Henderson Triumphs in Golden Shears Finale

In an electrifying conclusion to the Open Shearing Final at the Golden Shears 2026, Toa Henderson emerged victorious, clinching the title with an impressive total of 56.11 points. Henderson's performance was a spectacle of speed and precision, completing the shearing of 20 sheep in 16 minutes and 13.228 seconds. His closest competitor, Gavin Mutch, was hot on his heels, finishing with a total of 56.65 points, a mere 0.54 points behind Henderson. Mutch managed to shear his quota slightly faster, clocking in at 15 minutes and 59.996 seconds, but ultimately it was Henderson's superior overall score that secured his win. Leon Samuels secured the third position with a commendable total of 57.30 points, narrowly trailing Mutch by 0.65 points. The competition was intense, with the top three shearers demonstrating exceptional skill and determination. Hemi Braddick and Rowland Smith were also in close contention, finishing with total points of 57.62 and 57.89, respectively, showcasing the high level of competition among the finalists. The scoring highlighted the critical balance between speed and finesse, as time points, board points, and pen points all played pivotal roles in determining the final standings. Henderson's balanced performance across these categories, particularly his low board points of 2.25 and pen points of 5.20, was key to his triumph. This year's Golden Shears Open Shearing Final was a testament to the skill and grit required in competitive shearing, with Toa Henderson's victory marking a memorable highlight in the 2026 shearing calendar.