Sheree Alabaster wins at Rangitikei Shearing Sports

Taihape's Sheree Alabaster took out the North Island Open woolhandling final at the Rangitikei Shearing Sports on Saturday. Photo/ Doug Laing

Marton Memorial Hall became a wool shed on Saturday as shearers and woolhandlers from around the globe competed in the 55th Rangitikei Shearing Sports.

Taihape's Sheree Alabaster was able to claim a North Island title in her home district by winning the Open woolhandling final.

The former World champion edged out rival Keryn Herbert from Te Kuiti for the second time in two days, following her Dannevirke A and P Show win, while Jamie McLean made it two podium places to Taihape locals.

Rangitikei Shearing Sports, which doubles as the North Island Championships, attracted more than 100 entrants in shearing and woolhandling classes competing for a prize pool of $7,175.

Shearing Sport New Zealand media officer Doug Laing said numbers often depended on the state of the industry but there was a good turnout.

"It was a good competition numbers-wise which was pretty pleasing for everybody."

This year's event also drew a number of overseas shearers from as far as Germany, Wales and France.

"The show is one of the bigger competitions if you're talking regionally. It's an A grade event," Mr Laing said.

The event is in its 55th year having been held the first Saturday in February since 1963.

A stage with six stands is set up in the hall with more than 1300 sheep shorn over the course of a day.

Meanwhile, Marton's Cortez Ostler won the junior woolhandling while Whanganui's Jennifer Kumeroa and Mereana Kumeroa were second and third respectively in the novice section.

No such luck for locals in the shearing with the open final won by Maraekakaho's Rowland Smith.