King Country shines

The second New Zealand Fencing Competitions regional competition for the 2024/25 season saw competitors battle the heat as well as each other, deep in the heart of the mighty King Country.

Misty morning fog sat low amongst the rugged Taumarunui hills as competitors converged from all over the island, but as the 11 pairs settled into their work, the cloud and mercury began to climb, and the lads were treated to a cracker day.

This event has become a favourite amongst regular competitors, not so much for the near 30-degree temperature it often takes place in, but for the light pumice digging, old-school A&P Show atmosphere, and the supportive environment headed by local NZFC organisers Wayne & Kathy Newdick, who are in their 19th year running this competition.

Some regular competitors were out of action (injured – not fencing related!) or unavailable (on holiday – nice!) which meant some new pairings added a strong element of the unknown to the competition and had everyone wondering how that was going to affect the placings at the end of the day. Nothing like a shakeup to keep everyone on their toes, and it made for intriguing spectating!

The event was well supported by a good number of competitors at the younger end of the age demographic, all gaining valuable competition experience. NZFC is keen to support new faces of any age into the sport and encourages competitors to look over their lines once judging is completed, either with a judge or an experienced competitor, for pointers on
where penalties can be shaved off.

Judging this year’s event were Owen and Kim Petersen, Wayne Newdick, Craig Shortall, Nick Leifting and Mike Billinghurst. Judges noted that posting to contour was a struggle for some combinations, and a small tweak to the tape gate specs caught some of the teams out. Like every sport, the learning never stops, sometimes the areas you win on are in the preparation you put into your fence and your equipment before the judge yells “ready – GO!”

Kathy kept sponsors, judges, supporters and competitors nourished with her famous homemade salads and BBQ lunch, before prizegiving where Mark (Tractor) Lambert and Tony Bouskill took top honours, as well as the Best Quality award with a final score of 15.02. Tim Stafford and Jeff Joines sat 17.02 points behind them in second place with a score of 32.27. A further 23.75 points back on a final score of 56.02 saw Tim Garrick and Cory Twigley claim 3rd place. Perfection is hard to get when competing against the clock, but the winning team’s score came pretty close.

Sponsors prizes saw new wire strainers, tension gauges and PPE find forever homes with many of the newer competitors.

Thanks must go to the amazing King Country sponsors who ensure this competition takes place: Wiremark, A&S Porritt, Farmlands, Rangi Farms Ltd, Revolution Postdrivers, Strainrite, PDC Barn, Petco Contracting, and Kawatahi Farms. Special mention to the many loyal competitors who have been competing here since its inception.

Many agree that the highlight of the NZFC fencing competitions is getting together with like-minded fencers and their supporters across the country, and as usual, King Country did not disappoint.

If you haven’t already, head over to the NZFC Facebook page for videos and photos of this event and more!

Article by
Vanessa Stafford
on behalf of NZFC