Kavinda Herath/stuff
Nathan Stratford checks out the new Hyundai Santa Fe that he will use, free of charge, for 12 months, as part of his prize for winning the PGG Wrightson Vetmed National Shearing Circuit Championship.
- Physical Training Helps Southland Shearer Win National Title
- Picked up a new car to use free of charge for 12 months
Southland’s top shearer, Nathan Stratford, is convinced that gym training has made him more competitive.
This year he capped his 25th season on the Shearing Sports New Zealand open class circuit by winning the PGG Wrightson Vetmed National Shearing Circuit championship.
A presentation ceremony was held Thursday to present him with the main part of the award, a free one-year lease on a Hyundai Santa Fe, at the GWD Motor Group building in Invercargill.
Like any sport, what you put in is what you get. Stratford told of his preparation for shearing contests across the country.
READ MORE:
* Shearing legend Barker also made his mark on golf and rugby.
* Obituary: Rob McLagan Led Farmers Through the Turbulent Changes of the 1980s
* The elusive woolly merino finally caught after four years on the run
* How a photo of a neighbor’s bull turned into a race
* Southland shearers expected to dominate in national finals
* Fagan disappointed with more shearing competition cancellations
After a day of work in the shearing sheds Stratford I would go out at night to do weight training and work out on a rowing machine and elliptical at World Health & Fitness in Invercargill. That happened five nights a week.
It helped develop the high level of fitness required for competition, he said.
An understanding wife and family made it possible for Stratford to spend some of his free time in the gym and traveling to competitions.
“At night you get home from work and then you go to the gym… you may only see them [wife and kids] for 10 minutes before going to the gym,” Stratford said.
He wants to continue shearing competitively, outside of the working hours of his employer, Rabbidge Shearing, and remains available to help others in the industry with advice.
The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in the cancellation of 45 of the 59 shearing events in New Zealand last season, with 14 taking place under restrictions.
It was disappointing that the competitions were canceled, but Stratford remained positive, he said.
“You had to keep your mind on the game. You still had to stay in the sheds doing the things you’re supposed to…go ahead and think positive.”
Shearing Sports NZ Chairman Sir David Fagan said Stratford fully deserved to win the PGG Wrightson Vetmed National Shearing Circuit Championship.
It was a coveted mixed-breed title and the tour’s 50th year, Fagan said.
“Nathan has shown for a couple of decades that he’s capable of shearing all the races and putting them together like he does.”
“The last five years with age and a little more experience, it’s gotten better.”
In addition to his consistency and “stubborn determination,” Stratford had always been a quality shearer,” Fagan said.
“For as long as I can remember, it’s the quality that helped him.”
