Source: Radio New Zealand
Against the clock, reigning champion Tim Garrick stays calm under pressure. supplied
Tim Garrick could win his third New Zealand Speed Fencing Championship at the Rural Games in Palmerston North this weekend.
The Gisborne fencing contractor competes in the lesser-known sport of speed fencing which he likens to its higher-profile cousin, competition shearing.
With the Golden Shears recently in the spotlight, Garrick said he could only dream of the recognition the top shearers received.
But he was seeing a rising interest in speed fencing.
“I guess in a lot of ways it’s similar to shearing. It’s what the country is built on and it’s quite physical,” Garrick said.
“Especially competitions like the Rural Games where it’s very public and livstreamed. It’s quite cool because a lot of people get to see it and it gets a lot of exposure.”
The sport showcased strength, speed, and precision with competitors racing to build a fence before officials made their final deliberations.
Strong, agile athletes are seen racing around the field carrying posts, and using heavy machinery and wires to construct a fence in less than 15 minutes.
The boring machines are roaring as the competitors dig holes in the ground for heavy posts, set diagonal stays, and string the fence.
Sheep dog trials are also on the schedule and will take place in The Square, Palmerston North. Megan Ellis
Going in as the two-time defending champion, the adrenaline rush would carry him through the competition.
“It’s one of my favourite comps of the the year. You have 10 competitiors whittled down to the three that compete in the final,” said Garrick, who also won the Golden Pliers at Fieldays in 2024.
Garrick had been rushed off his feet recently in the hill country working on sheep and beef farms around the Gisborne region.
The work was flowing freely with farmers putting their rising red meat returns into fences. He was booked solidly for the next six months.
“The biggest influence lately has been the good stock prices, the phone’s been ringing non-stop,” he said.
“Farmers are feeling good about themselves and willing to spend a lot of money.”
And the demand for fencing was so great he had to be “careful” he did not take on more than he could handle.
And as a bonus, his work on the farm kept him in tip top shape for the competition stage.
The Rural Games kick off in Palmerston North this weekend with shearing, timber sports, sheep dog trials and even gumboot throwing.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
