Woodchop competitor Noel Marsh has been swinging axes on the show circuit for about three decades.
The Hunter Valley axeman was taking a well-earned rest when the Gunnedah Times caught up with him mid-event.
“I placed fourth in that heat,” Mr Marsh said.
Although he prefers the saw competition over the woodchop, he enjoyed each event for its own merits.
Mr Marsh was in town to “help out” the mid-west zone with their competition.
He said the Gunnedah Show had a great following among woodchop competitors.
“I like this show … it has good prizemoney,” he said.
Three of the four main entry categories – 300mm underhand handicap, standing block handicap and standing block championship – featured a first prize of $400, followed by $300 for second and $200, third.
Also competing in Gunnedah was New Zealander and rising star in woodchop competition, Sam Unahi.
He won his heat easily on Saturday and it was easy to see why.
Sam placed third in last year’s championship chop at the NZ U21 Axemen event and was using the Gunnedah competition as good practice ahead of his appearance at this weekend’s Sydney Royal Easter Show.
More than 150 men, women and junniors compete at the Sydney Royal’s woodchop event each year for the chance to share in $250,000 in cash prizes on offer for the winners.
Noel Marsh has on the competitive woodchop circuit for the last 30 years.
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