08/08/2024
Alpaca Showing & Etiquette at Shows.
(6-8min read)
Etiquette relates to manners, protocol & customs.
We will attempt to cover these aspects in both exhibiting & judging.
This is particularly for members new to showing, in order to provide an idea of what to expect at a show.
Many experienced showmen & women might disagree with our thoughts but these are based on our own experiences.
We are ofcourse open to opinion☺️
Our interest in showing began in 2011
We attended our first show with two Suri females at a small agricultural show.
Local VER members were very welcoming & helpful. It was a memorable, fun day.
So many mentors have contributed to our journey, all generously sharing their time & knowledge with us 😘
The point is that everyone needs help & advice to begin with, so don’t hesitate to ask.
Just avoid doing so before someone is about to enter the show ring.
If you’re interested in showing, visit a local show. Observe what exhibitors do, particularly before judging.
Find a good spot at the ring side to watch the classes being judged & see how well exhibitors handle their animals.
Be generous wth your applause👏👏
Towards the end of the day, after individual age classes are completed, the judging of the SUPREME will commence.
This is when all the breed champions compete for the ultimate Supreme Champion title.
Shows vary, so consult the show schedule for details.
Sometimes there will be added colour classes at the conclusion of the show.
Or Sire/Dams progeny classes.
You will find a convenors desk usually quite close to the showring.
Be polite & patient & someone will help you with any questions you may have.
Preparation
Showing starts at home with breeding & selection, which is a topic for another day.
Preparation includes ensuring that the alpacas are clean & halter trained. Alpacas are shown in paddock condition so they really just need a quick look over.
Check for vegetable matter that you can pick off the fleece. Check their eyes are clear & also that the toenails are trimmed/tail area clean.
Proper halter training helps both the judge & the exhibitor.
Most shows publish a schedule listing different classes, show rules & entry fees.
Often shows combine a fleece show as well where you can enter shorn fleeces. These will need to be posted to the show convenor in a timely manner prior to show day.
There will be a closing date, typically two to six weeks before the show, so make sure to submit your entries & fees on time.
Select the classes you want to enter.
When you are a member of the Alpaca association the eAlpaca database makes entering easy 😌
It will categorise your animals into the correct class. You’ll need to pay the corresponding cost together with extras like admin fees, extra pens, catalogue etc.
Every show is different.
Your entries will then be emailed to you.
On the morning of the show.
Ensure ear tags match the animals you have entered.
Make sure to carry your camelid waybill where necessary.
You will be required to wear the correct attire in the show ring. AAA black.
You’ll also require an armband to exhibit your number in the show ring.
Don’t forget to polish your boots & pack them separately so they are good to go before exhibiting.
Bring essentials for alpacas like water (usually available at the show) & feed/buckets, hay.
Too much feed at a show will upset your alpacas gut. We like to back the feed off at the show, less is more. They are nervous too😬
You will need sufficient halters for all animals.
Don’t forget any marketing material you may need.
We also pack a first aid kit which contains
Bandages, cetrigen spray, Vitamin B1 (can help with stress) & whatever extras we may need depending on the length of the show.
Some shows are several days long ☀️🌙
Show Day
On show day, allow plenty of time to prepare & load the alpacas. You will need to separate sexes in your float. Bring your camelid waybill, any vehicle/parking pass & entry tickets supplied to you.
At the showground, book in your stock by handing in your waybill at the convenors desk. Also collect your catalogue & show numbers, which you will wear on your left armband in the showring.
Locate your allocated pens, unload the alpacas & provide them water.
After securing the alpacas & moving your vehicle, you can display promotional material if desired (check show criteria).
Stay close to your pens, as a steward will check your animals in their pen.
This records if they are in the correct class.
Open up & put on your arm band numbers & familiarise yourself with your classes in the catalogue.
Breathe…..you are here at the show now🐢
Showing
Keep a close eye on when your class will begin. You can ask the marshalling steward at the showring entrance if you need guidance. If it’s your first show, be sure to let the steward know.🥰
Showing involves subjective assessment against a standard. The Judge, or sometimes more than one, will assess your alpacas based on the breed standard & their opinion of the finer breed points. Exhibitors should be sensibly & smartly dressed in the approved AAA attire which is black with approved logo.
Judging usually starts with the Junior classes.
Junior Female Suris
separated into colour classes🏅
Then the best of these…..
Champion & Reserve Champion
Junior Female Suri🥇🥇
Now the Junior Male Suris
again separated into colour classes🏅
Then the best of these…..
Champion & Reserve Champion
Junior Male Suri🥇🥇
Now judging will switch to Huacaya.
Female Junior Huacayas
separated in colour classes🏅
Then the best of these
Champion & Reserve Champion
Junior Female Huacaya🥇🥇
Now the Junior Male Huacayas
again separated into colour classes🏅
Then the best of these……
Champion & Reserve Champion
Junior Male Huacaya🥇🥇
This format continues throughout the show with all age classes until there is a Champion & Reserve Champion for each Age class in
Female & in Male.
Age criteria for Halter classes
* Junior - 6 to under 12 months
* Intermediate - 12 to under 18 months
* Adult - 18 to under 30 months
* Senior - 30 months and over
Some shows may offer Mature class & sometimes a wether class.
The grand final is the SUPREME !
This is where all champions are judged to find the BEST animal across all ages
First in Suri 🏆
Then in Huacaya.🏆
A marshalling steward will help organize & inform you about the judging. If you receive a blue or red ribbon or a broad sash you may be required to come back into the ring.⏰
The judge will assess each alpaca’s movement, conformation & fleece characteristics.
The judge will closely inspect each alpacas teeth, eyes, head, back, loins, back end, tail, ge****ls & testicles if male.
The judge will also inspect the fleece, paying extra attention to fleece quality.
In Australia 60% of points are accrued from fleece and 40% from conformation.
The judge may ask you to walk your alpaca again & will place them in order of merit. Different judges have different preferences, making showing interesting.
Keep your alpaca between you & the judge when you can. Watch the judge🤩
Listen to the ring steward, who will explain what is to happen in the ring.
Remember you are on show, stand tall & show your animal off to their best 😎
Most importantly smile & enjoy the day.
After judging, congratulate your peers.
Listen intently to the judges critique, after all it’s why you entered.
Thank the judge with a polite nod.
Now you get to pose for any photographs🤗
You can discuss the judging back in the pens, not in the show ring.
The show ring is a valuable place for learning, companionship & enjoyment.
After judging, make the alpacas comfortable & provide food before exploring the show & networking with your peers.
Enjoy raising awareness about alpacas to the general public, who usually show keen interest.
Come join us at the National show in *Bendigo 16th-18th of Aug 24
*Adelaide Royal 31st-1st Sept 24
*Sale 14th Sept 24
*Melbourne Royal 28th-29th Sept 24
Or check out what shows are on in eAlpaca.
You can become a member of the Australian Alpaca Association for as little as $50 per year. There is a wealth of information supplied by the AAA on the website & so much more again for members.
Check it out 😉
Otherwise any questions?
We’re happy to help over the phone
0423547768
See you at the show😀
💙
