Amy Silcock beat the world record for the women's solo eight-hour ewe shearing, in Pahiatua, with a strong crowd of onlookers. Photo: Supplied
A former farmer has smashed the women's solo world record for most ewes shorn in eight hours.
Since 7am Sunday, full-time shearer Amy Silcock has been in a hot woolshed in northern Wairarapa, shearing hundreds of sheep with breaks every two hours.
The 37-year-old was attempting to beat 370 ewes in eight hours, previously set by UK farmer Marie Prebble in 2022.
For the entire eight hours, Silcock was ahead of Prebble's pace, and reached 370 with half an hour left on her time, building on the previous record count to finish the time allowed with a total of 386 ewes shorn.
Shearing Sports NZ said the woolshed at Ross Na Clonagh in Pahiatua was full of supporters urging her on.
Amy Silcock gunning for a new 8-hour speed shearing record in a Wairarapa woolshed, watched by timekeeper and fellow speed shearer Jimmy Samuels. Photo: Supplied/ Shearing Sports NZ
Over 1.3 tonnes of wool was estimated to have been shorn by Silcock during the time limit. For this record the sheep must weigh an average of 64 to 65kg each with an average of at least 3kg of wool.
This was Silcock's third attempt at a world record in four years.
Silcock had previously claimed a record in the four-stand women's lambshearing record. She first attempted the eight-hour solo ewe record in January 2023, but was not successful, and said it had been a useful learning experience.
The ewes in that attempt had been more than an average of 1kg heavier, it rained, and Silcock said she could see ways to build a stronger support crew for this attempt.
Last month, New Zealanders also claimed two international women's lambshearing records.
Competitive speed shearer Amy Silcock already holds a lambshearing record and has now set an eight hour world ewe record. Photo: Supplied/ Shearing Sports NZ