Bradley Shears to Victory at Golden Shears

In a gripping showdown at the Women's Invitation Shearing Final of the Golden Shears 2026, Laura Bradley emerged as the champion, setting a high standard with a total score of 32.67 points. Bradley's performance was notably efficient, completing her shearing in just 8 minutes and 3.35 seconds, the fastest time among the competitors. Her low time points of 24.17, combined with minimal board and pen points of 3.17 and 5.33 respectively, underscored her skill and precision in handling the sheep. Pagan Rimene followed closely behind, securing the second position with a total of 34.70 points, just 2.03 points adrift of Bradley. Rimene's time of 9 minutes and 7.21 seconds demonstrated her steady pace, and her impressive board and pen points of 2.67 and 4.67 highlighted her clean shearing technique. Emma Martin claimed the third spot on the podium, with a total score of 35.22 points. Martin completed her shearing in 8 minutes and 47.81 seconds. Her slightly higher board points of 4.50 and pen points of 4.33 reflected a competitive performance, though not enough to surpass Rimene or Bradley. The competition remained tight among the participants, with Kate Donald, Nicki Guttler, and Una Cameron rounding off the fourth to sixth positions with total scores of 37.32, 39.32, and 42.42 points, respectively. Each competitor showcased their shearing expertise, but faced challenges in either time efficiency or precision, as reflected in their higher total points. This year's Women's Invitation Shearing Final not only celebrated the remarkable talents of female shearers but also highlighted the intense competition and skill level required to excel in the sport. Laura Bradley's victory, achieved through a combination of speed and precision, sets a new benchmark for future competitors in the Golden Shears arena.