2026 Rural Sports Award Finalists - Ford NZ Rural Sports Awards

RX Plastics New Zealand Rural Sportswoman of the Year Award

Michell Wallis

Harness Racing

Age: 58
Hometown: Auckland

Auckland trainer Michelle Wallis, 58, stands at the forefront of New Zealand harness racing, commanding respect as the country’s pre-eminent trainer of trotters. A finalist for the RX Plastics New Zealand Rural Sportswoman of the Year, her 2025 season represented a definitive career peak, marked by landmark victories and record-breaking success.

Training in partnership with her husband, Bernie Hackett, Michelle enjoyed a personal best year in 2025. The duo surpassed a major milestone, eclipsing $1 million in earnings for the first time, and celebrated a crowning achievement on New Year’s Eve by winning the coveted Group 1 National Trot at Alexandra Park with Hillbilly Blues. This victory was the pinnacle of a 57-win season that solidified their status as the nation’s top trotting trainers.

Michelle’s career is a long-standing testament to expertise, patience, and a specialised skill for developing gait-perfect trotters. She has been a leading figure in the training ranks for many years, consistently producing Group-level contenders. Her sustained excellence sees her stable compete successfully against all comers every week at Auckland and Cambridge, the heartlands of the sport.

While she has achieved most of the sport’s major honours, one key ambition remains: to win the prestigious Rowe Cup, one of New Zealand’s premier trotting races.

Approachable and generous with her time, Michelle is a respected ambassador for the industry. Beyond the track, she enjoys travelling and takes great pride in supporting her daughters in their own sporting pursuits.

By breaking her own records and securing elite Group 1 glory in 2025, Michelle Wallis exemplifies how dedication, deep knowledge, and partnership can drive sustained success at the very highest level of rural sport.

Steph Dryfhout

Tree Climbing

Age: 30
Hometown: Feilding

Bay of Plenty’s Steph Dryfhout, 30, has transcended the sport of competitive tree climbing, establishing herself as a global phenomenon and a reigning champion. A finalist for the RX Plastics New Zealand Rural Sportswoman of the Year, she is the defending Supreme and Sportswoman of the Year winner, and her 2025 campaign was a perfect demonstration of continued world domination.

Steph authored an unprecedented golden run across the international circuit. She began by winning the Asia-Pacific Championship in Australia, then travelled to Poland to place as the top non-European competitor at the European Championships. Her season culminated on home soil with a historic, crowning achievement: becoming the Women’s World Champion at the International Tree Climbing Championships in Christchurch – the first time the 50-year-old event has ever been held in New Zealand.

Domestically, her dominance was absolute. She successfully defended her New Zealand National Champion title, achieving the highest overall score against the entire field of both male and female competitors.

To reach these pinnacles, Steph had to qualify and triumph over the best national champions from across the globe, a testament to her unparalleled technical skill, strength, and composure under pressure. New Zealand is a world leader in arboricultural techniques, and Steph is its foremost ambassador.

Beyond her competitive brilliance, Steph is deeply committed to the industry’s future. She actively mentors emerging talent through formal programmes and is a key advocate for the growing Women in Trees movement, inspiring the next generation with her passion and expertise.

From Feilding to the peak of the world, Steph Dryfhout’s 2025 season cements her legacy. She is not just winning championships; she is elevating her sport, breaking barriers, and setting a new standard of excellence for rural athletes everywhere.

Laura Bradley

Shearing

Age: 28
Hometown: Woodville

Woodville shearer Laura Bradley, 28, is a trailblazer redefining the landscape of shearing sports. A finalist for the RX Plastics New Zealand Rural Sportswoman of the Year, her 2024-2025 season was a historic campaign of firsts, shattering gender barriers and establishing her as one of New Zealand’s most formidable competitors, regardless of grade.

Laura achieved what no woman had before, becoming the first female to be ranked No. 1 nationwide in the Senior shearing grade. This milestone meant she had now been the top-ranked shearer in New Zealand across three consecutive grades: Junior, Intermediate, and Senior.

Her dominance was showcased at the New Zealand Shearing Championships in Te Kuiti, where she secured a remarkable treble: winning the Senior Shearing final, the Women’s Shearing final, and the Junior Woolhandling title. She won 12 of 22 Senior finals, claimed South Island longwool and Corriedale titles, and earned a No. 2 national ranking in junior woolhandling.

Most significantly, her performances earned her an automatic upgrade to the Open class – the first woman to achieve this solely through competition results. She immediately proved her place, becoming the first woman to reach an Open final at an A&P Show, finishing fourth at Wairarapa.

A farmer and a mother, Laura balances elite sport with family life and the demands of the land. Her goals are now set on the pinnacle of the sport: qualifying for the Golden Shears Open quarterfinals and, longer-term, pursuing a world shearing record.

By consistently outperforming the best male and female competitors in her grade and breaking into the sport’s elite Open class, Laura Bradley isn’t just winning competitions; she is forging a new path and inspiring a generation in rural New Zealand.

PTS Logistics New Zealand Rural Sportsman of the Year Finalists

Jack Jordan

Wood Chopping

Age: 29
Hometown: Taumarunui

Taumarunui’s Jack Jordan, 29, is not just a competitor in wood chopping; he is a defining champion of the sport on the global stage. A previous winner of both the PTS Logistics New Zealand Rural Sportsman of the Year and the Supreme Award, his 2025 campaign further cemented his legendary status by claiming the ultimate prize: the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® Individual World Championship in Milan.

Jack is the first axeman in history to hold both the Individual World Trophy (which he won for the third consecutive year) and the Individual World Championship, in the same year.

This victory was a masterclass in precision and power. Competing against the national champions from 12 countries, Jack dominated the six-discipline event with a near-perfect score of 79 points. His performance included setting a New Zealand record in the Single Saw, showcasing the technical excellence that underpins his raw strength. He also contributed to the New Zealand Team’s fourth-place finish.

This 2025 world title adds to an almost unparalleled career resume. Jack has won 11 individual events and four with the NZ STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® team. His trajectory has been phenomenal since first representing New Zealand at age 14. He won his first world title at 17 and, at 18, became the youngest-ever winner of the prestigious Underhand World Championship at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Now in his second decade representing the elite New Zealand Men’s team, which he made at just 16, Jack has consistently broken records, including his own world best time for the Stihl World Trophy in 2024.

From a teenage prodigy to the sport’s reigning global king, Jack Jordan embodies the pinnacle of rural sports achievement. His 2025 World Championship victory is a testament to sustained excellence, relentless dedication, and his status as one of New Zealand’s greatest-ever wood-chopping athletes.

Tim Stafford

fencing

Age: 49
Hometown: Tim Stafford

At 49, Marton’s Tim Stafford stands as a towering figure in competitive fencing. He proves that mastery, leadership, and world-class skill are ageless. A finalist for the PTS Logistics New Zealand Rural Sportsman of the Year, his 2025 season was a phenomenal comeback. He reclaimed the sport’s most coveted prize a decade after his first victory.

Tim’s year was defined by a stunning treble of major titles: the Silver Spades doubles championship with his doubles partner Jeff, which showcased elite teamwork; the East Coast Fencing Rivalry in Virginia, USA, demonstrating New Zealand standards on the world stage; and, after a ten-year gap, reclaiming the Golden Pliers, New Zealand’s premier solo fencing competition, by defeating the nation’s finest fencers.

This victory highlights Tim’s expertise and dedication. He is a respected competitor with decades of experience and multiple regional titles. Tim has grown from champion to custodian of the sport. Now, as Chairperson of the NZ Fencing Competitions Committee, he volunteers his time to guide, develop, and uphold best practices for future generations.

Outside fencing, Tim is a regenerative farmer on 200 hectares of sheep and beef country and enjoys social mountain biking.

Winning the Golden Pliers once defines a career. Winning it again a decade later, plus national and international doubles honours, shows remarkable consistency, technique, and drive. Tim Stafford is more than a champion fencer. He is a leader and stands for skill, integrity, and passion in New Zealand’s rural sports community.

Leo Jecentho

Sheep Dog Trials

Age: 76
Hometown: Waingaro

At 71, Leo Jecentho of Waingaro is not just competing in sheep dog trialling; he is defining its pinnacle. A finalist for the PTS Logistics New Zealand Rural Sportsman of the Year, his 2025 season was a masterclass in sustained excellence, cementing his status as one of the sport’s absolute greats.

Leo, with his champion heading dog Jake, achieved the rare and coveted double in 2025: winning both the New Zealand Short Head & Yard Championship and the South Island Short Head & Yard Championship. Remarkably, with just this one dog, he also placed in the Long Head finals at the North Island, South Island, and National championships, a testament to an extraordinary partnership.

These victories earned him the highest honour in the sport: selection to represent New Zealand in the Trans-Tasman Test Series for the prestigious Wayleggo Cup. In trialling, where no formal world championship exists, this test against Australia is the ultimate international stage. It caps a season where he was also crowned the top dog in the Waikato Centre for nine consecutive years.

With a career spanning nearly 40 years, Leo’s 2025 triumphs add to a legacy that includes winning the Wayleggo Cup with his dog Tess in 2023. His success is born from daily work, still using dogs to muster on hard hill country.

Beyond competing, Leo is a cornerstone of the community. He mentors youth through the Growing Future Farmers programme, serves on multiple committees, and has dedicated years to coaching rugby.

By winning national titles and donning the silver fern at 71, Leo Jecentho embodies the timeless values of skill, partnership, and service. He operates at the absolute peak of his sport, proving that true championship calibre only deepens with time.

The Fonterra Young New Zealand Rural Sportsperson of the Year Award

Jodiesha Kirkpatrick

Shearing Sports

Age: 19
Hometown: Gisborne

At just 19, Gisborne’s Jodiesha Kirkpatrick has forged a formidable reputation as a rare dual-threat talent in New Zealand shearing sports. A finalist for the Fonterra Young New Zealand Rural Sportsperson of the Year, she excels in both the blade and the board, mastering the distinct disciplines of competitive shearing and woolhandling.

The 2024-2025 season cemented her status. Jodiesha was one of a handful nationwide to compete in both classes, undertaking a gruelling travel and competition schedule. Her results were exceptional: she contested 20 Junior shearing finals, winning 11, and reached nine Junior woolhandling finals, winning four. She achieved the coveted “double” – winning both events on the same day – three times, at the Poverty Bay, Wairarapa, and Hawke’s Bay Autumn Shears. She also shone at the NZ Championships in Te Kuiti, placing second in Junior shearing and fourth in woolhandling.

Born to shearing contractors, she started at 15. An early goal of shearing 200 lambs in a day at age 17 highlighted her work ethic, while a second place in the 2024 Golden Shears Junior woolhandling final signalled her competitive pedigree.

Jodiesha aims for the pinnacle of the sport: a Golden Shears title, emulating two uncles. She plans to work internationally, from Australia to Italy, and harbours a long-term ambition for a shearing tally record. Her life is defined by early starts, vast travel, and a deep commitment to her whānau and the shearing industry she represents with such skill and pride.

Wilson House

harness racing

Age: 21 Hometown: West Melton

At just 21, Canterbury’s Wilson House has rocketed to the forefront of New Zealand harness racing. A finalist for the Fonterra Young New Zealand Rural Sportsperson of the Year, he combines a fierce work ethic with elite driving talent, securing his place among the nation’s best in a breakout 2025 season.

His year was defined by a “have horse, will travel” attitude. Driving in over 740 races nationwide, Wilson clinched his first New Zealand Junior Drivers Premiership with 94 wins and broke the $1 million prize money barrier. Most impressively, he finished third overall in the open National Drivers’ Premiership, outperforming seasoned veterans in only his fifth season of driving.

A key player in his father Michael’s powerful stable, Wilson is more than just a driver; he is a vital hand in training and logistics. His skill made him a sought-after freelance driver, notably piloting The Present Maker to six wins, including a maiden Listed race victory at Ashburton. His talent was recognised internationally with selection for New Zealand in the Australasian Young Drivers Championship.

Articulate, humble, and fiercely dedicated, Wilson is a premier ambassador for his sport. He competes weekly against legends like eight-time champion Blair Orange, holding his own through a combination of natural aptitude and relentless travel from one end of the country to the other.

Looking ahead, his goals are clear: to win more races and, one day, capture a coveted Group 1 title. With a grounded personality, enjoying time with family, friends, and his guitar, Wilson House represents the bright future of rural sport: supremely skilled, refreshingly modest, and driven to succeed at the highest level for years to come.

Jack Matthews

Woodchopping

Age: 18 Hometown: Hokitika

At just 18, Hokitika’s Jack Matthews is a woodchopping phenomenon. He is carving his name into history while representing the sport’s future. A finalist for the Fonterra Young New Zealand Rural Sportsperson of the Year, he combines raw power with exceptional composure. He excels on the international stage and leads his community.

Jack’s 2025 season was legendary. He represented New Zealand in Adelaide and was instrumental in the Colts team’s Trans-Tasman series victory. Individually, he made history by becoming the first competitor in 94 years to win two major Adelaide Show trophies: Junior Axeman of the Show and the Most Consistent Axeman award. He took both from Australian soil for the first time ever.

Domestically, his dominance is unquestioned. He is the reigning South Island Under-21 Champion (Hateley Trophy) and dominated his local Coast–Buller circuit, winning the Overall Champion (Oscar) award. He also impressed as the youngest competitor at the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® Rookie Championships. He held his own against athletes seven years his senior.

First selected for the New Zealand Colts team at 15, Jack’s maturity and versatility across all chopping and sawing disciplines belie his age. He consistently competes against and beats current and former national representatives on the block.

Jack’s leadership is profound. In 2025, he served as Head Boy of Westland High School and captained the First XV rugby team. He was also recognised as a dedicated team player for a Christchurch club. Now, he has begun a plumbing apprenticeship and balances full-time work with elite sport.

His goals are world-class: to represent New Zealand at the open level and to become a STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® World Champion. Jack Matthews has a rare blend of historic achievement, local dedication, and a humble, community-focused character. He embodies the very best of New Zealand’s rural sporting spirit.

The Levno Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand Rural Sports Award

Eileen Smith - waimate

shearing

Eileen Smith is a shining star in the world of shearing. Her boundless passion for shearing and her commitment to her community make her a true standout. At 67 years old, Eileen is the energetic secretary and executive officer of the Waimate Spring Shears, a two-day event that takes place annually in South Canterbury and draws 150 competitors. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, she held the event successfully in 2021. Eileen also plays an active role in shearing sports at the regional and national levels, serving as secretary for the Shearing Sports New Zealand South Island committee and the National Shearing Circuit committee. Not only has Eileen contributed greatly to the sport of shearing, but she has also helped raise funds for a new multi-purpose venue. Her goal is to continue to drive the growth and success of the Waimate Spring Shears for years to come.

Deirdre bartlett - opake, wairarapa

sheepdog trials

Deirdre Bartlett is a true legend in the world of sheepdog trials. With her deep knowledge of breeding and her dedication to accuracy, she’s the perfect person to serve as the Keeper of the Stud Register. At 68 years old, Deirdre has a lifetime of experience in the sport and has been a competitive triallist since 1974. She’s also won four Wairarapa Top Dog awards! In 2001, the Opaki local took over the job of Stud Register and transformed it from a print register to a digital one. She created a spreadsheet of championship results dating back to 1911 and is now working on making the stud register available on a mobile app. This is just one example of her commitment to the sport and her dedication to making sheepdog trials better for everyone involved. In recognition of her hard work and achievements, Deirdre was awarded Life Membership of the New Zealand Sheep Dog Trial Association in 2021. When she’s not busy with sheepdog trials, Deirdre is also a talented Endurance horse racer. With all these accomplishments and more, it’s easy to see why Deirdre is such a beloved and respected figure in the world of sheepdog trials!

elizabeth mortland - taihape

gumboot throwing

Elizabeth Mortland is a true champion in the world of gumboot throwing! Her tireless efforts and enthusiasm for the sport have made a lasting impact and helped it grow and thrive in New Zealand. She has been the driving force behind the NZ Boot-throwing Association since 2009 and has been instrumental in organizing and coordinating various competitions and events. In 2014, Elizabeth established the New Zealand Boot-throwing Association as an Incorporated Society and has been serving on its board ever since. Under her leadership, the NZBTA became the 10th member country of the International Boot-throwing Association in 2015 and she was elected as its President in 2018, a position she still holds with grace and determination. Not only is Elizabeth dedicated to promoting gumboot throwing, but she’s also quite the thrower herself, having won silver and gold medals at World Championships in Italy, Finland, and Taihape. Elizabeth has been a key player in establishing the annual North Island, South Island, and New Zealand Championships, and she even played a role in getting Skellerup boots designated as the “official” gumboots for competitions. When she’s not throwing gumboots, Elizabeth enjoys gardening, kayaking, and giving back to her community through involvement in various committees

patsy shirley - lumsden

shearing

Patsy Shirley and her family are true champions of the wool industry, with a passion for shearing sports that spans a lifetime. They established the Northern Southland Community Shears in Lumsden in 2009, with a mission to keep the NZ Longwool Shearing and Wool Handling Championships thriving in Southland. Through Patsy’s tireless efforts, the event has grown into a two-day celebration, attracting over 200 entries each year, despite four changes of venue. The Lumsden local is the glue that holds it all together, a true “rock” who tirelessly works to make the Northern Southland Community Shears a success. Her dedication to her rural community and shearing is unwavering, and her future goals are simply “to retire, or if not, to keep going.” At 76 years young, Patsy Shirley is an inspiration to us all.

The Courtesy Ford Lifetime Legacy Award

Jason wynyard - Kawakawa

timbersports

Jason Wynyard MNZM | Ngāti Maniapoto and Ngāpuhi hails from Kawakawa and is a true icon in the wood-chopping world. Jason has been dominating the sport for over 30 years with a remarkable 230 Championships under his belt. This Kiwi champion started young, encouraged by his father, and has been unstoppable ever since. In 2017, the Queen acknowledged his incredible achievements and awarded him the New Zealand Order of Merit. At the Stihl Timbersport World Championships, Jason competes against the best woodchoppers worldwide, including Australia, France, and the USA. In 2022, he clinched the New Zealand Stihl Championship and placed 5th at the individual world championships in Gothenburg, Sweden. Jason’s success speaks volumes about his love for the sport and unwavering dedication to excellence. In 2023, Jason sets his sights on the ultimate goal: winning the Stihl TIMBERSPORTS® World Championship in Stuttgart, Germany. He enjoys exploring the great outdoors, fishing, and diving when he’s not competing. Jason’s achievements inspire and motivate others to strive for excellence, and his impact on wood chopping is legendary.

Reuben de Jong - auckland

Highland Heavies

Reuben de Jong is an all-around athletic powerhouse! With a background in both Highland Games and Strongman competitions, Reuben has racked up an impressive collection of titles and achievements. In Strongman, Reuben is a two-time NZ Strongest Man champion and holds multiple national records in stone lifting, Farmers Walk, and Conan’s Wheel. He even came in second in the NZ Strongest Man competition in 2017 after a 13-year gap. In Highland Games, Reuben shines as a two-time Oceania Highland Games champion and a three-time winner of the NZ Rural Games. He’s got the skills and the strength to stand tall on the podium and holds the NZ record for the 56lb weight for height at an impressive 17 feet. Reuben’s not just a strongman – he’s a versatile athlete. He’s won numerous titles in Mixed Martial Arts and professional wrestling and even appeared in films, TV shows, and commercials, showcasing his acting talent. Despite facing stiff competition from world-class athletes, Reuben continues to shine and inspire others. His drive, talent, and diverse background make him a true all-around athlete, and he’s not slowing down anytime soon!

dr luk chin - tamahere, waikato

harness racing

Dr Luk Chin is a true legend in harness racing! With over four decades of experience, he’s still going strong at the age of 80 and continues to inspire many in the sport. Dr Chin has dedicated his life to both his work as an anaesthesiologist and his love for horses and harness racing. He trains and races all his horses, bred by him, in Tamahere near Cambridge. He’s never bought a horse and has never stopped being involved in harness racing. In 2021 and 2022, Dr Chin’s horses made a big impact, with two running in the Harness Jewels and three winning within 24 hours. He competes against the best in the country and specializes in trotters that he has bred and trained himself. With over 100 wins as both a driver and trainer, Dr Chin had his best season in 2022 at the age of 79. Although his work in the health field and his harness racing commitments keep him busy, Dr Chin still manages to pursue other interests. He was instrumental in starting the Anglesea clinic in Hamilton and is currently involved in developing health hubs in Cambridge and Pukekohe. With his future goal to breed, own, train, and drive a Group 1 winner, Dr Luk Chin remains a true inspiration in harness racing.

The Sir Brian Lochore Memorial Award for Outstanding Sportsperson from a Rural Background

jordy barrett

all black

Jordy Barrett grew up in Pungarehu in South Taranaki

Jordy Barrett grew up on a farm in Pungarehu in South Taranaki with his seven siblings – three of whom have donned the All Blacks jersey. A utility back for the All Blacks and the Hurricanes, Jordy made his 2017 debut for New Zealand against Samoa and has since been impressing fans with his skills. Barrett has represented New Zealand at the age-grade level and was part of the 2016 under-20 side that took part in the World Championships in England. He also plays for Taranaki at the provincial level.

Chelsea Bremner

black fern

Chelsea Bremner grew up in Little River, Banks Peninsula

Chelsea Bremner from Little River on Banks Peninsula made her Black Ferns debut on in 2020 against the New Zealand Barbarians, and her international debut against Australia last year. Bremner was selected for the Black Ferns 2021 Rugby World Cup 32-player squad and scored the opening try against. In 2019, she was named the Farah Palmer Cup Player of the Year.

Courtney Duncan

Motorcoss

Courtney Duncan grew up in Palmerston, South Otago

Courtney Duncan grew up in Palmerston (the southern one) in Otago. In 2019, she won the first of her three FIM Women’s Motocross World Championships, with nine wins from ten races.

Georgina Ponsonby

black fern

Georgina Ponsonby grew up in Feilding

Georgia Ponsonby debuted for Manawatū in the Farah Palmer Cup in 2017, while in her last year at Feilding High School. Ponsonby moved to Christchurch. She made her Black Ferns debut off the bench against France in Pau in 2021 and was a member of the Black Ferns Rugby World Cup 2021 winning squad.

Kerri Williams (nee Gowler) MNZM

Double Olympian Coxless Pair &Women’s Eight

Kerri Gowler MNZM grew up in Raetihi & Marton

Kerri Williams (nee Gowler) MNZM | Rangitāne: Olympic champion and double medallist, a three-time world champion and 2019 world champion in both the coxless pair and the women’s eight. Kerry was born in Raetihi and attended school in Marton.

Tim Southee

black cap

Tim Southee who grew up in Whangarei

Tim Southee from Whangarei, Tim plays for the New Zealand cricket team in all formats. He is the captain in Tests, and vice-captain in T20Is. Southee is a right-arm fast-medium bowler and a lower-order batsman who can hit some big shots. He’s one of the youngest players to represent Aotearoa, debuting at 19, and made a big impact on his Test debut by taking 5 wickets and scoring 77 runs off 40 balls. He was even named captain for a T20I match against West Indies and led his team to a 47-run victory!