Mutch still full of ‘shear’ ambition
After 19 years of shearing sheep competitively, Gavin Mutch believes he still has more to offer.
The 38-year-old former world champion is heading down the home straight towards a possible second Golden Shears title in early March and another world title in
2019.
Since the Scottish-born, Whangamomona farmer gave up contracting two years ago it has been a juggle to keep fit to prepare for elite competitions, he said.
‘‘I’ve been freelancing for the past two summers and this season it has been a bit stop and start,’’ he said.
Between now and the Golden Shears, Mutch has a full list of shearing competitions in the North Island to bring him up to scratch.
He also has his sights on competing back in Scotland in May.
Starting on Saturday he will travel to Taihape and Rotorua, followed by Dannevirke and Marton, and Taumarunui and Pahiatua on successive weekends.
There is also the opportunity to lug his handpiece down to Central Otago for meetings in Clutha and Gore.
‘‘I enjoy the competitive side of the shearing and I’ve learnt not to go like a bull at a gate.
‘‘I think I’ve got a bit more maturity now and can control things better. I feel more comfortable when the pressure comes on in the finals.’’
The regular competitions, as well as the odd day shearing on farms, is enough to keep him physically and mentally ready, he said.
Mutch has competed in six world championships, winning in
2012 - only the second Scot to win the coveted title after Tom Wilson won in 1984 - and finishing second in 2014 and 2017.
The title meant he was better known in his adopted country than his hometown, he said.
In 2015 he won the Golden Shears, an event he rated harder to achieve than the world champs.
‘‘You can never be complacent in the Golden Shears as any shearer can beat you. You have to give 100 per cent in every heat.
‘‘It’s a good show but it’s not much fun watching it from the stands.’’
Controlling the mental pressure in the build-up towards the final was crucial, he said.
‘‘I don’t get too carried away now with analysis. It’s better to go out and be relaxed.’’
Mutch was concerned the industry was not attracting young shearers, which was having a follow on effect in competitions.
‘‘It’s a good industry to be involved in but it is hard career.
‘‘The general attitude to work has slipped and it is getting harder to find young guys motivated to be shearers and the industry is having to rely on overseas shearers instead.
‘‘The industry needed a high profile to attract the right people and this is what competitions like the Golden Shears achieve.’’
Mutch, and wife Pip, a competitive endurance horse rider, juggle family commitments with their two daughters, Ashleigh and Isla, and sons, James and David.
Recently the boys went with their father to Wairoa, while the girls followed their mother to a competition in Taupo.
‘‘We share our duties with the kids, it seems to work out well,’’ he said.
Mutch had no thoughts of returning to Scotland to live.
‘‘I’d like one more crack at the world championships (in 2019), then I can go back to farming.’’