The discovery of a sheep that has evaded shearing for six years on Will (Year 13) and George (Year 10) Faulkner’s family farm, Wairakaia Station at Muriwai, has led to the animal being christened Gizzy Shrek  and ceremoniously sheared at the Poverty Bay A&P Show last weekend. Rob Faulkner, Will and George’s Dad, said that the sheep, a Coopworth/Romney cross, had been hiding in a forestry block out the back of their station and had obviously been there since it was a lamb as it had never been docked. He decided to offer it to the Poverty Bay Show as an attraction and they were able to get hold of the shearer who sheared the original Shrek to come and do the honours at the Poverty Bay Show.

A local expert was on hand as an observer to check that everything was above board and to record all the statistics. The shearing was done by hand as a nod to tradition and a sample was taken to measure the length of the fleece. The original Shrek’s fleece was measured at 55cm and the Faulkner’s Shrek came in with a winning 58cms.

Gizzy Shrek didn’t seem too unhappy at being shorn and Will Faulkner commented, “She was certainly a lot more energetic afterwards!” After all the excitement Gizzy Shrek will live out her days quietly on Wairakaia Station.

Article added: Wednesday 21 October 2020