Riverside Alpacafest Results
Well, Selene did not win a ribbon at Riverside Alpacafest. She was in a class of 10 against some pretty big farms (like Magical Farms with a total herd of 1700+ alpacas). The judge felt she was lacking in fleece density compared to the others. But I didn’t really go to win a ribbon (although it would have been nice). I went more for the experience. Selene did very well in the show ring and I was pleased with her overall. She went where I wanted her to go and she stood still when I wanted her too. So that part was a success for me. Also, I attended some very good seminars, got some good ideas, met more alpaca people, and overall got a better idea of how to participate in a show to get the most out of it.
Back to the fleece. Selene does have a very fine fleece. She is still a juvenile and this is her first shear so we will have to wait and see how she fills in. Sometimes that second year produces a thicker coat. Also, I am more interested in her genetics and will breed her to good herdsires, so what she produces in offspring is more important to me.
I saw some beautiful animals while I was there. Some heardsires with fleece so dense, you could bounce a quarter off of it, but incredibly soft when you stuck your hand inside. I spent more time this show walking around and looking at other alpacas trying to get an idea of what exactly is good conformation, good fleece (density, handle, crimp). It is one of those things where you feel like the more you learn, the less you know. But I look back on what I know a year ago and realize that I have absorbed a lot of information in this short time.
The more I spend time at these shows and around the alpacas, the more I want to stick with this. The animals are great and the people are as well. This was a great show and we will likely be back next year.
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Glad to hear Selene was a good girl!