The annual Te Puna Speed Shear Competition at Top Shot Bar saw some members of the audience excited enough to put their money where their mouth is.

One gentleman attending last Saturday's event offered $500 to anyone who could shear a lamb in under 15 seconds, which was matched by major sponsor John Lamason, of Ray White Te Puna.

Organising committee member Maree Morton says they've never had anything like that before.

'Naturally, it got the guys shearing really pumped.”

Apparently, it is possible to achieve the feat, with Open Division winner Jimmy Samuels of Marton, coming closest with 15.92 seconds. He received $100 from each of the gentlemen who put up money, as recognition of coming so close.

Maree says all the shearers agreed it could have been done, but the interesting thing about the sport is how so many different factors can affect the outcome.

'For example, the lambs were probably a bit big,” she says.

'It also helps if the lamb sits well, and is quite happy with a couple hundred people staring and screaming at it.”

Local shearer and event co-organiser Gary Sobye.

However, the condition of the hand-picked lambs was generally good for the evening, with the warm weather helping to get the wool off fast.

'The sheep shear better when they're warm, because their wool stands up. When they're cold the wool tightens and contracts against their skin.”

Maree says the turnout of 32 shearers was an average number, but did allow them to have two heats before the finals of each division.

As for the best local, that prize went to her husband Craig, his best time across the night being 22.94 seconds on his first shear.

Open winner Jimmy Samuels walked away with $2000 cash, while Senior division winner Mike Van Veen took home $1000.

Te Puna Speed Shear 2017 Times

Open Final

1. Jimmy Samuels 15.92

2. Jack Fagan 16.26

3. Rowland Smith 17.86

4. Digger Balme 18.86

5. Boudean Hawkins 18.96

6. Jacob Moore 20.02

7. Liam Jansen 22.50

8. Hemi Braddick 17.68 (DQ)

9. Paerata Abraham 21.10 (DQ)

Senior Final

1. Mike Van Veen 24.58

2. Terry Midson 28.04

3. Leon Jovonivia 28.50

4. Gerome Bardoul 30.04

5. Josh Crystal 23.20 (DQ)

6. Aaron Bell 23.50 (DQ)

7. Sean Gouk 25.70 (DQ)

8. Craig Morton 25.92 (DQ)