Shearing teams from across the world have been invited to compete at the 'Olympics' of their trade – the Golden Shears World Sheep Shearing & Wool Handling Championships, which will be held at 2023's Royal Highland Show.
The event is expected to attract shearers from more than 30 countries to Ingliston next June, and with the Highland's 200,000 in-person visitors, plus another 200,000 people worldwide tuned into the show’s online viewing platform, RHS TV, the Golden Shears stage is going to be on the global spotlight like never before.
With sponsorship from Lister Shearing, British Wool, Ulster Wool and Elanco, the competition will take place over the full four days of the Highland, after competitors have been treated to a taste of Scottish hospitality with a gala dinner to kick off proceedings.
Chairman of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, Jim Warnock, commented: “There is no better stage than the Royal Highland Show to celebrate the amazing skills of competitors at the Golden Shears. Scotland has a long and renowned heritage of sheep farming and wool handling, so it is fitting that the show will host this prestigious competition.
“The show offers a great experience for the whole family, with something for everyone to enjoy. The exciting addition of the Golden Shears only adds to the appeal of an already excellent day out, and offers a world stage on which competitors can display their skills.”
Chairman of the Golden Shears World Council, George Graham, added: “The 2023 Golden Shears World Shearing and Wool Handling Championships will be a spectacular event, showcasing the skills of competitors from up to forty countries. Set in Scotland at the Royal Highland Show, it will be a brilliant setting for next year’s competition.
“This is the Olympics of shearing and wool handling, with super athletes vying for the prestigious Golden Shears world teams and individual titles. Up to four and a half thousand sheep will lose their fleeces over the course of the event – a sight to behold! I would like to take this opportunity to convey my best wishes to Scotland as the host country and all the visiting countries, and I hope after a few very difficult years this will be a phenomenal success for everyone involved.”
Applications for the Golden Shears 2023 can be made on the Royal Highland Show website at royalhighlandshow.org
Applications will close in early January 2023.
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