Choppers hit the mark at A&P show
Woodchoppers faced off against shearers in a clash of the codes at the Stratford A&P Show , writes
Woodchoppers from across the country showcased their skills at this year’s Stratford A&P
Show.
Over the two-day show, competitors competed in several chopping disciplines including underhand, doublehand and many more.
On the Sunday, 12 of the best woodchoppers and shearers competed in the inaugural chopper versus shearer competition.
The competition was whittled down to the grand champion woodchopper and shearer, who then faced each other to see who was quicker at their sport.
Two-time STIHL Timbersports World Trophy winner Jack Jordan represented the choppers while Michael Fabish was on the shearers. Jack won the competition, with Michael coming in just milliseconds behind him.
While Jack has competed on a world stage, he says competing locally is always special.
“It’s always good to give locals a good show and to put wood chopping and shearing in the spotlight.”
He says the competition could have gone either way.
“It was quite close between Michael and me.”
Michael says the competition was a “good bit of fun”.
“It was quite nerve-racking with how close it was. I think it’s great to showcase these sports together and have a great event.”
Wood chopping and sawing results:
Saturday, November 25: DairyMaster 250mm standing: 1st K McDonnell, 2nd K Earl, 3rd S Campbell, 4th S Bellamy. Stratford A&P Show single saw championship: 1st S Jordan, 2nd N McDonald, 3rd K Earl, 4th D McDonald. John Rae Insurance 350mm underhand: 1st A Barrett, 2nd S Campbell, 3rd M Bolstad, 4th S Jordan. Youth underhand: 1st R Barrett, 2nd A Jordan, 3rd J Jordan, 4th, R Campbell. Taranaki Steelformers doublehand saw: 1st A Barrett and M Bolstad, 2nd D and N McDonald, 3rd J and S Jordan. Philip Morresey Livestock standing- A Grade: 1st S Bellamy, 2nd H Hewitt, 3rd A Barrett, 4th J Jordan. B Grade: 1st M Bolstad, 2nd M Robinson, 3rd James Rowley, 4th
J Gower. C Grade: 1st K McDonnell, 2nd S Campbell, 3rd P Bracegirdle, 4th N Cherry. D Grade: 1st G Irwin, 2nd S Unahi, 3rd W Tasker, 4th C Cradock. Owen Mills Real Estate A Grade underhand championship: 1st J Jordan, 2nd P Barrett, 3rd S Jordan, 4th H Hewitt. Stratford A&P Show veteran’s standing championship: 1st I Taukiri, 2nd G Irwin, 3rd D Buchanan, 4th P Bracegirdle. Glen Law LC Building springboard A Grade: 1st S Jordan, 2nd H Hewitt, 3rd J Jordan, 4th N McDonald. B Grade: 1st J Rowley, 2nd S Bellamy, 3rd A Barrett, 4th M Bolstad. C Grade: 1st W Tasker, 2nd P Barrett, 3rd K McDonnell, 4th J Thomas. Novice underhand: 1st S Story, 2nd B Lemon, 3rd J Jackson, 4th W McGhie, 5th S Taylor, 6th R Barrett. Sunday, November 26: 250mm standing: 1st M Bolstad, 2nd K McDonnell, 3rd G Irwin, 4th D McDonald. Merv Jensen single saw: 1st M Bolstad, 2nd S Unahi, 3rd A Barrett. Total Log Haulage 325mm underhand: 1st J Bellamy, 2nd J Rowley, 3rd S Unahi, 4th S Bellamy. Value Building Supplies double saw championship: 1st S and J Jordan, 2nd N and D McDonald, 3rd P Barrett and W Riddle. Ravensdown graded underhand- Grade A: 1st A Barrett, 2nd S Jordan, 3rd J Jordan, 4th S
Bellamy. Grade B: 1st N McDonald, 2nd J Gower, 3rd W Riddle, 4th J Thomas. Grade C: 1st J Bellamy, 2nd S Unahi, 3rd N Cherry, 4th K Earl. Grade D: 1st J Jackson, 2nd W Tasker, 3rd S Story, 4th C Cradock. Paul Tofts Nebulite Aluminium A Grade standing championship: 1st J Jordan, 2nd A Barrett, 3rd S Jordan, 4th N McDonald. Glen Law LC Building springboard: Grade A: 1st J Jordan, 2nd H Hewitt 3rd S Jordan, 4th N McDonald. Grade B: 1st J Rowley, 2nd M Bolstad, 3rd S
Bellamy, 4th D McDonald. Grade C: 1st W Tasker, 2nd P Barrett, 3rd K McDonnell, 4th J Thomas. Valintine Logging ‘Tom Valintine Memorial’ under 21 underhand championship: 1st M Bolstad, 2nd H Hewitt, 3rd A Barrett, 4th J Rowley. Youth underhand- morning chop: 1st R Barrett, 2nd A Jordan, 3rd J Jordan, 4th G Jordan, 5th R Campbell 5. Afternoon chop: 1st R Barrett, 2nd A Jordan,3rd R Campbell, 4th J Jordan, 5th G Jordan.