SouthWestern Regional Alpaca Show

Posted 19 March, 2008 in Alpaca Shows |

SouthWestern Regional Alpaca Show was held on March 7-9 at the Arizona State Fairgrounds in Phoenix. The weekend was absolutely gorgeous with the temps in the 70’s. The show was a level IV and proved to be very competitive with many of the color classes being over 10 alpacas.

We took with us DMAR Apollo, DMAR Diego, Walls Edge Emma, and Walls Edge Shasta.

First to go into the show ring was Emma (true black yearling female). She had to compete against 10 other alpacas. Emma’s previous owners never showed her, so she was understandably nervous and kept moving around. We were in the second row and the judge moved us up into the first row. No, we didn’t take a first, but we did take a 6th place. Placements only go up to 6th place at the shows, but we were thrilled since that meant she was better than 5 other alpacas. The judge stated that her fleece was not as dense as the others before her, but remarked that although she was dusty she could still feel the fineness. This is wonderful as you all know getting fineness in the darker colors is easier said than done. By the way the following week we took Emma to IAO and she took a second.

Next in the ring was Apollo. Apollo is now a senior alpaca (2 years old). Apollo has always had a very calm, confident air about him. He walks in the ring like he owns it and demands your attention as he stands there calmly with head held high and ears standing on end. It didn’t take long for the judge to pull us up into first place. The judge commented that Apollo was very dusty (this is usually a problem for Arizona ranchers as we do not have pasture, but dirt,dirt, dirt) and not as fine as the other boys, but he definitely had the fleece growth along with density to pull him into first. Also, she commented on the width of his chest which would make him a good breeder.

Diego was next. Oh my Diego. He is without a doubt the most friendly alpaca I have on the ranch. He runs up to guests and kisses them all. You can’t help, but love Diego. Except of course if you are the one showing him in the ring. Diego cannot stand still. He is constantly moving and in one show he actually laid down threatening that he wouldn’t get up. At least at the SWRAS he didn’t lay down. We didn’t place this time around, but we do have hopes again after we get him sheared. His staple length at this point is very long and with long staple lengths the alpaca loses some of its definition in crimp. He is still super fine, but it just wasn’t enough this time.

Last in the ring was Shasta. She did great considering it was her first show as well. She walked with me and stood still. Of course she is a white alpaca and she was up against 12 other white yearling females. We didn’t place with Shasta, but we do expect her crias to be something else. No more shows for either girl. It’s time to get them bred and see what they can produce.

All in all the show I feel was a success. We had a lot of fun and we always love interacting with the public and fellow ranchers. The show is free to the public, so if you missed it this year there is always next year.  

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