Gun shearer makes it six in a row

Can he do it again? That was the question on everybody’s lips as Australian shearing champion Damien Boyle stepped up to the blade in New Zealand, vying for his sixth consecutive win.

Taking home the top title for the 19th time in the open final at this year’s IGA Perth Royal Show, Boyle became the only Australian to win six consecutive titles at the New Zealand Merino Championships in Alexandra on October 3.

Pulling ahead of New Zealand rival Nathan Stratford by only two points, Boyle said he was absolutely stoked with the win.

“Shearing at 17 years old, I remember watching the seniors and thinking: ‘I wish I could do that’,” he said. “But I definitely felt the nerves, I don’t believe it’s ever going to be easy — beforehand you always question about bad starts or if the sheep kicks.

“It’s only in your own mind what you want to achieve.”

Boyle, who was among more than 180 competitors in New Zealand’s only fine wool event for the season, came out on top in both qualifying rounds before the final.

“The secret is making sure you shear the sheep the same way you would in the shed,” Boyle said.

“If you shear on the skin all the time, as soon as you get under a bit of pressure you are bound to shear on the skin again.”

Returning home immediately after the competition — to get straight back into the family shearing businesses in Broomehill — Boyle said he would definitely be headed back to Alexandra next year to defend his title.

“It was a dream, I never thought I would do it, ” he said.

“And a few guys have come up from the shear team, and I always try to show them what I can because I want people to shear their sheep at the best of their ability.”