U.S PLATINUM STRAINER DOUBLES CHAMPIONSHIP

The first known farm/ranch handwork competition in the US was held in late August in Galax, Virginia, at the East Coast Fencing Rivalry (ECFR).

The Fence line was designed to reflect the type of fencing US farm fencers undertake, taking into account local ground conditions (hard with rocks), with King the posts (strainers) being pre-driven and the post holes pre-drilled to 24 inches width, back filled and tampered.

The Fence lines were 100 feet in length. Specifications included Pre driven King Posts, driven to 50 inches in height with eight foot long line posts put in by hand. Six strands of Bekaert brand 12.5 gauge high tensile wire were used with wire spacings measured from top of post down 10, 18, 26, 34, 42 inches and wire tension of 180 pounds. In a homage to NZ fencing oak wooden droppers with wire clips were used, being installed with even spacing between the posts. The king and line posts were sourced from Keystone Fence Supplies and the oak droppers from Kencove Farm Supplies.

There was a time limit of 3 hours although a time penalty was not applied on the competition as the intent was to focus on quality, especially for this first year.

Three Teams lined up, Alex Masser (Pennsylvania)/ Jason Day (Virginia), Zachery Cordrey/David Jordan (both South Carolina), Luke Gibson (Indianna)/Sebron Jessrup (North Carolina).

“It was a great experience and we look forward to growing this competition and demonstrating the value of good workmanship. The aim of this competition is to bring out the best of American fencing,” commented Derrick Cox who is the organizer of the East Coast Fencing Rivalry.

Results

1st Alex Masser and Jason Day

2nd Luke Gibson and Sebron Jessup

3rd Zachery Cordrey and David Jordan

The U.S Platinum Strainer Doubles Championship is the United States qualifier event for an invitational line in the Fieldays®
Silver Spades Doubles Competition, so the winners will be travelling to New Zealand to the June 2024 Fieldays.

The East Coast Fencing Rivalry machinery fencing competition was held on the following day with five teams competing with a time limit of 3 ½ hours. The fence line being erected was 135 feet, with netting plus a top barb wire, two end assemblies of the competitor’s own choice and an 8 foot section of rail fencing at one end.-