Magazine of the Alpaca and Llama Show Association Spring 2013
“For people who love llamas, alpacas and the thrill of owning them�
ALSA Grand National 2013 October 25-27, 2013 Shawnee, Oklahoma
Sopris Unlimited
New Beginning..... New Location
A publication of the Alpaca & Llama Show Association
www.ALSA.org
ALSA BOD
President: Ken Forster•701-724-3059 • kforster@drtel.net Vice President: Jim Doyle• 940-488-3163 • jdoyle@marikollamas.com Secretary: Kitty Tuck-Hampel * 478-972-0808 • kitty.bod@mkllamas.com Treasurer: Patricia Wattigney (non- board member)• 504-394-3817 • pkmini2@aol.com AllenDavis • 765-533-6680 • allendavisllamas@hotmail.com Larry Lewellyn • 303-870-7341 • fhllamas@aol.com Charles Poillion • 321-689-3902 • cpoil@aol.com ALPACA COMMITTEE: Allen Davis, Liaison BOD • 765-533-6680 • allendavisllamas@hotmail.com Kevin Sullivan, Chair ,OH • 440-965-7057• alpaca@centurytel.net Cynthia Ernst,MI • 517-861-9328 • cynthiaernst@sbcglobal.net Deb Yeagle,OH 8• 419-665-2697• debyeagle@ymail.com ELECTION COMMITTEE: Ken Forster, Liaison-BOD-701-724-3059 - kforster@drtel.net Lougene Baird, Chair ,HI • 808-883-1887 • lougenebaird@hawaiiantel.net Sherry Adamcyk,CO • 303-621-9021 • sadamcyk@asd20.org Jerry Dunn,CO • 303-277-1129 • beartrak@q.com ETHICS COMMITTEE: Jim Doyle, Liaison,BOD, 940-488-3163 • jdoyle@marikollamas.com Paul Schwartz, Chair, TX • 307-672-5144 • chantar@fiberpipe.net Rick Adams,CA • 530-273-8931 • rick@wildoakllamas.com Jill Knuckles ,CO, • 970-487-0223 • talltailllamas@bigplanet.com FIBER COMMITTEE: Larry Lewellyn, Liaison, BOD • 720-733-2775 • fhllamas@aol.com Cindy Ruckman, Chair,OH •740-393-2309 •cindy@mcfarlandsllamafarm.com Cynthia Ernst,MI • 517-861-9328 • cynthiaernst@sbcglobal.net Susie Smithers,OH •937-585-5161 • susiesmithers@embarqmail.com Geri Rutledge,NE • 402-366-9304 • buckshollow@wildblue.net Patti Morgan,CO • 620-442-4996 • pmmorganks@gmail.com Marilyn Milton,OR • 541-899-8097 • marilynmilton@charter.net Finance & Budget Committee: Larry Lewellyn, Liaison BOD • 720-733-2775 • fhllamas@aol.com Patti Wattigney,LA • 504-394-3817 • pkmini2@aol.com Karen Kurbis-NE-402-785-2077-llama1mama@gmail.com Grand National Committee: Ken Forster, Liaison BOD • 701-724-3059 • kforster@drtel.net Jim Doyle, Chair - TX - 940-391-1862 .- jdoyle@marikollamas.com Kitty Tuck-Hampel - GA - 478-972-0808.- mkllamas@mkllamas.com Charles Poillion - FL - 321-689-3902 - cpoil@aol.com Larry Lewellyn - CO - 720-733-2775 - fhllamas@aol.com Allen Davis - IN - 765-533-6680 - .allendavisllamas@hotmail.com Patti Wattigney - LA - 504-394-3817 - pkmini2@aol.com Cheryl Juntilla - CO - 970-640-8028 - cajwdj@aol.com Robin Turell - TX - 713-249-3893 - figranch@flash.net Handbook Committee: Larry Lewellyn, Liaison BOD • 720-733-2775 • fhllamas@aol.com Marcie Saska-Agnew,TX Chair • 817-866-3585 • twobittwo@windstream.net Ruby Herron,TX • 281-351-1820 • figranch@flash.net Judge’s Committee: Allen Davis, Liaison BOD • 765-533-6680 • allendavisllamas@hotmail.com Barb Harris, Chair ,CO • 719-275-9457 • wildcatllamas@aol.com Margaret Henry - TX - 903-784-8257.- HenryHillsLlamas@gmail.com Patti Morgan,KS • 620-442-4996 • pmmorganks@gmail.com Deb Yeagle,OH • 419-665-2697 • debyeagle@ymail.com Kevin Sullivan,OH • 440-965-7057 • alpaca@centurytel.net Maryan Baker - CA - 951-685-6773 - llamamaryan@yahoo.com
Membership Committee: Kitty Tuck-Hampel, Liason BOD • 478-972-0808 • kitty.bod@mkllamas.com Kathy Devaul - GA - 229-431-0738 - kdevaul@bellsouth.net Nomination Committee: Charles Poillion, Liaison BOD • 321-689-3902 • cpoil@aol.com Carolyn Myers - TX - 806-867-3423 - cmyers@lyntegar.com Performance Committee: Kitty Tuck-Hampel, Liason BOD • 478-972-0808 • kitty.bod@mkllamas.com Eileen Ditsler, Chair,CA • 951-897-2783 • iceyllama@verizon.net Kathy Nichols,CA • 916-686-7086 • kathysva@aol.com Ellen Goldsmith,NV • 775-782-4242 • cvalpacas@juno.com Steve Katzakian, CA • 530-676-5544 • katzak@directcon.net Brock Royal,TX • 325-245-5752 • royalcretllamas@zipnet.us Melanie McMurray, MO • 573-698-2141 • llamapelli@aol.com Barb Harris,MO • 719-275-9457 • wildcatllamas@aol.com Sean Price,TX • 281-351-1820 • sean@figmentranch.com Policy & Planning Committee: Ken Forster, Liaison BOD • 701-724-3059 • kforster@drtel.net Barb Harris, Chair, CO • 719-275-9457 • wildcatllamas@aol.com Michele Batt, NY • 585-737-8142 • mbatt@rochester.rr.com Tracy Weaver, FL • 727-856-3582 • lotsallamas@earthlink.net Lora Crawford, CA • 209-632-6891 • lcllamas@gmail.com Promotion & Marketing Committee Charles Poillion, Liaison.BOD • 321-689-3902 • cpoil@aol.com Protest Committee: Jim Doyle, Liaison,BOD, 940-488-3163 • jdoyle@marikollamas.com Margaret Henry, Chair,TX • 903-784-8257 • HenryHillsLlamas@gmail.com Keith Wattigney,LA • 504-394-3817 • pkmini@aol.com Lora Crawford, CA • 209-632-6891 • lcllamas@gmail.com Mary Adams, CA • 530-273-8931 • mary@wildoakllamas.com Marilyn Milton, OR • 541-899-8097 • dmmilton@charter.net Barb Harris, CO • 719-275-9457 • wildcatllamas@aol.com Paul Schwartz, WY • 307-672-5144 • chantar@fiberpipe.net Publications Committee: Larry Lewellyn, Liaison, BOD • 720-733-2775 • fhllamas@aol.com Ruby Herron, Chair, TX • 281-351-1820 • figranch@flash.net Regional Committee: Kitty Tuck-Hampel, Liason BOD • 478-972-0808 • kitty.bod@mkllamas.com Cheryl Juntilla, Chair,CO • 970-640-8028 • cajwdj@aol.com Penny Thomas.OK • 918-521-0766 • pooder33@att.net Barb Harris, CO • 719-275-9457 • wildcatllamas@aol.com Joy Pedroni, CA • 510-385-2902 • joy@blackcatllamas.com Show Management Committee: Allen Davis, Liaison BOD • 765-533-6680 • allendavisllamas@hotmail.com TBA, Chair Jill Knuckles,CO • 970-487-0223 • talltailllamas@bigplanet.com Website Committee: Jim Doyle, Liaison,BOD, 940-488-3163 • jdoyle@marikollamas.com Ruby Herron, Chair,TX • 281-351-1820 • figranch@flash.net Mike Hoopegardner, IN • 317-498-0422 • mikehoop@redbudllamas.com Youth Committee: Charles Poillion, Liaison BOD • 321-689-3902 • cpoil@aol.com Susan Leslie, Chair, TX • 830-401-0819 • leslielanellamas@gmail.com Tabbethia Haubold, NY • 631-680-6721 • lilivestockco@optonline.net Diana Collins, TX • 325-486-8195 • dcollins1017@suddenlink.net Anna Reese, TX • 830-401-0819 • areese29@gmail.com Michelle Kutzler, OR • 541-740-1434 • michelle.kutzler@oregonstate.edu Heather Koenig, OR • 541-752-5434 • hjkoenig@peoplepc.com Youth Scholarship Sub-Committee: Sally Rucker, CO • 719-689-9010 • ssllama@q.com SHOWRING EDITOR/DESIGN/LAYOUT
Ruby Herron - 17102 Mueschke Rd., Cypress, TX 77433 713-249-8523 • hummingherald@figmentranch.com
The views expressed herein are those of the authors. Before undertaking any new regime with your llamas, you should always consult with your veterinarian. Only they can tell you what is best for your situation. We invite submission for unpaid articles and photographs. Email to figranch@flash.net or mail to: Ruby Herron, c/o Showring Magazine,17102 Mueschke Rd., Cypress,Tx., 77433
Letter From The Editor
Spring 2013 Contents Editor’s note....................................................................4 Office talk.........................................................................6 The Llama Nobody Wanted.............................................8 a match made in heaven.................................................11 hoosier llama alpaca association............................15 llama sculptor louise judge.....................................22 what i learned at summer camp..................................24 innovations......................................................................27 llamas in parades, a perfect world.........................28 nebraska llama association......................................34 Alsa elite champions.....................................................41 Alsa judges & apprentices..........................................44 lifetime members............................................................47
Spring In Colorado
Spring In TEXAS 4 Showring Magazine Spring 2013
Hi everyone. Now that we are on the second edition of the ALSA Showring, things are falling into place and it is getting a lot smoother. I am also getting a lot of positive feedback. Thank you for that! I have received some great articles and pictures from some of you ......... please keep them coming. You all have your favorite stories or pictures out there! Please send them in to me, Ruby, at: hummingherald@figmentranch.com . Due to the many requests, we did come up with advertising rates for the Showring. (please follow this link to see all the information you need ........ http://www.alsashow.net/magazine.html ). I did want to thank all of the wonderful advertisers that you will find in this issue of the Showring; Hank Kauffman of Llamas & Alpaca Show Trophies, www.hkauffman.com Kerri Smith of Live Oak Pet Services, www.liveoakpetservices.com Jim and Mary Nell Doyle of Mariko Llamas, www.marikollamas.com Niki &Jeff Kuklenski of JNK Llamas, http://home.nas.com/jnkllamas/ Ruby Herron, Robin Turell, Sean Price of Figment Ranch, www.figmentranch.com Marilyn and Jim Nenni of Shagbark Ridge Llamas, www.shagbarkridge.com Jay Brown of Brown’s Clipper Service Marcie Saska-Agnew and Bob Burton of 2 Bit 2 Llamas Larry and Deanna Lewellyn of Foothill Llamas In conclusion, I hope enjoy this ALSA Spring 2013 Showring edition as much as I’ve enjoyed working on it! I hope you hear from y’all soon! With regards, Your friend,
Ruby
ALSA Board and Officers
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Office Talk Hello everyone..................What a difference a year makes, right? ALSA is doing quite well! We have many members that have witnessed this, both that have renewed and some that are new to the ALSA world! I welcome anyone that has not renewed yet for 2013 to give me a call or renew online here, https://alsashow.sitestreet.com/alsashoworg/secure/membform.html . I also welcome anyone that may be contemplating joining ALSA. Give me a call and I’ll help you make that decision, 281-516-1442 We currently have 50 sanctioned shows thus far for 2013! I’m sure there are more to come! Please check the ALSA calendar for updates and shows in your area, shows are sanctioned weekly. We also have started planning our Regional shows for this fall. As soon as dates and judges have become final, you will surely be informed. The first announcement is usually sent to your email. (updates can be found here: http://www.alsashow.net/regional.html If you have not given your email address to the ALSA office, please do .................. we don’t want you to miss a thing! We have finalized our dates for the ALSA Grand National Show. The dates will be October 25-27, 2013 and this year it will be in Shawnee Oklahoma. The judges, host hotels, and other information will be announced shortly! Just stay tuned! For more information, see http://www.alsashow.net/national.html We are also going to be having a Llama Beginner, Advanced Judging and Breeder Clinic this June in Castle Rock CO. Please see inside this Showring AND here for more information. http://www.alsashow.net/2013_Castle_Rock_CO_Clinic_registration_form_and_information.pdf I still would like to ask any one of you that has an animal that has earned an ROM or ALSA Champion that has not received a certificate to please let me know. I have tried to get certificates sent out in a timely manner, but there are still some certificates that were never issued! Please let me know! I also wanted to mention to all the members of ALSA to make sure you have sent your petition for the BOD election that is currently taking place until April 10, 2013. Information about the BOD general election is inside this Showring and here for more information. http://www.alsashow.net/ALSA_2013_Election_Petition_to_Nominate_form_(2).pdf Again, I enjoy being your executive secretary! Let’s keep up the friendships! Please feel free to let me know if there is anything I can help you with! I will talk to y’all soon.
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Robin
2013 ALSA Board of Directors Election Send In A PetItIon to nomInAte Form For the 2013 GenerAl electIon All Petitions must be received by April 10, 2013 Follow instructions on form found at www.ALSAShow.org ALSA 2013 GENERAL ELECTION DAY OF RECORD IS APRIL 1, 2013 What is the Day of Record? It is the day your dues must be paid To receive a ballot for this year's General Election To Petition and to be a Candidate Be interested, be active and plan to VOTE Join at www.ALSAShow.org Or call 281-516-1442 To count, your fax or e-mail must be received by April 10, 2013; 12:00 PM Noon EST If you have questions concerning the petitioning process, Please call Lougene Baird, Election Chair at 808-883-1887 or e-mail Lougene at lougenebaird@hawaiiantel.net
ALSA Discussion Board
The purpose of this Discussion Board is to offer a format to encourage membership input, the sharing of ideas, and working together for the best of our association. Your participation is invited! You must be an ALSA member to participate in a discussion, however, anyone is welcome to view any of the discussions. The ALSA BOD WILL NOT be reviewing this Discussion Board for items for the BOD meeting agendas. If the membership would like a topic to come to the attention of the BOD or an ALSA Committee, please submit your suggestion via email and send it to the ALSA office, the ALSA BOD members or the committees. If you wish to join in on a discussion, please register and as soon as you are approved, you may start discussing. Also, if you have another topic you wish to discuss and you do not see it listed below, please contact the ALSA office and make a suggestion; it may be added to the forum.
Let’s Talk Llamas & Alpacas!
You may register on the ALSA web site under the discussion board. 7
This is the story about the llama that nobody wanted In 1994, at age 38, I was diagnosed with cancer. I was an avid horseback rider and was determined not to let anything get me down. Well as you all can see, I survived, and apparently was put on this earth to share my life and engage others with llamas! In 2001 I was taking some of my goats to the sale in Imperial, Nebraska. My husband had told me to not bring home any more goats .............. BuT he did not say anything about bringing home a llama. (hee-hee) There were two yearling llamas being auctioned at this sale and I just couldn’t resist watching. The winner of the bidding war decided that they did not want the little brown and white male llama so they put him back on the auction block and put a price of $50.00 on him. I thought what the heck and started the bid at $50.00, not thinking I would actually win him. Well, was I wrong! I was the only bidder; winning him for the $50.00. Here I was without a horse trailer, a lead rope OR a halter AND I did not know the first thing about caring for a llama. I put the rope around his neck that I had brought the goats to the sale with and led him to my van. To my surprise, he jumped right in. I made it home and bragged to my husband that I had not bought any goats, BuT he said, what was that? (as he pointed to the llama!) Luckily for me, I have one of the best husbands around! So, what do you do with a llama? I took Chewy (the name I gave him) all over town. One of the places I took him was the nursing home that I worked at. Wow, he was so good with all these patients! I
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Is It Yet ?
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A Match Made in Heaven by Kathleen Deyer Bolduc
J
ulie Bodette, owner of Sunny Meade Alpacas, Ltd., drove south on I-75, hauling a trailer holding Ray, Lucado, Starbuck, and Otis, aka “the boys.” Three other alpaca owners accompanied her. Despite a few tears, Julie maintained a steady 65 mph as she headed toward Safe Haven Farms, a community of choice for adults with autism, newly established in southwest Ohio. Julie’s boys were heading toward their new home. “I really wanted this to work, but I was worried that it wouldn’t,” Julie says from her home near Swanton, Ohio. She was donating four of her 23 alpacas to the justup-and-running Safe Haven Farms. “I had been working for weeks to desensitize the boys for their new owners, who had autism. What if they were spooked by a farmer’s unexpected movements or noises? What if they spit, or even worse, kicked a Safe Haven farmer?” Three hours later, Julie’s truck pulled into the driveway of their destination, formerly a sixty acre horse farm, now home to sixteen adults with autism and a staff of over fifty. Julie’s sister, Kimberly Buechner Fouse, along with Kimberly’s husband, Dick, pulled up at almost the same moment. They were greeted by Denny Rogers, founder of Safe Haven Farms, Mike Brinck, farm manager, and Joel Bolduc, brand-new Safe Haven resident. One by one the boys were led down the ramp from the trailer into the barn.
“We didn’t know what to expect,” Julie said. “Would they behave? How would Joel react? Would he spook them?” Everyone held their breath as Joel approached Starbuck, a handsome black alpaca with big brown eyes. Julie held Starbuck’s lead, whispering quietly into his ear. “Hold out your hand, Joel,” she said. Joel stuck out his hand and let Starbuck sniff it, then immediately moved in for a double-armed hug and snuggle. Starbuck calmly and graciously accepted the hug, and was promptly rewarded with a big kiss from Joel. Laughter lit up the gloomy barn, along with the flash of several cameras.
Joel and Starbuck
“It was quite magical, seeing that reaction,” Julie laughs, looking back at the big moment. “It was confirmation to me that these animals are intuitive.”
Julie stumbled into the alpaca business twelve years ago. A graphic designer who grew up with horses and planned on building a barn for horses on her five acre spread, Julie met with a potential customer who needed a logo for her alpaca farm. One look at the new cria on the customer’s farm and Julie fell head over heels for alpacas. She started up her own alpaca business a month later. Julie’s sister, Kimberly, and brother-inlaw, Dick, own an alpaca breeding business as well. Alpacas of the Covenant Inc. is located in Cold Spring, Kentucky. While their breeding businesses are separate, the sisters own a third business together, All Things Alpaca, LLC, which has as its product the Alpaca Fleece-filled Bird Nesting Ball, which is sold in specialty nature stores across the country and through their website. Like night and day, the sisters make a perfect whole. Julie is the creative half of the team, while Kimberly has the business skills to implement the dreams and ideas. The sisters’ mission? Share the abundance. Build a better community. Give back. Help people to grow as individuals as well as help them grow their businesses. As Julie put it, “We want to make a difference in people’s lives.” Julie’s business, Sunny Meade Alpacas, Ltd. is located in Swanton, Ohio, just down the road from Bittersweet Farms, the first farming community for adults with autism in the United States. Julie also has a neighbor with autism and had seen the intuitive spark between her alpacas and the young man down the road. She decided to check out Bittersweet Farms and see if they’d be interested in forming
“The Boys” Ray, Lucado, Otis and Starbuck
The Camelid Quarterly
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December 2010
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* Reprinted with permission of The International Camelid Quarterly. See Anticles in the QC on-line Library.
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Beginning Weaving at Grand Nationals 2012!! At Grand Nationals in October, we held the first ever Beginning Weaving class. It was held Friday evening from 4-7 p.m. and had 10 students in attendance. Karen Kinyon from Double K Diamond Llamas and Fiber instructed the class using "Flip the Folding Loom" and "Cricket" from the Schacht Spindle Co. in Boulder, CO. Looms were provided or students could bring their own. Rigid Heddle looms are considered simple looms because they only have two sheds through which to pass the shuttle. This creates a very basic pattern called "Plain Weave" or "Tabby". They are also very portable and inexpensive so that students can get involved with weaving without
purchasing a big, expensive piece of equipment. All of the skills learned from weaving on a Rigid Heddle Loom translate to the big Multi-Harness Looms when the weaver is ready. In the Beginning Rigid Heddle class, students learned how to plan a project and to use a Weaver's Project Worksheet. They figured how much warp and weft yarn was needed for their project and how much it would cost. The warping board was then introduced. This is a simple frame with pegs 1 yard apart to make measuring warp much easier. Students then measured their warp threads using the warping board. Some were more experienced than others, so they were very helpful with demonstrating the techniques. Once the warp was measured, it was removed from the warping board. Students then used the reed
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from the Rigid Heddle Loom and a Heddle Hook to sley the reed. The project was a 6" wide table runner so it didn't take long to have the warp threads centered in the middle of their reed. Next, the loom was dressed which means that warp ends were tied onto the apron rod and wound onto the back beam of the loom. Warp threads are then tied onto the front apron rod and the warp is tensioned. Because this was only a 3 hour class, students did not stay to weave their project. Many of them practiced into the night and were at Karen's booth the next morning ready to learn how to remove the finished piece from the loom. For a first time class, this was a great success. Llama owners have been making very good progress with shearing and showing their fleeces. Many of them really are getting those fleeces out of their barns and garages and sending them to mills to be processed into beautiful yarns and rov18 Showring Magazine Spring 2013
ings. Weaving offers llama breeders the next step in the completed garment process. Now they can buy an inexpensive loom, take a beginning class and learn to weave with those beautiful yarns from their own herds, creating beautiful scarves, shawls and other garments to sell or show in fiber art competitions. We all felt that pinch this year with extremely high hay prices. If llama breeders weave a few garments to sell, they can make a considerable dent in that hay bill! We had some requests for an all day weaving class at next year's Grand Nationals. We're working
toward that goal and looking forward to helping many more folks along their llama fiber journey! Shear it off, spin it up and weave somthing gorgeous!! It's fun, relaxing and nearly instant gratification....well, almost instant. Sometimes it takes a couple days!! Happy Weaving! Karen Kinyon kkdstudio@hotmail.com
Alpaca and Llama Show Association, Inc.
Llama Beginner, Advanced Judging and Breeder Clinic June 14, 15 & 16, 2013 • Castle Rock Co Instructor: Judie Moser Assistant Instructor: Barbara Harris Application Deadline:June 1, 2013
Clinic Hosts: Darold & Betty Thunder, 2741 Oakland Dr, Sedalia CO 80135 Host Hotel: Hampton Inn, Castle Rock CO 303 -660-9800 . Rate is $75 per night plus tax. Block held until May th 30 Ask for Llamas of Central Colorado rate but be sure to specify date as they have several events. Combined Beginner and Advanced Judging Clinics are open to individuals interested in entering the Judging Program as well as exhibitors, breeders, and others interested in furthering their knowledge of llamas.
Breeders Clinic Portion Includes:
Introduction to ALSA and Handbook the Llama Conformation in Depth with Movement Preparation for Show Halter and Performance Class Practicum Showing Techniques Conformation Evaluation Classes
Judges Program Includes:
The Judging Program Professionalism/Ethics Testing of Basic Knowled ge Show Preparation -Ring Procedures Judging Practice Sessions Oral Reasons Practice & Evaluation
ay and Frid The clinic begins Friday morning at 8:00 for apprentices, judges, and beginning judges. The breeders portion will be on Saturday 8am until about4:00 p.m. Persons interested in entering the Apprentice Program should -up signbelow for the full Clinic. Exact times, meeting places, lodging and travel information will be mailed on receipt of your application.
Breeders Clinic: All persons attendinge th Breeders Clinic portion only will pay $75.00 per day for ALSA members. A breeder wishing to enter the Judges program may apply the breeders fee to the amount due for the full clinic. Judges Program: Individuals interested in entering the Apprentice gram, ProApprentices and recertifying judges must attend the full three days. The fee is $250.00. for the clinic.
Refunds: There will be no refunds after June the 1st deadline. You may, however, apply the fee to another clinic. Breeders Clinic only
ALSA Member
Number _________@ $75.00/day
$___________
Judges Program
ALSA Member
Number _________@ $250.00
$___________
Total Enclosed…………… ….…$___________
Name(s): __________________________________________________________________________________ Ranch/Farm: _______________________________________________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________________________________________ ___________ City: ______________________________________ State: _____________________ Zip: ________________ -mail: E ______________________________________ Home Phone: (___) __________ Fax: (___) __________ For further information contact: Barbara ,Harris 719-275-9457 Home, cell 719 -510-0899 E-mail: wildcatllamas@aol.com
Make checks payable to ALSA and mail along with this form to: ALSA, 17102 Mueschke Rd, Cypress TX 77433
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P.O. Box 211
Sunset, Texas,
817-999-1875
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Llama Sculptor Louise Judge - Fulfilling Her Dream by Dee Gibney
L
ouise Judge was destined to sculpt llamas. Even as a toddler she loved sketching, painting and molding plasticine into animal shapes. In school an art class teacher told her she had a special talent and not to waste it. But sometimes destiny bypasses our plans and chooses its own roadmap for us –with many detours along the way. For Louise the first major fork in the road was her father. He disparaged her love of art, “a frivolity”, and her dream of going to art school – the prestigious and very selective Ontario College of Art. A prominent physician he also used his influence to thwart her alternative dream – to become a child psychiatrist as this was too lofty an aspiration for a woman. Women should be nurses. So Louise became a nurse. Drawn to work with troubled children she went on to become a psychiatric nurse dedicating herself to children with extreme emotional disorders. What she discovered during her years with the Children’s Aid Society in Ontario was a high level of sexual abuse among very young girls, but at the time there was no recourse for them once they were removed from the home. So
The Camelid Quarterly
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she decided to start her own residential treatment centre. Partnering with Ruth Chambers, a social worker who shared her passion for helping extremely abused children, she invested her own savings and built a residential haven in the Ontario countryside with its own school, a staffed home for the children, and a separate home for herself and Ruth. It was the first of its kind in Canada. They called it Cricket Hollow because it was built in a hollow and the sound of chirping crickets punctuated the still nights. Louise and Ruth turned their mutual love of children and animals into a unique therapeutic program for the girls. So damaged were these children that many of them were psychotic, needing medication and constant supervision. Many having known only neglect and abuse were distrustful and fearful of adults. So Louise and Ruth decided to introduce Borzois and Afghans to the residence. The elegant, graceful long haired dogs are sweet and docile in nature and can be very empathetic towards humans. Each girl was assigned a dog, as companion, friend and confidante. The
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dogs, says Louise, loved the children unconditionally. “Even if you stuck gum in their hair, they still loved you.” Louise designed therapy sessions using the dogs as conduits to the girls’ innermost thoughts and feelings. With time and patience, questions would be subtly directed so that the girls would describe what they thought the dog might think about a certain behavior or feeling. Slowly, over time with the ever gentle dog at her feet, each girl would begin to reveal her feelings. The girls trusted their pets and also had to learn to groom and care for them. Nurturing another creature was new to them – and a skill they would have to learn should they one day become mothers. Louise also introduced the girls to the art of sculpting, making simple pots out of clay. She acquired a porcelain kiln and began making dog sculpture trophies for dog shows. But the work with the young residents was demanding and arduous, filled with long days and nights of often wild and erratic behavior on the part of the children. Cricket Hollow’s reputation as
September 2012
dgibneycommunications@sympatico.ca
* Reprinted with permission of The International Camelid Quarterly. See Anticles in the QC on-line Library. 23
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Reprinted from Alpaca Culture ; Meyla Bianco Johnson Writer / Copy Editor
Clipper sales repair serviCe - parts Blade sharpening Most Brands
and
Models
Brown’s Clipper serviCe
217-414-8126
Jay C. Brown 1119 South 4th Street Springfield, il 62703 27
L lamas I n P arades a perfect world by Vicky Southwick and edited by Deborah Logan
Everybody loves a parade, and parades are an excellent
way to showcase your llamas and present a positive image to the public. While this sounds as though it would be so easy to just jump in and go, there are a few key factors which will make the experience far more positive for both the llamas, their handlers, and anyone who interacts with them along the way. There will be occasions where your participation is requested by a member of the parade committee or perhaps the superintendent, and there will occasions where you are seeking permission to participate. There are a few 28 Showring Magazine Spring 2013
considerations in either case • If you have been invited, make sure it is an “official” invitation and everyone knows you are coming! It is usually pretty easy to find out who is charged with the overall event coordination and give them a quick call or send an e-mail (read receipt requested) to verify plans. • Some parades have themes so if it is not plainly stated, it is worth inquiring. Also ask if there are any judging rules. Some parades have trophies for specific entries.
• Remember that many parades these days are fundraising events for various charities or perhaps even the township itself. Clarify how event fees are determined. If the initial plan is to participate as the “XY 4-H club” as well as the SSLA (for instance), that could well generate two fees. It may be that the group needs to be registered under one “banner” or the other. Then the group can determine if/how each sub-group wants to distinguish themselves (t-shirts, banners, flags, etc).
Line-up • Once you have confirmed your participation, it will be important to determine where the organizers have planned to place the llamas in the parade. The earlier you know that the better, as there are several situations which can make for a miserable experience and youwant to be able to negotiate before things are in stone. Sometimes the application will have a space to designate any “special requirements”, etc so obviously a good place to enter that info and request a call to discuss. One tip is to look on their web site (if there is one) to check out the participants in previous events. That should give you some ideas regarding what you will need to steer away from. When we neglected to realize that a small town night parade consisted of quite a number of decorated driving lawn mowers, a bit of last minute scrambling was required prior to the line-up! Considerations or placement • As far forward as you can get is best, although many parade coordinators don’t want anything that poops up in front. More in regards to that later, but the best thing
The idea here is one entry fee! • If you are submitting an application through a web site or other means, if acknowledgement is not received at least 3-4 weeks prior to the event, follow up to ensure all is in order. Sometimes “the committee” is in a quandary regarding whether llamas should participate at all – this is your chance to present your case! • If the parade is going to have an announcer then prepare a short bulleted overview of basic information. Never let them “freelance” as the last thing anyone wants to hear is “look at all those llamas and they SPIT!” Pre-Planning/Parade 29
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about being in front is the staging time is shorter, and you can actually see the parade since you can stand at the end and watch the remaining participants pass by. It also makes it far easier for the organizer to juggle the groups since we usually come up with a fair number of potential “issues” in regards to placement. Fire engines, or other safety vehicles which may turn their sirens on and off can be rather startling if they are in close proximity Llamas will often spook horses so we ask that they be separated for the safety of all participants. This is usually not an issue as most have horses near the back. The discussion needs to extend to staging locations as well to ensure they are not in close proximity there either as they will spend far longer in staging than in the actual parade! Immediately in front of the high school band is also not a great place to be – the trumpets and drums can be jarring to some llamas and they are so jumpy and nervous nobody has a good time. The aforementioned lawn mowers, the local hot rod club or even a motorcycle contingent as everybody feels compelled to repeatedly rev their engines. Most parades request that groups refrain from throwing out candy or other items but there are still some parades which allow this. If that’s the case you want to ensure some distance because if they are throwing out candy or small toys, kids run into the street from the sides, usually screaming. We participated in a large parade where a group threw out “glitter poppers”. The unexpected popping noise was quite disrupting and it was cause for worry as the animals tried to head for the hills. An unprepared handler could have easily lost control of their animal. NOTE If you are participating in a night parade for the first time, each and every one of these “got-
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chas” are enhanced and you can also add: ensure you are not positioned right behind the strobing police lights! Not only are the lights alarming to many animals but the police enjoy letting off a few periodic “whoops” as well! Parking & Staging • Depending on the size of the parade and the experience of the Coordinator, arrangements can become an interesting discussion. They need to understand that they will be “x” number of trucks/trailers that need pull through access and a bit of elbow room. Trying to navigate a parking lot full of cars without enough room to tie animals to the sides of the trailer or set up a portable pen is a disaster in the making. • Ensure you understand the route you are to take as streets are often blocked off well in advance of the parade. • Ensure you are aware if there is a charge for parking so you can be appropriately prepared. • You may have an assigned parking area but if not, it is best to get there early and stake out a place where you can establish a quiet area to prep the llamas. They draw a crowd anyway but it can be extremely distracting when you have a lot of animals to get ready. Often we ask a volunteer to do “crowd control” to keep everyone back from the animals and answer questions. It often works
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well to present one or two calmer animals to those assembled so they take the brunt of all of that and the interactions can be more easily managed. Remember that the average person is NOT livestock savvy and will approach an animal from behind to pet them or allow their children to pull the wool on their hips and back legs – all an invitation to a potential kick. Even an animal who is not prone to kicking might offer up a surprise! It is best not to allow the public to offer any treats to the llamas at any time as the last thing we want is a spitting war! Basically if the llama is comfortable then the llama walker and the crowd will enjoy the parade. Start with basics – perhaps a lightweight decorated felt “blanket”. For seasonal parades you can go to Michaels or most other craft shops and buy large decorated felt bags that can be easily sewn together at the top and arranged to hang down on each side of the animal. You can place something inside to weight them a bit at the bottom or puff them out. Some folks have sewn throw rugs together. If the llama has experience with packs, there is nothing the matter with decorating those as you can carry all sorts of snacks and drinks to make the waiting around go faster! If not using a pack saddle, make sure each costume has at least one strap to secure it – two are better (fore and aft), especially if the material is thin. That way the llama is not distracted by anything shifting or flapping on a windy day. Ensure the straps are made of something that will not catch the wool (old men’s ties are nice!) they are long enough and that wool is not being pulled or skin being pinched where they tie. Repeat that check in the staging area and during the parade route if the llama gets jumpy. If you have moved on to a more challenging costume then be sure to practice with the llama at home ahead of time. Pack saddles make a fantastic base but if that is not feasible, pool noodles come in handy when placed
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horizontally on either side to keep all weight directly off the animal's spine. Also, keep in mind anything that dangles off the costume may get tangled in the llama's wool and things dangling in front of their knees will often cause them to kick. Likewise, if you intend for them to wear a hat, be certain to practice with that as well. Velcro attachments to the halter help keep things in place but be certain any holes cut for ears do not allow the base of their ears to touch – cut extra wide so if anything shifts they won’t shake it off. If you use safety pins, position them so they will not poke the llama if they accidentally open. We often tape the ends to prevent this. When you put things on the halter keep in mind what ramifications there might be if the llama shook its head or put its head down. Not only do you want to be certain anything on the side of the halter will not whack the llama in the eyes but you also don’t want it dragged thru the poop pile when they lean down to check things out! Bag all components of a single costume together and label with the llama’s name. That way you can just hand off a bag to someone and they can get them ready. Bring a “costume emergency kit” with pins, tape, cable ties, scissors, etc. Contents will depend upon the costumes and how they are constructed. Just assume something is going to come undone! The handlers should consider layering as it can be freezing while you are standing around early in the morning but warms up considerably once the sun comes out. For really big (i.e. long) parades, we try to have at least one animal with decorated packs so we can throw all our stuff in there. Bring a container of poop to establish a poop pile Parade management If you have a large number of relatively inexperienced volunteers, while waiting in the staging area for the parade to start, go over llama safety and parade guidelines 31
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with the entire group. Remind the walkers to watch behind them, and for those following to safeguard the ones in front. People have been known to pop out of the crowd grabbing at the wool for souvenirs. The llama would bounce around and the walker would have to calm the situation. Review the parade rules which usually restrict stopping and talking to the crowd during the parade. This slows down the parade, causes gaps in the entries, and most importantly it increases the liability for the parade organizers. Encourage the group to stay together, but still maintain a reasonable distance between animals to keep llama noses out of other llama butts etc. When you have a group of llamas which contains intact males, it is a courtesy to keep the females at the back of the group. Most larger parades will police the crowds but it is always wiser to keep the animals as close to the middle of the road as possible. Less experienced animals should be bracketed by those who are calmer and more experienced. Of course familiar herd mates are preferred if possible. Remember that animals on the right side of the street are more exposed as their handler is typically on the left
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and cannot act as a buffer. Therefore calmer, more experienced animals should be placed on the right if possible. There are always llamas who want to lead the group and others more comfortable following. Sometimes during the parade the line up will rearrange itself. Unless there is some overriding reason, it is best to just let each animal find their place or you will be fighting them all the way down the street. The herd leaders should be where all the llamas from that farm can see and get signals from the leader. If there is a large group, it is a great help to have an unencumbered person following the group, as they can see any problems developing or if any of the handlers are struggling for any reason. Often we will switch off llamas to pair them up with a better match – they need to have fun too! A volunteer for poop patrol is essential. If a long parade, a decorated child’s wagon can carry a bucket so there is a ready repository. The biggest challenge is if one stops to “go” it is inevitable that a large majority of the rest will too so you may need to consider adding another volunteer for large groups. Note: Often offering up the fact that you have a designated ‘scooper” will
garner you a position closer to the front of the parade! • Not all parades make a full circle back to the beginning. Some parades walk straight away from the starting area, leaving you to find a way back through the public to the trailer. Llamas typically have about a 4 hour window of patience, then the humming and dancing begins. The sooner they can get settled back in the trailer the better, so plan your route! It is important to remind all the llama walkers in the group to stay together to help the llamas maintain herd comfort. It is considerate to stay with the group so that everyone is accounted for at the
end of the parade. • The longer the route back to the trailer the more public situations will arise as people tend to flock to them and gather around them. Tired, cranky and sometimes nervous animals are not the very best XXXXX All of this together sounds rather daunting, but it is meant to cover a wide array of situations and a lot of it is second nature once you have participated in various events. The primary objective is to think ahead so you are sure to have a good time and show the public how much fun these animals can be!
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The ALSA Board of Directors is pleased to announce the return of the Showring Magazine. The Showring Magazine will be a quarterly on line publication:
Issue Spring Summer Fall Winter
Submission Deadline February 15 May 15 August 15 November 15
Publication Date March June September December
There will only be two sizes of advertisements available. (One for individuals and one for commercial business.) For layout specifications and design please contact the editor: Ruby Herron 713-249-8523 figranch@flash.net The Showring editor and the ALSA board of directors reserve the right to refuse any ad.
ADVERTISING SPACE AVAILABLE:
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Members $25.00 per quarter
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Individual Ad Size 2” width X 3.75” height 51
Only if we can learn to work together will we realize our strength in numbers. Free your mind and think. Figment Ranch 52 Showring Magazine Spring 2013
Avantage Roger & Penny Thomas
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