Kendal sheep shearer back on the world stage

Adam, from Wads Howe Farm near Kendal, will take part in the World Sheep Shearing and Woolhandling Championships at La Dorat, France, in July.

The 36-year-old already holds the record for the highest number of times anyone has represented England in international shearing events.

Adam revealed he started clipping sheep at a very young age.

“At shearing time, my stepfather always encouraged me and aged 10, I was allowed to have a go at blade shearing,” he said. “Two years later, after proving my capabilities, I started machine shearing.”

He became aware of the opportunities available within the shearing industry by attending British Wool training courses.

“The courses were instrumental in progressing my career," he said. "Working with incredibly skilled and experienced instructors was inspirational - they showed me techniques which helped improve my skill level, speed and presentation. Importantly, they also demonstrated this could lead to a global shearing career.”

In his early 20s, Adam worked with shearing contractor Mike Martindale, who encouraged him to take up competitive shearing.

“I hadn’t seriously considered this until then, but after my first competition at the Great Yorkshire Show I was hooked. I met lots of people that had travelled to New Zealand to shear, so aged 21, I decided to go over there myself for three months.”

Adam progressed to seniors level and his first big achievement was reaching the Golden Shears senior final.

Now aged 36 and married with a two-year-old daughter, Adam focuses on both his 250-acre sheep farm and his shearing business.

He added: “Shearing as well as farming is at the core of what I do, and the income generated from shearing is integral to our business.”

Competitive shearing became a huge part of Adam’s life after securing 8 English National Circuit wins and 5 English National titles. The first time Adam represented England in the World Championships was in New Zealand in 2012, and he reached the final. In the same year, he made the top 30 in Golden Shears.

He said: “These were huge personal accomplishments. I was competing against the world’s best.

“Representing England at the 2014 World Championships in Ireland, I made the semis, coming eighth. I learned an important lesson here - training and practice play a huge part in relation to your placing. I should have put in more hard work and training beforehand.”

With this year’s competition, he is delighted to increase that record.

I am still totally committed to competitive shearing and look forward to representing England in the World Championships in France. You always want to get better. With practice you can always improve, so to ensure I am fully prepared, I started training in January.”

For inspiration, Adam looks to his hero David Fagin: “A true icon of the shearing industry, who is consistent with high skill levels and performance.”

“This industry has given me so much, and British Wool courses have certainly helped develop my competitive skills. Going forward, I hope to give something back and help our young shearers with coaching and encouragement through my role as a British Wool shearing instructor.”

The best piece of advice received by Adam was from a New Zealand shearer, who said ‘Persistence is key to success’: “This is without doubt the same advice I would offer anyone new to shearing, along with the fact that you only get out what you put in, so attend the training courses and never give up. If you lose, learn from it and try again.” concludes Adam.