Shearing record bids announced

MEDIA RELEASE

On behalf of Shearing Sports New Zealand

December 24, 2011

Shearing record bids announced

Family ties will link two World shearing record attempts being made at Te Hape Station in the King Country woolshed next month.

The first will be on January 10, when 29-year-old Kerry-Jo Te Huia, of Te Kuiti, attempts the women’s eight-hour lambs record of 470, which was set by Wairoa shearer Ingrid Baynes almost two years ago during a famed two-stand record with mother Marg.

In her first attempt at a record, and with Ingid Baynes cheering her on, Te Huia needs to average a lamb every 61 seconds, and she has been preparing for the last 10 months, included working in Australia to maintain her touch and focus during down time in the New Zealand season.

The preparation has included a strict diet and training regime geared towards the strength and stamina required for a record bid which starts at 7am and ends at 5pm, with breaks for smoko and lunch.

The second record bid will be made on January 18 when brother Stacey Te Huia, 33, will attempt a two-stand ewes record for nine hours with Waikato shearer Sam Welch, husband of women’s nine-hour lambshearing record holder Emily.

Te Huia and Welch will be targeting a record of 1335 set 16 years ago by Southland shearers Darin Forde (688) and Wayne Ingram (647).

The attempts were confirmed by World Sheep Shearing Records Society secretary Hugh McCarroll, of Tauranga, and will both take place at the Tiroa E Te Hape B Trust farm, on State Highway 30 near Benneydale, a short distance from Moketenui, where Stacey Te Huia set an eight-hour solo record of 603 ewes three days before Christmas last year.

Both records will be managed by father and shearing contractor and instructor Dean Te Huia.

ENDS

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