INTRODUCING SACHA BOND - SUPERMUM SHEEP SHEARER

Sacha, a 30-year-old mother, originally from Palmerston North, moved to Dubbo, NSW, Australia as a teenager to pursue a shearing career. Starting as a wool handler, she transitioned to shearing at 20 and worked in Australia for four years. She also sheared in the UK before returning to NZ in 2019, settling in Piopio.

In 2020, her attempt at the 8-hour strong wool lamb record was delayed due to the birth of her daughter Ember. Despite a two-year setback due to the Covid-19 pandemic, in February 2023, she shattered the previous record by 91 lambs, achieving a new total of 601, surrounded by accomplished shearers like partner Coel L'Hullier and Kelvin Walker, both former record holders.

Then in December she came back for more and broke the Women’s Solo 9-Hour Strong Wool Lamb World Record – shearing 720 lambs (the previous record was held by Megan Whitehead at 661)!

What’s next?

She’s now got her sights on breaking the world record for shearing ewes, a challenge which Beef + Lamb New Zealand are supporting. This will also be a nine-hour challenge, but will be tougher as the ewes are bigger and stronger.

It’s Sacha’s goal to exceed the current ewes record of 452 and to become the first female to hold the solo record for nine hours on both lambs and ewes, in over 40 years.

To prepare, Sacha has been working with Christchurch based Accredited Sports Dietitian, Conrad Goodhew, who has developed a nutrition plan to enhance her training and elevate her performance. Following the successful December world record, Conrad has fine-tuned her diet further for increased support during the rigorous training and endurance challenges. During the attempt, Sacha will also be wearing a fitness tracker so we will be able to gauge exactly what she has to go through physically during these marathon efforts.

The next world record attempt will take place at Pāmu farm Centre Hill near Mossburn, Southland, New Zealand on Friday 9 February.

Sacha’s motivation

A lot of people ask Sacha why she puts herself through these gruelling days at work and record-breaking efforts. Her answer is simple! She wants to prove the point that ladies can foot it in a traditionally coined “man’s game”.

The biggest motivation behind Sacha is her daughter Ember and partner Cole. Sacha gave birth to Ember in 2021 and was back training and shearing within no time at all. Her partner Cole is a former world record holder himself.

Sacha would be the third female shearer in history to hold both the 9-hour solo lamb and the 9-hour solo ewe shearing records at the same time. Both are classed as the pinnacle of all shearing records and Sacha thinks it would be a great achievement!

Shearing is one of the most physical and demanding jobs and sports in the world. To attempt a feat of this magnitude requires dedication, extremely hard work, and sacrifice. Sacha loves the challenge of pushing her body to the brink day in and day out. To be the best, you must beat the best!