North Canterbury farmer Peter Heddell stepped up at the last moment to demonstrate the art of blade shearing at the Golden Fleece Exhibition in Wanaka on Friday and Saturday.
Mr Heddell's services were required when the blade shearer organised for the event became ill.
Show organiser Martin Paterson said the event, which included displays of sheep, goat and alpaca fleeces, fashion shows and shearing demonstrations, was a success.
Wanaka has hosted the last two Golden Fleece competitions and Mr Paterson said it was hoped another town would step up and organise the next event.
The event has been running for at least 60 years.