championship while the award for the best pen points went to local competitor Robbie Herdman. Entries in the class were typically strong, with nearly 60 competitors battling to get into the top 18 for the semi-final.
Jack Robinson and John Thomas raced for speed honours in the Intermediate Lamb Shearing Championship final, with John gaining several seconds on his last lamb and finishing first. Consequently however, both sacrificed too many quality points and Ifan Jones won the championship. Steve Rowberry, last year’s Junior Champion, was runner-up and was also awarded the prize for the best pen.
The Wales YFC final was won by Carmarthen, with Gwent in second place. The teams of two (under 21 and under 26 years of age) had qualified at their respective county rallies earlier in the summer.
The concluding final of the 2010 Royal Welsh Show was for the Worshipful Company of Woolmen Junior Circuit Championship. First place went to Graham Davidson, winning him £350.
