SHE thought she was just making up the numbers when she entered a prestigious sheep shearing competition in New Zealand.

Instead Claire Wilson, from Broughton, became only the second person from Scotland to win a Golden Shears International championships title in shearing or woolhandling.

The 21-year-old, the winner of the novice woolhandling competition, was reaping the benefit of training she received back at her home from her granddad Geordie.

Her brother Scott, 23, who himself has reached 12 senior shearing finals in New Zealand, was on hand to give encouragement.

While back at her home in Broughton, Geordie, mum Margaret, dad Robbie and grandmother Nancy watched a live stream of the event on the internet.

“We’re just so proud of Claire for winning this competition - it’s a fantastic achievement,” said her mum.

“We were all shattered watching it as it was on in the middle of the night but we just feel so elated. As a family we encourage Claire and her brother to their best.

“Scott is also doing really well - he’s one of the top shearers in the UK and has been Scottish champion at junior and intermediate level.” The family were planning a big celebration as Claire and her brother were travelling back to Peeblesshire last week.

“It’s going to be great to have them back for a little while as we don’t get to see them very much,” said Mrs Wilson. Claire took part in the novice woolhandling competition on the first day of the 55th Golden Shears in Masterton.

Not only did she reach a final for the first time in New Zealand, she outdid her brother Scott who is still waiting for his first win.

After receiving her winner’s red ribbon she said: “I didn’t think I would even reach the semi-final.” Asked for the secret behind her sudden success, she said: “I don’t even know. I can’t believe it, this is such a dream.” Claire has only been woolhandling for about 12 months working mainly for her brother, who took part in the Golden Shears senior shearing heats.

She arrived in New Zealand at the end of November, having already worked in Scotland and Norway, and got a job with a contractor.

No doubt the contractor was able to offer expert advice. He was a former Golden Shears Open shearing finalist and Golden Shears championships society president, and the current president of the Golden Shears World Council.

Claire was the second person from her country to win a Golden Shears International championships title in shearing or woolhandling, after senior winner Doug Lambie in 1990.

Scotland has, however, had two other big wins in Masterton – the World Championships teams title in 1996 and Gavin Mutch’s individual title three years ago.