People came from all over Euskal Herria to Abadiño to enjoy the Basque Country Sheep Shearing Championship, and the probaleku was too small to hold them
- The Basque Country champion with blades was Joseba Ugalde (Lezama) and by machine Mikel Etxebarria (Dima)
- England won the international competition
- In the Open category the winners were Joseba Ugalde (Euskal Herria) with blades and Llyr Evans (Wales) by machine
- In the Senior category the win went to Ben Scott (Ireland)
The first Basque Country Sheep Shearing Championship has come to an end. It was wonderful. Abadiño became the meeting point for shearers from all over Euskal Herria and from abroad. The first assessment by the Sheep Shearers’ Association of Euskal Herria (EAME) is a very positive one. We are “delighted” and “very satisfied” with the response and with everything the day brought:
“People came to Abadiño from all over Euskal Herria. From first thing in the morning the atmosphere was superb. The probaleku was too small to hold everyone. The response from the public and from the shearers was excellent. They put on a first-class show. We are moved. Proud of what we have seen and felt. On behalf of the Sheep Shearers’ Association of Euskal Herria, we want to thank from the bottom of our hearts everyone who made this event possible: the shepherds, the shearers, the volunteers, the public, the media, the sponsors and everyone who believed in us.”
The championship organised by the Sheep Shearers’ Association of Euskal Herria (EAME) is supported by Abadiño Town Council, the Provincial Council of Araba, the Provincial Council of Bizkaia, the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa, Laboral Kutxa, Urkiola Rural Development, Eusko Label, EKFB-Union of Basque Sports Federations, the Basque Government-Euskadi Basque Country and Udalbiltza, the association of Basque town councils. It also has the support of EHNE Bizkaia, EITB, Ea Town Council, Erromantzazu Town Council, Laudio Town Council, Veno, Schimidt Abadiño, Etorki, Mariezcurrena, Atxa Txiki, Idiazabal and Gu ere bai.
“Two years ago we were just a handful of shearers. 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. There is a lot of work to do, but we are making the road and we will keep at it. With the same philosophy as always: work, work, work and work.”
Basque Country and International Championship results
Eighty shearers from Euskal Herria and abroad competed in the first Basque Country Sheep Shearing Championship. It is the first time a shearing championship of this size has been held in Euskal Herria. The Basque Country and International championships, the machinery demonstrations, the children’s workshops, the food and drink from Eusko Label, the fair of sheep and wool products. All of it had its place at the championship. Abadiño threw itself wholeheartedly into the world of sheep.
The Basque Country champion was Joseba Ugalde (Lezama) with blades — 2nd Jon Sainte-Marie (Landibarre); 3rd Mikel Galvez (Eskoriatza) and 4th Josu Ekisoain (Ibiriku) — and Mikel Etxebarria (Dima) by machine — 2nd Joseba Ugalde (Lezama); 3rd Laurent Paris (Eskoriatza) and 4th Ipar Arrinda (Lekeitio) —.
England won the international competition — 2nd France; 3rd Wales; 4th Spain; 5th Ireland; 6th Scotland; 7th Euskal Herria and 8th Netherlands —. In the Open category the winners were Llyr Evans (Wales) by machine — 2nd Nick Greaves (England); 3rd Jeremy Leygonie (France) and 4th Philip Price (Wales) — and Joseba Ugalde (Euskal Herria) with blades — 2nd Mikel Galvez (Euskal Herria); 3rd Archie Paterson (Scotland) and 4th Jon Sainte-Marie (Euskal Herria) —. In the Senior category, the winner was Ben Scott (Ireland) — 2nd Julian Karl (Germany); 3rd Christopher Begley (Ireland) and 4th Mikel Galvez (Euskal Herria) —.
Results aside, the championship was a historic milestone. Through the Basque Country Sheep Shearing Championship, Euskal Herria was shown what competitive shearing, the sport, really is. More than that, it made clear that we are a country of shepherds and shearers. The trade and the beauty of the sport were both celebrated.
“We are ready to keep drawing this path together. We shearers want to be an inspiration to young people. Through these lines we would like to encourage people to try this wonderful world of sheep shearing. We will welcome them with open arms.”
The World Championship is knocking
From today the Sheep Shearers’ Association of Euskal Herria takes on a new challenge: the 2026 Golden Shears World Championship, to be held from 4 to 7 March in Masterton, New Zealand.
The first Euskal Herria team to take part in a world championship will be made up of two machine shearers, two blade shearers and two wool handlers. Alongside them will travel a team manager, a judge and the coach. Everyone’s support will be essential to take the Basque shearers to the world championship. Joining all our strength together.