North Canterbury shearer Hugh de Lacy claimed the Open final at the Northern A and P Show shearing championships in Rangiora on Saturday, finishing just ahead of Invercargill competitor Nathan Stratford and Oamaru’s Justin Meikle.
Final placings and performance
De Lacy completed the 15-sheep Open final in 12m 56.34s, recording 43.82 points to take first place. Stratford was second with 13m 24.16s and 44.87 points, while Justin Meikle finished third in 12m 40.65s on 44.9 points.
- Open final (15 sheep): Hugh de Lacy — 12m 56.34s, 43.82pts, 1
- Nathan Stratford — 13m 24.16s, 44.87pts, 2
- Justin Meikle — 12m 40.65s, 44.9pts, 3
Senior, intermediate and junior results
In the Senior final, Tye Meikle, aged 18, took the winner’s ribbon, marking his third Senior title in eight days and adding to a career tally of 33 wins as he progressed through the grades (12 as a Junior and 18 in Intermediate). The Intermediate final was won by Waimate shearer Jacob Booth, while the Junior event went to Christchurch competitor Matt Weaver.
The shears attracted 26 entries across categories: Open 7, Senior 6, Intermediate 3, Junior 2 and Blades 6. In the Blades final, Mike McConnell of Albury won a contest that included a four-times former New Zealand representative line-up.
Where the circuit moves next
Organisers and competitors will next contest events across the South Island, with the Ashburton A and P Show scheduled for next Saturday, followed by the Marlborough A and P Show and the Get to the Point Shears at Pleasant Point on 7 November. The New Zealand Corriedale Shearing and Woolhandling Championships are set for the Canterbury Show on 12–13 November.
| event | date | location |
|---|---|---|
| Ashburton A and P Show | next Saturday | Ashburton |
| Get to the Point Shears | 7 November | Pleasant Point |
| New Zealand Corriedale Shearing and Woolhandling Championships | 12–13 November | Canterbury Show |
Results were reported for the Northern A and P Show shearing championships at Rangiora on Saturday, 24 October 2026. The programme and outcomes will be of interest to shearers, woolhandlers and those monitoring the southern-hemisphere shearing season.
