Shearing record attempt

Shearing records have been around a long time, going back as far as 1892 when Queensland legend Jackie Howe set an amazing record of 321 sheep shorn in seven hours and 40 minutes using only blade shears.

It was Henry Salter (1907-1997) who won the first organised shearing contest at Pyramid Hill, Victoria, in 1934.

In recent times, New Zealand-born Dwayne Black, who lives in WA, held six world records in shearing endurance events.

In the Guinness Book of World Records, New South Wales shearer Hilton Barrett stands as the fastest when he stripped a sheep in 39.31 seconds at Wellington on May 1, 2010.

This record will be challenged at the Koorda Shears in WA on Friday, September 16.

The next day's competition at the town showground will include the quarter final to decide members of the Australian shearing team which will compete at the World Shearing Competition at the 2011 IGA Perth Royal Show.

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