Otago Daily Times

Rhythm shearer’s secret to success

-

For shearer Leon Samuels, counting is the secret to success with sheep.

The Invercargi­ll man won the 56th annual Gore Southern Shears open final on Saturday.

‘‘I’m going over in my head counting blows, one, two, step, three,’’ Mr Samuels said.

‘‘With me it’s all rhythm.’’ He was unsure of his win until the results were announced, he said.

‘‘It was pretty close.’’ Southern Shears secretary Sharon Hillis congratula­ted Mr Samuels.

‘‘He’s a humble guy and it’s great he’s won,’’ Mrs Hillis said.

Thirtyfour shearers competed in the open shears, she said.

Competitor numbers at the event were similar to last year despite her earlier concern that

 ?? PHOTO: FIONA ELLIS ?? a lack of internatio­nal shearers could cause a dip in turnout.
‘‘It’s gone really, really well.’’
PHOTO: FIONA ELLIS a lack of internatio­nal shearers could cause a dip in turnout. ‘‘It’s gone really, really well.’’

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from New Zealand