31 countries flock to Scotland this summer to compete in Golden Shears sheep shearing world championships

Shearing teams from 31 nations around the world will flock to Edinburgh this summer to take part in the 2023 Golden Shears Sheep Shearing & Woolhandling World Championships.

Countries including Japan, South Africa and New Zealand will send their top shearing and woolhandling talent to compete at the event, which is held in a different location around the globe every three years.

Taking place during the Royal Highland Show (22-25 June 2023), the Golden Shears is the world’s premier sheep shearing and woolhandling competition. The 2023 competition was secured in 2019 following an intense bidding process, ultimately won by the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland, Scotland’s leading agricultural charity. As well as a huge investment financially and logistical support by the Society this year, Golden Shears is also sponsored by Lister Shearing, British and Ulster Wool, Elanco, The MacRobert Trust, Hoggs of Fife and Taylors Snacks Ltd.

With more than 200,000 visitors expected to pass through the gates of the Royal Highland Show, the Golden Shears stage will be watched by a huge in-person audience, in addition to tens of thousands of online viewers on the Show’s streaming platform, RHS TV.

This is only the second time that Scotland has hosted the Golden Shears since its launch in 1977, the first being in 2003 again hosted by the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland.

More information on the Golden Shears 2023 can be found on the Royal Highland Show website: royalhighlandshow.org

Jim Warnock, Chairman of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS), commented:

“Scotland is the perfect stage for the Golden Shears and we are delighted to be welcoming shearing teams from over 30 countries to the Royal Highland Show this June.

“The Golden Shears is an exciting addition to what is already Scotland’s best day out – if you’ve never experienced the thrill of the shearing tent before, make sure to pay it a visit this year as the world’s top talent will be on display.”

Veronica Baena Fraca is competing at the Golden Shears as part of Spain’s national team. She commented:

“I’m really looking forward to reconnecting with the people and friends I’ve met at the Golden Shears over the years. I’ll be happy just to do my best, have a good time and enjoy spending time with my teammates.

“Back in 2019 I was working as a wool handler at the Royal Highland Show and I had the chance to see my friends compete, so I got to look around the site. I loved it! Seeing so many different breeds of sheep, cows, agricultural machinery, craftworkers, food… it blew my mind and was very cool!”

Gareth Jones, Head of Member Engagement at British Wool, said:

“British Wool are very proud to be supporting the 2023 World Shearing & Woolhandling Championships. This event not only allows us to showcase the high standard of shearing and wool handling here in the UK but also on a global stage.

“The event also gives us an excellent opportunity to promote the unique characteristics and benefits of British wool and the range of quality products that are produced. We look forward to welcoming all competing nations and visitors to the event.”

Rear Admiral Christopher Hockley CBE, Chief Executive Officer at The MacRobert Trust, commented:

“The MacRobert Trust has a long and close relationship with RHASS. Until recently, epitomised by the MacRobert Pavilion which stood proud until 2020, as well as, of course, by the trophies bearing its name. The MacRobert Theatre is the centre for sheep shearing activity during show week. The Society also nominates a Director to the Board of the Trust, currently under the Chairmanship of Jon Strickland, known to many alongside his wife Queenie for the multi-award winning Cladich Fold of Highland cattle.

“The venue for the Golden Shears championship is, appropriately, to be the MacRobert Theatre. The Trust is delighted not only have played its part in upgrading the facilities for competitors and organisers of the event, but also to have helped improve the audience experience whilst they are watching and being entertained by this World Championship competition.”

Matt Colston, Ruminant Technical Consultant at Elanco, added:

“Elanco Animal Health recognises the importance of sheep sustainability and is thrilled to be a key sponsor of the 2023 Golden Shears competition, as the event shares our values of enhancing animal health, productivity and welfare.”

Martin Booth, Head of Sales & Commercial at Lister Shearing Equipment Ltd, said:

“Lister is proud to be the official equipment and clothing sponsor of Golden Shears World Shearing and Woolhandling Championships, an event which Lister has proudly sponsored for over 50 years.

“Lister’s continued support for such an iconic and spectacular event is a testament to our values of putting the industry and users at the heart of what we do. Supporting the industry has always been a key strategic goal for Lister and will continue to be for many more years to come.

“Lister would like to take this opportunity to wish the hosts, the Royal Highland Show, and all of the competitors the very best of luck!”