Shearing Back At Royal Easter Show

Media Release

17 March 2004

SHEARING BACK AT ROYAL EASTER SHOW

Shearing is back at the Royal Easter Show for the first time in 20 years, with some of the country’s top shearers competing for top honours.

New Zealand and world champion David Fagen and other top shearers are expected to compete in the Lion Foundation Royal Easter Show Shears at this year’s Royal Easter Show.

A revamp of the Northern Shears previously based in Warkworth, the competition is considered to be one of the top three in the North Island.

All competitors are welcome, with thousands of dollars worth of cash prizes to be won. Categories including open, senior, intermediate, junior and speed shearing. About 100 competitors are expected and about 1000-1200 sheep.

The Royal Easter Show is on from 7 to 12 April at the Auckland Showgrounds, with the competition being held on Friday 9 April (junior, intermediate), Saturday 10 April (speed) and Sunday 11 April (senior, open) from 10am to 5pm.

Also being held are shearing demonstrations and a shearing school at which budding shearers will be taught how to improve their technique.

The first time in more than two decades that shearing has featured at the Royal Easter Show, Auckland A&P Society Secretary Robin Hill says the show’s organisers are thrilled that shearing is back in the line-up.

The Royal Easter Show boasts a full schedule of agricultural features. The A&P competitions will see dairy and beef cattle, sheep, alpacas, donkeys and poultry all on display and competing for honours in six days of competitions and events.

Also happening are equestrian, show jumping, dressage and carriage driving, highland dancing, dog trials and the cat show.

And for younger family members, the Tweenies and the Butt Ugly Martians, both live on stage with song and dance shows in the Logan Campbell Centre four to five times a day, will be a sure hit for younger family members. The Weber Brothers Circus is also performing a new show exclusive to the Royal Easter Show, ‘The Great Cadbury’s Easter Egg Hunt’.

Plus there are the traditional favourites which appeal to young and old alike, including Farmworld with its stables and petting pens, the carnival rides and street entertainers.

Admission is only $30 for a family five, $15 an adult, $5 a child and free for under-2 yrs, which represents good value family entertainment. Entry to all shows and attractions, excluding the carnival rides, is included in the entry price at no extra cost.

ENDS

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