ON THE GO: Waverley competition organiser Stephen Hooper and Maurice Kissick.

A couple of new faces showed off their fencing skills at last month’s Waverley A&P Show.

The popular event attracted a good turnout of skilled wood-and-wire men, and formed part of a season of fencing competitions which kicked off at the Hawke’s Bay show in October.

The Waverley event is a favourite among competitors for the good digging and impressive organising skills of local man Stephen Hooper.

There were two new pairings at Waverley, with Hunterville’s Brody Channings – who made his debut at Hawke’s Bay alongside his father Ken, a very experienced competitor – teaming up with Matt Jones of Levin and posting a sixth placing.

Matt has usually paired up with Marton’s Tim Stafford and together they have won a number of regional competitions.

In the spirit of encouraging young up-and-comers, Matt joined Brody, while Tim – the current WIREMARK® Golden Pliers™ champion – paired with Hunterville youngster Nathan Bradley, who works on his parents’ sheep and beef farm, and fences on a casual basis for Tim, and they notched up a creditable fourth place.

The event was won by Hawke’s Bay father-and-son team Shane and Tony Bouskill, who also won last year’s Taumarunui competition. Shane is the current world fencing champion.

National doubles champions Jeff Joines (Raumati South) and Mark Lambert (Bulls) finished second, with Whanganui’s John Steedman and long-time fencing partner Wayne Newdick (Taumarunui) third.

Run by New Zealand Fencing Competitions, the events challenge teams to build a 30-metre five-wire electric fence, with a stayed strainer and steel gate at one end, and a blocked strainer and Taragate at the other end.

The job takes about two-and-a-half hours and many use their own specialised tools.

Support for the fencing competitions comes from WIREMARK®, FCANZ, PGG Wrightson, Taragate, Strainrite, Mitchpine, Rivercity Livestock, Wanganui Steelformers, ANZ bank, Steel & Tube, Fairbrothers, Peter How Building, Waverley Sawmill, Andy Collins, WBT Transport, and Alexander Contracting.

The next regional competition is at Taumarunui A&P Show on February 13, followed by Central Districts Field Days at Manfeild.

Written by: Vanessa Stafford