Young Taihape shearer Reuben Alabaster aims high

Taihape's Reuben Alabaster won the junior shearing final at Pahiatua on Sunday. Photo/ supplied

As a child Reuben Alabaster tried shearing his teddy bear and he shore his first 100 lambs at 9.

He's had four wins in junior shearing finals this year. They were at Taihape and Rotorua in January, and Taumarunui and Pahiatua in February.

He is aiming to win the junior title at the Golden Shears in Masterton on Thursday. If he does he may be the youngest ever to win it.

The junior section is for shearers who have a certain range of tallies and it doesn't depend on age. Last year's junior winner was a 43-year-old farmer who hadn't done much shearing, Shearing Sports New Zealand media officer Doug Laing said.

Reuben is 14. For his win at Pahiatua on Sunday he shore against five others all in their late teens or early 20s.

His dad, Ricky Alabaster, a former shearer who has made the Golden Shears finals many times, is now a farmer. His cousin Sheree Alabaster is a world champion wool handler, and a seven times New Zealand champion.

"Some of these kids are virtually born with a handpiece in their hands," Mr Laing said.

Mr Alabaster said Reuben was one of those kids.

"He lives and breathes shearing. It's hard to keep him away but he's got to look after his back."

Reuben is more likely to spend an evening looking after his shearing combs than sending social messages on his phone. He entered his first shearing competition aged 11, as a novice.

He's now ready for his big moment at the Golden Shears, Mr Alabaster said.

"It's all in his head now. He's done the preparation. It will be about whether he can handle the pressure and stay relaxed and in control."

Next year Reuben will have to compete at intermediate level, another step up. He can then work his way through the grades until he gets to the open grades.

"No matter how good you are, it's like serving a second apprenticeship once you get into the open grades," Mr Laing said.

In the meantime Reuben is at Taihape Area School on a special programme. He doesn't like school and his dad arranged for him to spend three days a week there, and the rest on the farm.