Sutherland crofter Rosie Keenan aims to retain world wool handling crown
She's part of a six-strong team of Scots battling for honours in New Zealand this week.
Sutherland crofter Rosie Keenan is part of a six-strong Scottish team preparing to do battle at the “World Cup” of sheep shearing in New Zealand.
Rosie and her partner, Henry, run a flock of Cheviot ewes and Belted Galloway cows at Strathnaver.
She is the reigning wool handling world champion and keen to retain her title.
Raised in Perthshire, Rosie grew up around sheep.
Her dad is from New Zealand and worked as a sheep shearer.
“The wool industry was always part of my world,” she told the British Wool website.
Two years ago Rosie became a British Wool ambassador.
Will Dickson leads Scottish team at this week’s big event in New Zealand
The Golden Shears International Shearing and Woolhandling Championship takes place at Masterton, Greater Wellington, from Wednesday to Saturday.
Last held in 2023 at the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh, the competition is the pinnacle event for sheep shearing and wool handling and this year features 28 nations.
Scotland’s squad of expert shearers has been in New Zealand for several weeks, preparing for the big event.
The team is managed by Will Dickson from the Borders.
Who else is in the Scottish team?
As well as Rosie, members include talented Perthshire duo Hamish Mitchell and Katie O’Sullivan.
Machine shearer Hamish is competing in his 10th world championships.
Wool handler Katie from Crieff is representing her country for the first time.
Also taking part are William Craig and his son, Murray, of Broughton near Biggar.
William has competed in three previous world championships, while blade shearing expert Murray is taking part in the event for the first time.
The sixth member of Scotland’s team for the 2026 event is Gavin Mutch.
Gavin hails from Huntly but now lives in New Zealand.
He won the world championship machine shearing title in 2012.
Wishing them all well, British Wool chairman Jim Robertson said: “Best of luck to the Scotland team at the world championships.
“Dedication, talent, and teamwork are key to any successful team, and we wish all members the very best of luck representing their country.”
The event will be shown live at stream.goldenshears.co.nz
[Source: Press and Journal]
