The championship will be a historic milestone and will open a new chapter in our rural traditions
- The Abadiño probaleku will become the meeting point for shearers from Euskal Herria and from abroad
- Eighty shearers from Euskal Herria and abroad will compete
- The championship will bring together shearers of a high standard: from Euskal Herria, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, England, Spain, France, Colombia, Germany, Catalonia, Norway and Uruguay
- Among the international shearers is Nick Greaves (England), holder of the world record
The first Basque Country Sheep Shearing Championship is almost here. It will be held on Saturday at the Abadiño probaleku. Eighty shearers from Euskal Herria and from abroad will compete in the Basque Country and International Sheep Shearing championships organised by the Sheep Shearers’ Association of Euskal Herria (EAME). Abadiño will become the meeting point for shearers from Euskal Herria and abroad. At the press call held in the morning, the shearers taking part gave a preview of what Saturday will bring.
We are full of excitement and eager to go. For the first time a shearing championship of this size will be held in Euskal Herria. We have prepared it with great care. A full day’s programme has been put together to enjoy with friends or family: the Basque Country and International championships, machinery demonstrations, children’s workshops, food and drink from Eusko Label, and a fair of sheep and wool products. We want to invite the whole of Euskal Herria to come and enjoy this show and this fine day out. It is going to be wonderful.
Euskal Herria has always had deep roots in shepherding. Through the championship we want to pay tribute to that heritage, giving value to an important trade that is often invisible: that of the sheep shearer. And, at the same time, to strengthen competitive shearing.
Shearers from Euskal Herria and from abroad will compete. Shearers of a high standard. Shearers from Euskal Herria, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, England, Spain, France, Colombia, Germany, Catalonia, Norway and Uruguay.
It will be a show of great technique, speed and skill: 80 shearers in all will compete and will shear 1,000 sheep brought from all over Euskal Herria, by machine and with blades. Among them is Nick Greaves (England), ranked among the best shearers in the world.
A historic milestone
The championship will be a historic milestone and will open a new chapter in our rural traditions. It will be an excellent showcase of shearing skill, but also a sign that new generations can build a future in shepherding and farming.
By the end of the day we will know who will represent Euskal Herria at the 2026 Golden Shears World Championship in New Zealand. Our warmest thanks to the sponsors and supporters and, above all, to all our shepherds — those of the past, the present and the future. They are the ones who make our dream come true.
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.
A full day’s programme
The Sheep Shearers’ Association of Euskal Herria (EAME) has put together a full day’s programme. From 08:00 in the morning to 20:00 in the evening it will be a perfect chance to enjoy the day with friends or family for everyone who comes to Abadiño. The programme has something for every taste and every age: the Basque Country and International championships, machinery demonstrations, children’s workshops, the chance to taste Eusko Label products and the fair of sheep and wool products.
The competitions start in the morning. In the first part of the morning, until midday, from 8:30 to 13:30, the heats of the Basque Country Championship and the International Championship will be held, both machine and blades. In the afternoon, from 15:00, come the semi-finals and the finals. At the end of the afternoon we will know the Basque Country champion and the winning team of the International Championship. All day long there will be a craft fair of sheep and wool products outside the probaleku. Behind the probaleku, the Dutch company Veno will demonstrate the modern “Te Pare Racewell” handling system.