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Mike Pora’s holiday in Canada just paid dividends.

The shearer, wool handler and trainer for Australian Wool Innovations has taken top spot at the North American Sheep Shearing Challenge at the Calgary Stampede.

Pora says this is the eighth time he has been to Canada, his first trip here was in 1995.

“I met up in 1996, I loved the Stampede in 1995, and I met up with a guy from Turner Valley who has become my best friend now.  So, I spend a lot of time coming back and just spending a month on his ranch just riding horses and carrying on.  It is my break away from sheep normally.  I have competed a few times before, never won it, this is the first time I have won,” says Pora.

The man who calls Cowra, NSW, Australia home says his role with AWI has allowed him to grow as a shearer.

“Through that I get to work with some of the world’s best shearers and training with them and of course you are never too old to learn something yourself so I’m learning better things myself as I am training others.”

The champ from New South Wales is already looking to 2016.

“I hope to be back next year to defend my title.”

Rural Roots Canada`s coverage of the 2015 Calgary Stampede brought to you by:

Soderglen Ranches Ltd. is one of the largest Seedstock cattle operations in Canada, and the company’s land base has grown to include ranches northwest of Airdrie, southwest of Fort Macleod and southeast of Cardston. Soderglen raises grain and a variety of beef breeds – including two they have developed – concentrating on genetics of the beef business and outstanding customer service. We raise Black Angus, Red Angus, Simmental, Charolais, CCM and MAX hybrid cattle. For more information click here.