We had the pleasure of visiting Syracuse for the Empire Extravaganza. US 81 in Northern Pa. and New York offers some breath-taking scenery. We did very well at this show. Bali won another blue ribbon. She was one of the final three the judge called forward for the light color championship. Unfortunately she was third in this group. The champ and reserve champ were both beige, so we feel justified in saying that Bali was the top fawn female. Moxie and Carimba also took blue. Moxie is a brown female from the wonderful program of Drs. Tom and Jeri Booher of Timberland alpacas in Oregon. She had previously won multiple blues in shows and a Reserve Championship out West. This is the first blue for Carimba. We are happy that it was won at a large and prestigious level five show. We have always felt that Carimba is one of our most beautiful animals. Ramadi and Belleza won second place ribbons with the judge commenting very favorably on both. This show was extremely competitive and we feel fortunate that our females did so well.
Our last cria, born this Fall, is a tuxedo pattern fawn and white: truly a cute little guy named Bogart. Unfortunately Boggy's dam has inadequate milk and he was doing poorly. He refused bottled milk and started to loose weight. After a gastric transfusion, he has made a remarkable recovery. He now guzzles his bottles; is gaining weight; and now running with the other crias. There are so many things that contribute in a positive way to the alpaca life style, but none are more rewarding than seeing Bogart tear up and down the pasture. Mike
Labels: Show Winners Again Empire Extravaganza Alpaca Show Championship winners Alpaca Show in NY
Hi everybody. Sarah and I were at the VAOBA Expo last weekend. This was a big and very competitive event. It was just six animals shy of a level five event. The first show of the fall season is always fun. You get to see all your breeder friends that you haven't seen for a few months. As always we met some new folks also. Alpaca breeders are such a diverse group of people: I always learn something new.
Looking around at this show and talking to a few new people got me thinking about new people at shows. I think a big alpaca show can be daunting for newcomers. Within color groups all the alpacas look pretty much the same to the novice. I think it is probably a bit boring to watch the judges prodding and poking when you really don't understand what the judging criteria are. The sheer number of animals can be overwhelming: Who do you look at and for what do you look? My advice to someone thinking about alpacas--------visit a farm or two before your first show. Almost any established breeder can get you started on the basics. Probably best to let the breeder know you are not yet interested in buying; you just want to learn. Ask to see fleece samples. Then look at some alpacas. Maybe one of the farms best, and one not so good and start learning the difference. Start forming some very preliminary feelings about what you like and what's not so appealing. That is all you have to absorb to begin. If you like animals by now these beautiful creatures will probably seem pretty appealing. If so start reading. The AOBA web site is probably a good place to start. Visit another farm. You will almost certainly have more incite on this visit. If you find all this exciting, try a show. Talk to several breeders there. Sarah and I love to talk about our alpacas and you will find that most other breeders will be more than happy to talk to you. Remember to ask to see a breeders animals after they have been shown; not before. After the championship judging be sure to ask to see the winners as they leave the ring. This way you will learn what the best look and feel like. Nothing beats hands on.
Back to VAOBA Expo. As mentioned, this was a large and competitive show. We were fortunate to do very well at this show. Our fabulous light fawn female, Balamani, won the light color championship. Our young fawn male, LA Eros, took second in what the judge described as the most competitive group of males. In addition Long Acres took four thirds and three fourths. We look forward to showing at Empire this weekend.
Labels: Alpaca Shows, Virginia Alpaca Show
Talk about a crowd!! This was our fourth year participating at Stoner's Farm Days. A fantastic outing, for children and those young at heart. It was estimated that there were over 3000 visitors this year. Plenty of food and activities, everything from chicken and pig racing to chainsaw carving to pony rides and a petting area. We took Pioneer and Chaska, two gelded males, to the event. Chaska is for sell as a fiber male. He is a dark brown male with very fine fleece. I had his fleece made into rovings last year (they were combined with Shady's who is a silver grey). They are very nice. He lacks the density to be a herdsire but would fantastic as a pet alpaca. We have several other males available as fiber males, from fawn to bay black and also a silver grey. Give us a call.
Our Open House held on September 28, 2008 was a big success. We estimated the crowd somewhere between 150-175 people. One of the highlights of the day was the Alpaca Clothing Fashion Show. Men, women and children modeled a total of 32 fashions, including sweaters, coats, pashminas and wraps. The finale was an incredible shawl that was spun and woven the day before by Jill Schooley and she showed it off with her husband, Travis, and our faithful alpaca gelding, Pioneer, at her side. Sales of alpaca products were very good, the favorite was a yarn called "Farm Blend" which is a beautiful heather combination of black, brown, fawn and grey. If you missed the Open House and would still like to visit, give us a call. We have plenty of alpaca products for sale and of course, alpacas, both breeding stock and fiber males.
