Young farmers triumph in Silver Plough

Press, 14 May 1984, Page 2

Young farmers triumph in Silver Plough

Two of the youngest ploughmen to represent New Zealand will compete in the thirty-second World Ploughing Contest in Denmark in 1985, after their first and second placings in the 1984 Mobil Silver Plough at the week-end.

First was Roger Jordan, aged 29, a farmer, of Blenheim, and second was Bruce Redmund, aged 25, a farmer, of Rakaia.

The first and second place-getters were two of only four competitors in their 20s among the 22 ploughmen who competed last Friday and Saturday on the property of Mr John Kyle, at Seadown, near Timaru.

Each of the 22 ploughmen had won a qualifying regional event to take their places in the Silver- Plough. Roger Jordan won at Timaru in 1983 and Bruce Redmond at Hinds Young Farmers’ Club. The success of these two young ploughmen is unusual in a sport where experience on all ground conditions counts for a great deal. But Roger Jordan was not lacking in big match experience, having competed in nine previous New Zealand championships, for a best result of fifth in 1980.

This year’s Mobil Silver Plough was keenly fought with near perfect ground and weather conditions. Many competitors were very happy with their per-.

formances, perhaps unusual in a sport where competitors strive for perfection.

Certainly there were many very straight furrows and neat finishes in the ideal grassland ploughing conditions on Saturday, but a number of well-worn sheep tracks at right angles to the course made perfection hard to achieve. Jordan used a Ford tractor and a Fiskars plough which, being made in Scandinavia, will feature strongly in Denmark in 1985.

New Zealand’s representatives in the 1984 World Contest, to be held on September 21 and 22 in Lincolnshire, England will use the Ford and Fiskars combination.

These representatives are Norman Wymer, Pukekohe, and Gordon Carter, Christchurch, who were winner and runner-up respectively of the 1983 Mobil Silver Plough.

Other results from the competition on Friday and Saturday were: Fairhall trophy for highest-placed ploughman who has not previously been placed in the first five up to and including the final; Ivan Maw, Methven. W. G. Miller trophy for competitor with the highest points who is a member of a young Farmers’ Club; Roger Jordan.

Bronze medallion in the

stubble; Peter Carter, Christchurch. Silver medallion in stubble; Roger Jordan. Gold medallion in stubble; Graham Gifford, Blenheim. Bronze medallion in the grass; lan Miller, Gore. Silver medallion in the

grass; Bruce Redmund. Gold medallion in the grass: Roger Jordan. Mobile Silver Plough: Roger Jordan, 316 points, 1; Bruce Redmund, 284 pts, 2; Graham Gifford, 279 pts, 3; lan Millar, 274 pts, 4; Peter Carter, 270 pts, 5.