Sheep Shearers Crown National Champion

Thirty-two people sheared about 2,250 pounds of wool from nearly 300 sheep in four hours at the Black Hills Stock Show National Sheep Shearing contest on Jan. 29. This was the first year the Black Hills Stock Show hosted the National Sheep Shearing Championship.

A new national champion, Mark Hoogendoorn of Lester, Iowa, was crowned after besting a field of 18 professionals in Rapid City. Alex Moser, also of Lester, was runner-up and Darren Kennedy of Kaycee, Wyo., finished third while Hillary Gditzen of Minot, N.D., finished fourth. Hoogendoorn now qualifies to compete in the World Sheep Shearing Championship in 2014.

Clint Hahn of Alzada, Mont., won the intermediate class. Lynette Frick of Bakersfield, Calif., was runner-up with Kyle Hoogendoorn of Lester, Iowa, placing third.

In the learner class, Levi McTaggart of Spearfish, S.D., won the title while Jimmy Nickel of Mandan, N.D., finished second. Beau Collins of Harlowtown, Mont., and Logan Crisp of Sturgis, S.D., rounded out the class.

For more information, go to www.blackhillsstockshow.com.

Reprinted in part from Ag Weekly