FARM HEALTH FIGHT
IN A MOMENT OF SHEAR MADNESS, SALLY TAKES ON A WORLD CHAMP
Sally’s shearing showdown
There was a tangible buzz in the shearing shed at this year’s Hawke’s Bay A&P Show – a ripple of excitement, the crowd at capacity, standing room only.
“We’ve never seen it like this before,” remarked the shearing commentator, as families toting candy floss and ice creams poured in, jostling for space.
The big attraction was not a celebrity, a royal or a Shrek-style shaggy beast, but a mum of two from Havelock North, novice shearer Sally Jackson.
Sally – known in Hawke’s Bay as the glamorous Welsh import who until recently headed up the Art Deco Trust – is far more comfortable donning sequins and stilettos than a black singlet with moccasins. But in her new role as general manager of the local A&P Society, a challenge
issued over a few wines at a conference saw her signing up for the contest of her life.
“I was chatting away to the general manager of the Canterbury A&P Society and the idea of a friendly competition between us emerged,” says Sally (41).
The pair hatched a plan to shear against each other at the Hawke’s Bay A&P Show, three months away.
“We each committed to finding a coach and learning how to shear. I don’t know what we were thinking – neither of us had ever touched a sheep in our lives!”
Sally – whose experience of farming was until recently limited to “wandering the Welsh hills as a child and spotting wild rabbits, goats and geese” – admits she’s fiercely competitive. Within a few days, she’d convinced local shearing coach Colin Watson-Paul to mentor her.
“I think he thought I was a bit nuts to begin with,” Sally says, laughing, “but after we spent time together he could see how determined I was to learn.
“Apparently, it usually takes shearers about two full shearing seasons to know what they’re doing, so he had a big job ahead of him to prepare me.”
Relinquishing her Saturday mornings for dirty, sweaty toil was also a challenge, but Sally was supported by her
Kiwi husband Rob and
children Oscar and Olivia.
“Sure, training definitely encroached on family time, but it would be the same if
I’d been training for a marathon or another sporting event.
The family just got in behind me and did everything possible to ensure I could give the competition my best shot.”
But it was all too much for Canterbury, who pulled out just a few weeks in, leaving Sally without an opponent.
“I was gutted,” admits Sally. “I already had six weeks of training under my belt and was starting to feel okay about my progress. So my coach and I thought we’d approach Rowland, to see
if he would shear against me on D Day instead.”
Rowland is none other than Rowland Smith – a former world champion and over six foot of bronzed, lean muscle.
Since it wouldn’t have been entirely fair to pit him against a beginner, the deal was this: on the buzzer, Sally would begin shearing, while Rowland would need to grab his gear from the car, plug his shears in and put his moccasins on. Only then could he start shearing.
Sally introduced a charitable
element – collecting donations for Farmstrong, which supports the mental health of those working long, tough hours in New Zealand’s rural sector.
“Farming brings such a unique set of challenges – from drought or flooding to fluctuations in commodity prices,” Sally says. “There are huge pressures and these can be incredibly hard to work through in an isolated environment.”
As the contest drew closer, the nerves cranked.
“My family were great
– they kept on telling me how proud they were of what I was achieving. And it was fantastic to be able to show Oscar and Olivia that you can do anything you put your mind to – you just have to work hard to get there!”
When she appeared on the shearing stage wearing her thickest jeans, a shearing shirt and moccasins, Sally was surprised at the panic she felt.
“It was daunting! Those shears are super-sharp; you have a live animal you need to control, it’s dirty, it’s smelly. Throughout my career, I’ve given loads of public talks and presentations, which have never fazed me, but this event was so far out of my comfort zone that I was terrified.”
Against Rowland and the clock, with a commentator broadcasting her every move (and, she admits, her many mistakes) she finished her sheep and triumphantly dispatched it. For an extra $500 donation, she even sheared a second sheep while wearing pink stilettos.
The event was such a hit, raising $2500, that Sally is planning to do it again next year and is inviting 10 women, including a couple of celebs, to take up the challenge.
Meanwhile, the singlet and moccasins will go into the back of Sally’s wardrobe. “They’re certainly not my going-out attire of choice, but I loved wearing them and I definitely plan to do so again!”
‘ You can do anything you put your mind to – you just have to work hard to get there!’