April is obviously the month for the big shows, first we have Crufts then we have the British Alpaca Society National show in Stafford. I am not entirely sure they are comparable but for alpaca breeders it is their chance to show off their work and to compete against breeders from the UK, Ireland & Europe.
It takes place over 3 days at the Staffordshire agricultural show ground which is not a million miles away, so I thought I would go along and see what all the fuss is about and work out what the perfect alpaca should look like.
All alpacas arrive on the Friday and are installed in various pens inside a huge hall, they are then vet checked. This is a feat in itself as there are approximately 600 alpacas gathered for the 3 days.
I arrived Friday afternoon just in time for the first classes (multi colours and modern greys), however I am slightly baffled when I arrive at the showground as I can’t actually see anything to say there is an alpaca show on plus there are no cars or horseboxes in sight. Anyway after strolling around for a while I finally manage to tract down the alpacas (600 should be quite easy to spot really!). As I walk into the hall what strikes you is there is no sound apart from fans. Alpacas are obviously outside creatures and at this time of year they have their full coats of floof so to stop the alpacas overheating each owner has various fans pointed directly into each pen, and it is very amusing how much some alpacas love the fan and will body barge each other to get prime position directly in the main air flow.
The showing is done according to sex, males in 1 ring and females in another. They are then separated by colour, age and type (Huacaya or Suri). Once each colour is shown the winners are then bought back to select the colour champion. This champion will the go into the final to compete to be crowned Supreme champion of all colours.
I was helping out a friend and the boy I was showing was a lovely chap called Comet, he is so calm and dignified and amazingly doesn’t have a single spec of dirt or straw on him – he really puts my lot to shame. This is the only primping you are allowed to do – you may pick off debris from the floof, but absolutely no washing, brushing or cutting of coat is allowed.
Comet came a respectable 2nd (to last years champion so we were happy), and it turns out that the winners were white, Haucaya on the left, Suri on the right.
But in addition to the showing there was a variety of other distractions, many stalls selling alpaca products, plus alpaca food, medicine and halter suppliers etc. There was also an “experience” hall which meant that anyone could have a go at skirting and noodling, try your hand at weaving, and a zone where children could meet, learn a bit about them and walk alpacas. However, the best bit was alpaca agility – just like Crufts there was a series of jumps, weaving poles and water trays for the alpacas to negotiate, it was absolutely hysterical, but the alpacas really seemed to enjoy it. This of course means my poor boys are about to be introduced to the wonderful world of agility – currently constructing an obstacle course in the paddock. Cusco seems to be showing some promise as last night he managed to somehow get out of his current paddock and into another section that is currently resting. Poor Jester was distraught his little friend had left him, Cusco seemed to be quite happy with the fresh new grass and I was totally baffled as to how he got there as the fence was intact and the gate was shut!
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