Closing In On A Uniqie Record - Stratford's 17th Win At Tapanui Shears

Invercargill shearer Nathan Stratford equalled a possible New Zealand record when he won the West Otago A and P Open shearing title at Tapanui on Saturday.

It was his 17th win in the event dating back to 2000, equalling shearing legend Sir David Fagan’s 17 wins in the New Zealand Shears Open from 1986 to 2010.

It is thought no other title in New Zealand shearing has been won more times by one competitor.

It was Stratford’s 92nd win in 29 seasons of Open-class shearing, having won 17 finals in the lower grades, including the West Otago Intermediate title in 1992 and Senior title in 1994.

Best known for his quality, including many wins when he has not been the quickest in the show, Stratford added speed to the repertoire at the Tapanui Racing Club and Showgrounds, shearing the 14 sheep in 12min 40.5sec, to finish almost half a minute before second-man-off and runner-up Corey Palmer, of Dipton, and ultimately claim the $500 first prize by 3.0813 points.

Third place went to Napier shearer and 2025 Golden Shears Senior champion Bruce Grace, in his first Open final, and fourth was Linton Palmer, also of Dipton.

In the Senior final, Mataura shearer Dre Roberts was also first to finish an claimed his third win in a row, fourth this season, and ninth in three seasons in the grade, putting him on the brink of being upgraded next season to join brother Brett in the Open grade, while 2025 Golden Shears Junior champion Paddy Hudson, of Hokonui, had his first win in the Intermediate grade, also being first to finish.

The three grades at Tapanui attracted 42 entries (Open 11, Senior 10, Intermediate 21)

RESULTS of the West Otago A and P Show Shears at Tapanui on Saturday, November 22, 2025:

Open final (14 sheep): Nathan Stratford (Invercargill) 12m 40.5s, 42.025pts, 1; Corey Palmer (Dipton) 13m 7.84s, 45.1063pts, 2; Bruce Grace (Napier) 14m 21.75s, 54.3732pts, 3; Linton Palmer (Dipton) 16m 25.69s, 54.4273pts, 4.

Senior final (8 sheep): Dre Roberts (Mataura) 8m 55.94s, 31.922pts, 1; Emma Martin (Gore) 10m 3.46s, 35.298pts, 2; Richard Lancaster (Clitheroe, NW England) 8m 58.57s, 38.5535pts, 3; Cody Waihape (Gore) 9m 31.68s, 42.584pts, 4.

Intermediate final (5 sheep): Paddy Hudson (Hokonui) 6m 42.72s, 28.536pts, 1; Izaak Cleland (Oamaru) 7m 1.54s, 32.277pts, 2; Ariana Te Whata (Mossburn) 8m 35.91s, 33.1955pts, 3; Chloe Cormack (Scotland) 8m 52.25s, 33.6125pts, 4.

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