The competition organised by the Sheep Shearers' Association of Euskal Herria will be held at the Juanjo Atxa Mindegia fronton in Elizondo
- Shearers from Euskal Herria and from abroad will compete within a full day’s programme
- The programme also includes the fair and other activities, from morning until dusk
The second Basque Country Sheep Shearing Championship will be held on 19 September in Elizondo, Navarre, at the Juanjo Atxa Mindegia fronton. The championship, organised by the Sheep Shearers’ Association of Euskal Herria (EAME), will have a full day’s programme: competitions, a fair and other activities, from morning until dusk. It will be a perfect chance to enjoy the day with friends or family.
There are two disciplines in which the shearers will compete at the Basque Country and International Championship: machine and blades. In the machine discipline the fleece is removed with an electric machine. In the blades discipline the fleece is shorn with hand blades.
There will therefore be a chance to see shearers from Euskal Herria and from abroad compete. The guest countries include Germany, Wales, England, Scotland, Ireland, France and Spain. The official list of competitors will be announced before the championship.
The intention of the Sheep Shearers’ Association of Euskal Herria is to hold the championship in a different part of Euskal Herria each year. This year it will be in Navarre, and Elizondo will become the meeting point for competitive shearing. The association invites the whole of Euskal Herria to come along and enjoy a superb atmosphere and a first-class show.
“Today we are a family of shearers that keeps growing. We have received official international recognition on behalf of the whole of Euskal Herria; we have founded the association and we have held an official competition. This year, moreover, we were at the World Championship for the first time, representing Euskal Herria. And we have been named members of the World Council. Beyond that, we shearers want to be an inspiration to young people. The path we are on is remarkable. The new roads that keep opening up. We have our feet on the ground and we know there is a lot of work ahead, but we are making the road and we will keep at it. With the same philosophy as always: work, passion and enjoyment,” said the shearers of EAME.
Sheep Shearers’ Association of Euskal Herria (EAME)
The Sheep Shearers’ Association of Euskal Herria (EAME) gives visibility to Basque shearing and wool handling both in Euskal Herria and around the world, underlining their value as a trade and as a sport. Its aim is to give one of the oldest industries in the world the recognition and the place it deserves. They protect shepherding. They are a driving force for the primary sector.
Basque shearers and wool handlers work both in Euskal Herria and all over the world, offering a professional service, providing training, giving demonstrations and taking part in official competitions. What is more, at international championships they compete in the name of Euskal Herria.
EAME, small as it is, has shown that it is capable of great achievements both in Euskal Herria and in the world. The collective effort made around Basque sheep shearing has borne fruit, and these milestones are good proof of it:
21 June 2023
The Golden Shears World Council gave Euskal Herria official recognition to take part in international competitions in the name of Euskal Herria.
1 May 2024
The Sheep Shearers’ Association of Euskal Herria (EAME) is founded.
27 September 2025
The first Basque Country Championship, in Abadiño.
4-7 March 2026
The Euskal Herria team took part in the World Championship for the first time, in New Zealand, alongside 26 other nations. Euskal Herria was also officially named a new member of the World Council.