Henare on target for sixth Otago wool title

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On behalf of Shearing Sports New Zealand

February 8, 2013

Henare on target for sixth Otago wool title

World champion woolhandler Joel Henare is on target for an amazing sixth consecutive New Zealand Woolhandler of the Year title at the Otago shearing and woolhandling championships in Balclutha.

Aged just 21, Henare, who grew up in Gisborne and Cromwell, has already won the prestigious title more times than any other woolhandler.

He successfully made it through the opening-day heats and semi-final today, as top qualifier for the final tomorrow(Saturday). He is also top qualifier for the final of the South Island Open Circuit.

Henare won the World title in Masterton last year when he beat New Zealand teammate and mentor Joanne Kumeroa.

The winner of four Open finals in both the North and South islands earlier this summer, he has tough opposition to beat to retain the Woolhandler of the Year title, the other finalists including New Zealand Corriedale champion Taiwha Nelson, of Alexandra, and national fullwool champion Tia Potae, of Milton.

Three woolhandling titles were decided on the opening day, with Daine Rehe, of Te Teko, having his biggest success in the South Island Junior Circuit final, while the Senior circuit final was won by top 2011-2011 junior Anne Marie Kahukura of Omakau.

Rehe was also second in the New Zealand Woolhandler of the Year junior final, won by Emma Kate Rabbidge, of Wyndham.

The last day will also feature four shearing championships, and the second Elders Primary Wool Shearing Series test match in which New Zealanders John Kirkpatrick, of Napier, and Nathan Stratford, of Invercargill, face touring Welshmen Richard Jones and Garerth Lloyd Evans.

Results:

South Island Woolhandling Circuit:

Senior final: Anne Marie Kahukura (Omakau) 112.44pts, 1; Cherie Peterson (Milton) 127.89pts, 2; Stevie Mason-Smallman (Taihape) 129.99pts, 3; Juliette Lyon (Alexandra) 175.74pts, 4.

Junior final: Daine Rehe (Te Teko) 98.74pts, 1; Sarah Higginson (Marlborough) 130.87pts, 2; Val Weatherburn (Gore) 150.99pts, 3.

NZ Woolhandler of the Year:

Junior final: Emma Kate Rabbidge (Wyndham) 117.75pts, 1; Daine Rehe (Te Teko) 131.626pts, 2; Rhiann Jones (Wales) 135.1pts, 3; Waimarama Manukau (Gore) 204.876pts, 4.

ENDS

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