Speed Shears!

So, our local speed shear was last night. It did not disappoint.

Right in the front of one of our local pubs, they removed a window, and backed the lorry right on up so the sheep could be loaded directly onto the stage. 

Whilst the participants were preparing, so was I. I bellied up to the bar, ordered a beer with 2 glasses (they're rather large beers), and 2 lemonades. I ended up with 2 beers and 2 lemon tonics. HA! Must be my accent. Or maybe I just looked like I needed 2 beers. 

Friends of ours lent the 70 or so sheep for this event. They are all lambs, and this was their first shearing. Because they are inexperienced, it's even more important to have a shearer that can handle them well.

Now, I've seen a little sheep shearing, but these guys are in a whole different league. Seriously. A number of them even have sponsors. I guess technically, it's a pro circuit. There are judges. And prize money. "You're here for finance, not romance. Let's get it done!"

Shearing is big business in a country where the sheep outnumber people approximately 10 to 1, and the top shearers are in high demand.

These guys get paid about $2.00 per sheep. A really good shearer can do up to 350 sheep in a day. Basically, they go from station to station, town to town all through New Zealand during shearing season. Then they move on to Australia and do the same thing. From there they go to England, Scotland, and Ireland...rinse...repeat. 

There are speed shear contests wherever the shearing is going on, which can supplement income even further. 

 If it looks like they are man-handling the sheep, they are. But with the best shearers, it's surprisingly gentle. 

The more control they can exert over the sheep, the less likely the sheep is to be injured. The sheep are subdued, and at the same time, their skin is pulled taut so the clippers can't get purchase. The better shearers make it look almost graceful. 

In less experienced hands, these things can do a bit of damage. Though I'm assured that the lanolin in the sheep's skin helps them heal at super-human speed.

This guy actually has held a World Record for speed shears. He came up a bit short time-wise last night, but the quality of the cut was definitely one of the best.

This guy was in the money. The top time last night was around 23 seconds. Twenty three. .23. That is pretty dang fast.

"Um, beg pardon. Are we finished yet?"

At the end, everyone loaded back up the chute, through the window, and onto the lorry.

The window was put back in. The sheep went back to their paddock. The Thornewills came home and went to bed. The night owls closed down the pub.

Here is a shearing in real time...