ALSA Brochure by ALSA

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J\ LSA was founded in 1985 in west central Wisconsin. By 1990 ALSA had a membership of 300 people. 1\. Over the years ALSA has grown to more than 7,000 members (adult and youth) as of 2006. ALSA membership allows a person to receive the Handbook; have voting rights; have the ability to run for office in ALSA; have the ability to become an approved ALSA judge; to have points recorded for their llamas and alpacas; and youth can benefit from the youth programs offered through ALSA All ALSA members receive the ouarterly publication, Showring, a magazine that supplies information on shows, events, judges, ALSA youth activities and is a valuable marketing tool for their farm/ranch, their animals and themselves.

The purpose of ALSA is to promote llamas and alpacas. This is accomplished by (I) enhancing the visibility of llamas and alpacas; (2) showing the versatility of llamas and alpacas; (3) establishing guidelines for llama and alpaca shows; (4) educating, approving and regulating show judges; (5) awarding recognition to champion llamas and alpacas in a regional, national and international show system, and recording points for those llamas and alpacas; (6) educating the lama community in soundness and conformation, competitive show skills, and show management. ALSA has had tremendous growth since its creation in 1985. There were 14 approved shows in 1988, 23 shows in 1990. 40 shows in 1993. 58 shows in 1994, 78 shows in 1995 and 93 shows in 1996. These numbers climbed to 118 shows in 2002, and during the period of 2002 thru 2005. have been averaging over 200 sanctioned shows per year. This indicates a tremendous growth in the competition/showing end of the llama/alpaca industry.

Pencil and ink etching on cover: Artist - Tom Martin, Embarrass, Minnesota. Work is copyrighted. For more information on this work, contact Tom Martin, 4237 Salo Road, Embarrass, MN 55732.

ALSA established the Youth Division in 1994. recognizing the importance of youth to the industry and the wonderful relationship youth have with llamas and alpacas. All youth members of ALSA can accumulate points for themselves in the youth division. based on the same point system used in the llama classes. and these points accumulate until the youth reaches age 19. The approved ALSA youth classes are: Showmanship and Performance (obstacle. public relations and pack). ALSA also offers the Youth Judging Program where youth learn to evaluate and judge llamas and alpacas. This area of the youth program is divided into Junior. Intermediate and Senior. There are currently more than 800 youth in the ALSA Youth Division. ALSA also offers three (3) scholarships. given annually to three deserving youth at the Grand National Show. ALSA feels that youth are the future of ALSA and with that vision in mind. strives to create a positive atmosphere in which they can compete and learn.

ALSA has instituted the area of fiber judging into our competition classes. There are classes to instruct ALSA fiber judges on what to look for in fiber evaluation, grading and judging. ALSA also has "walking fiber" classes where the fiber is judged on the animal rather than as a shorn fleece. ALSA recognizes the importance of fiber within the overall evaluation, purpose and usefulness of a llama and alpaca.

ALSA offers a variety of performance classes as a part of the overall experience with llamas and alpacas. These currently include obstacle, public relations, pack, pleasure driving and obstacle driving. These classes are then broken into individual competitions according to experience level and age of exhibitor. Obstacle

class competitions consist of I separate "stations" or obstacles that test the handlers' and animals' abllity to navigate the obstacle and are designed to simulate a real life experience on a hiking trail or similar situation. Public relations classes also consist of!

a separate

"stations" that are to simulate an experience in a public arena such as a school, nursing home, hospital, parade, or other community actlvlty. Here the event usually has a theme for the course, such as a school, hospital or a holiday setting. The packing class is negotiating the

All performance classes have a specific set of rules that are followed regarding safety and ring etiquette. ALSA places considerable amount of emphasis on performance classes in that the overall evaluation of a llama/alpaca would be deficient if it did not include the purpose as a part of the criteria. Performance is one way to evaluate purpose.

obstacle course while the animal carries packs that are either filled with paper to simulate a full pack or are actually weighted packs - again 10 stations are asked to be completed. The driving classes are divided into pleasure driving, such as out for a Sunday drive, or obstacle driving, where the handler and animal are asked to negotiate an obstacle course while pulling the cart.

ALSA recognizes the importance of having fun with our llamas, and as such, most shows have classes that are just that - fun. We have sub-junior classes for those that are not old enough to be in the ring without Mom and/or Dad. We have costume classes where the llamas and alpacas are dressed for the occasion, as well as the exhibitors getting into the spirit of things. And we play games with our llamas - such as a pancake cookout to test the patience of the llama and the culinary skills of the exhibitor.

All

of this is for fun - after aJ/, that is what

llama and alpaca competition is all about - FUN!

ALSA was founded with the knowledge and appreciation that the lama farnlly included llamas and alpacas. As such, ALSA has a strong alpaca judging

system

and encourages alpaca owners to participate in our shows. Alpacas are able to partici-

pate in the performance and showmanship portion of our shows, along with llamas. However, they are required to be judged in their own fiber type and color divisions for the halter classes. Alpaca breeders and owners are encouraged to become ALSA members and show their beautiful alpacas at ALSA shows.

With the development of the ALSA point system in the 1980's, there has been a tremendous growth in the number of llamas and alpacas being recorded for point recognition based on placings at ALSA sanctioned shows. From the 127 llamas recorded with ALSA in 1989, the number grew to 650 in 1994. to over 1100 in 1995, and as of the end of 2005 to over 13,000 llamas - all receiving points for their show placings with the ultimate goal of attaining the ROM (Recognition of Merit) standing and the even more prestigious ALSA Champion. In 1990 there were three ALSA Champions; in 1994, there were 20 ALSA Champions and four Supreme ALSA Grand Champions. ALSA Halter Champions, Get of Sire Champions, Produce of Dam Champions. Non-Breeder Champions and ALSA Performance Champions.

REGIONAL AND GRAND NATIONAL SHOWS ALSA established the national competition - Grand National Show - in 1998. Since then Regional shows have been established in each region. culminating with the Grand National Show in late fall of eachyear. Grand National is the

ALSA Office 607 California Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15202 Phone: (412) 761-0211 Fax: (412) 761-0212 alsa@nauticom.net www.alsashow.org

ultimate show of Champions, and a placing there offers bragging rights for a llama/alpaca owner for a long time to come. Competition is strong. hopes are high. animals are beautiful beyond the wildest imagination. What a way to end a show year - it makes all the miles. the hours. the short nights. the training, the tears worth it. There are animals from all over the United States and Canada; the numbers of animals entered everyyear grows and cheers are heard for all winners - no matter who they may be.

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COME AND BE A PART OF A GROWING INDUSTRY J'

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COME AND LEARN ABOUT LLAMAS AND ALPACAS

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL OR WRITE:

ALSA Office 607 California Ave. • Pittsburgh, PA 15202 Phone: (412) 761-0211 • Fax: (412) 761-0212 Email: alsa@nauticom.net • www.alsashow.org