GLENARA Merinos took out the title of champion fleece at the Hamilton and District Legacy 70th annual Fleece Show on Thursday. 

The winning superfine Merino fleece weighed 8.1 kilograms and was said to have great character, be very sound, and be a high wool cut for its type, and the aggregated score totalled 91 points.

The event, which ran from Tuesday, was a roaring success with over 200 fleeces donated from around the Western District.

 Fleece Show convener, Peter Guthrie said the team was thrilled to be able to put on a show despite the additional challenges posed by COVID-19 restrictions.

“We’ve been really pleased … under the circumstances, we’re pretty thrilled,” he said.

“People have been amazingly generous donating their fleeces.

“Glenara Merinos has won the champion fleece, which is not unusual for them; they’ve been very strong contributors over time and have got very strong wool and very good sheep.”

Glenara Merinos dominated the awards and took home the titles of most successful merino exhibitor and the most valuable fleece (other than ram) at $145.02.

L. G. McKinnon & Sons won the most successful other than merino and most successful exhibitor awards.

Hamilton and District Legacy Fleece Show has a long history as a premier fleece show and is renowned for its variety and wool quality.

Judges, Elders Hamilton’s, David Whyte and Nutrien Wool’s, Hamilton and Gray Simpson had a tough job deciphering between the high-quality entries.

The judges noted that generally, fleeces were well grown and showcased the districts variety, ranging from ultrafine Merino to Corriedale and cross-bred wools.

All fleeces will be sold at auction later this month, with funds raised going to support local widows.

The Fleece Show serves as Hamilton and District Legacy’s biggest fundraiser.