It has been a stellar year for the Paterson family from Gimmerburn. Allan and Eris Paterson, and their son Simon and his wife Sarah, won the clip of the year title, which was presented during the Otago Merino Association's Merino Excellence Awards in Queenstown on Friday night. It was the second consecutive year the family has won the title and it followed what Allan Paterson described as an "absolutely phenomenal" year, not only with their achievements, but also the season and prices. The Armidale merino stud was founded by Allan Paterson's grandfather George and, after lapsing during World War 2, it was later resurrected by his father Bruce and is now run by Allan and Simon. They won the most successful merino exhibitor at the Canterbury A and P Show last November and, last month, achieved a rare double, winning both the fine wool and the strong wool championship in the Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand's national Golden Fleece competition...

• Champion Superfine Ram
• Champion Fine Ram
• Champion Medium Ram and Reserve
• Reserve Champion Merino Ewe (medium)
• Champion Poll Ram
• Champion Poll Ewe
• Grand Champion Ram
• Reserve Grand Champion Ram
• Winner group of 3 Rams
• Winner Ivomec pairs award
• Winner Woodchester Cup
• Most successful exhibitor