Well we had another long day yesterday. Though we did not show a single animal, we spent lots of time watching our friends in various events. We also went to all the shops and stalls to meet people and learn more about the industry. It's obvious that there is lots we just do not know.
The alpacas are odd in that we had to spend some time yesterday cleaning them up just a bit. Mainly just removing droppings that are not supposed to be on them. They keep laying right in the stuff they put on the floor making us do that over and over again. I'd think they would quit doing that since they hate getting cleaned off.
Well we are all a bit tired, but ready for today. Wish us luck in our first showing! Oh, we did catch a huge break, none of our boys are in the same groupings so they do not have to immediately compete against eachother. In the even that we get any 1st or 2nds then we have a chance they could meet up in the color champion round.
Off to the show!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
When is a vacation day not a vacation?
Well the day has finally arrived. We are now officially checked in to the Fort Wayne Alapaca show for this weekend. We learned much about what you get, need to take and so on. It was a very long day but well worth it and overall a good experience.
We have purchased fans, which I still do not quit understand why only the huacaya need it but we have them now. Just a heads up to any other Noobs out there, you should make sure you have an extention cord. My 12 foot actually worked out just fine though I had several other size I could have taken. You may want various additional parts like the ability to split the power 3 ways.
After much review all of our boys did come back in the white class... ...I'm not sure if this is good or bad really. On the bad side we have 3 males, all juvi males, so they could all end up against each other. We had some people give us opinions of the boys and really in the end I am very happy with the outcome of that. I have always been a bit worried about Coronado due to not having a lot of noticable crimp as well as lacking bundling, but I was told that we will not know for sure until after his first cut. Of the 3, he was said to have the finest hair. Odyssey has been given many thumbs up because he has crimp like no ones business and he has lots of luster on his fur. He is fairly dense, but pails in comparison to Alexander. In the end Alexander and Oddysey have a better chance of placing this time around based on the opinions we have got but all 3 boys look to have a fair enough future in front of them.
In the end, I'm overall excited for the weekend no matter the outcome. We will be learning and positioning for the future. I hope we can walk away with a few notches under the belt on understanding shows, alpacas, judging, competition, etc... Wish us luck and more importantly, fun!
We have purchased fans, which I still do not quit understand why only the huacaya need it but we have them now. Just a heads up to any other Noobs out there, you should make sure you have an extention cord. My 12 foot actually worked out just fine though I had several other size I could have taken. You may want various additional parts like the ability to split the power 3 ways.
After much review all of our boys did come back in the white class... ...I'm not sure if this is good or bad really. On the bad side we have 3 males, all juvi males, so they could all end up against each other. We had some people give us opinions of the boys and really in the end I am very happy with the outcome of that. I have always been a bit worried about Coronado due to not having a lot of noticable crimp as well as lacking bundling, but I was told that we will not know for sure until after his first cut. Of the 3, he was said to have the finest hair. Odyssey has been given many thumbs up because he has crimp like no ones business and he has lots of luster on his fur. He is fairly dense, but pails in comparison to Alexander. In the end Alexander and Oddysey have a better chance of placing this time around based on the opinions we have got but all 3 boys look to have a fair enough future in front of them.
In the end, I'm overall excited for the weekend no matter the outcome. We will be learning and positioning for the future. I hope we can walk away with a few notches under the belt on understanding shows, alpacas, judging, competition, etc... Wish us luck and more importantly, fun!
Friday, March 27, 2009
1 Week!
Well we have 1 week left before the Fort Wayne show. It is going to be interesting. I sure hope we have 1 that places in something! I'm really interested to see if they stay in the color selections we sent them in as because to me they all look white. We did the forms based on the ARI color.
All of our boys are ready to go for the show. Well, considering we did not attempt the skilled/showmanship events. We are really hoping to show for the quality of the animals, not really try the tricks, jumping and other things like that.
We had a last minute scare with paperwork on one of the boys and I want to think Roxanne, owner of Lands End for helping us try to get the information we needed together. I also want to thank Bret and Erica at WRF for the care they have given our animals and making sure we have what we need for the upcoming show.
Wish us luck!
All of our boys are ready to go for the show. Well, considering we did not attempt the skilled/showmanship events. We are really hoping to show for the quality of the animals, not really try the tricks, jumping and other things like that.
We had a last minute scare with paperwork on one of the boys and I want to think Roxanne, owner of Lands End for helping us try to get the information we needed together. I also want to thank Bret and Erica at WRF for the care they have given our animals and making sure we have what we need for the upcoming show.
Wish us luck!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
We are official!
Lots of things occurred this past weekend.
First, we are an official AOBA member farm now. "Shadyside Alpaca Farm" is the official name of our farm. The farm name comes from the name the farm has had since it was started by my wifes family over 120 years ago. Well without the alpaca part anyway. We are happy to be continuing in the tradition of keeping live stock as well as using the farms name.
Secondly, the boys are officially registered into the Fort Wayne show next month. This was a joy, not really, but it had to be done. A special note for those of you who might be new or do not pay attention, you can save a little money by getting in early! Anway, we have all the paper work done and the money sent for the show. Now only time will tell how things will go.
Last night was just another night of training but it was a good one. I took the 3 girls up and we are now constantly taking time to walk the alpacas, put them in lines, stand them side by side, showing teeth and playing judge each time we go. It really is amazing just how smart they are.
A special note to Roxanne, the boys are all doing GREAT! Coronado is probably the second best at dealing with everything now. Alexander is still the best but actually does not take the "judging" things as well as Coronado. Oddyssey is hit or miss and decides what he wants to do and how easily he wants to do it. However, considering that they are not supposed to be "pets" they are all pretty easy to deal with as things could be going.
Well, I have to get the new pics up on here, but that is for another time.
First, we are an official AOBA member farm now. "Shadyside Alpaca Farm" is the official name of our farm. The farm name comes from the name the farm has had since it was started by my wifes family over 120 years ago. Well without the alpaca part anyway. We are happy to be continuing in the tradition of keeping live stock as well as using the farms name.
Secondly, the boys are officially registered into the Fort Wayne show next month. This was a joy, not really, but it had to be done. A special note for those of you who might be new or do not pay attention, you can save a little money by getting in early! Anway, we have all the paper work done and the money sent for the show. Now only time will tell how things will go.
Last night was just another night of training but it was a good one. I took the 3 girls up and we are now constantly taking time to walk the alpacas, put them in lines, stand them side by side, showing teeth and playing judge each time we go. It really is amazing just how smart they are.
A special note to Roxanne, the boys are all doing GREAT! Coronado is probably the second best at dealing with everything now. Alexander is still the best but actually does not take the "judging" things as well as Coronado. Oddyssey is hit or miss and decides what he wants to do and how easily he wants to do it. However, considering that they are not supposed to be "pets" they are all pretty easy to deal with as things could be going.
Well, I have to get the new pics up on here, but that is for another time.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Learning to Lead
We have gotten our routine down to a pattern now of when we can go to visit our precious little boys so that the training can really get underway. We go every weekend and twice during the week. As Mike had said earlier, the training for Alexander is pretty non-required, it is more for getting Ashley used to what will be required of her in the show ring and how she needs to control the animal rather than vice versa. That is something that all three of the girls are working on right now...learning how to take the lead.
Oddyssey is a lot like Alexander in that Alli can walk up to him and put his halter on by herself and start working with him, leading him, trying to get him to take her directions, but every now and then you just see the ornery in his eye and he decides to take her for a run...we can't help but laugh.
Coronado, for never having been away from his momma until we brought him home with us is proving to be a wonderful spirit. Haleigh still needs help with getting him haltered but once we have the gear on him, she can lead him where she wants him to go.
The girls and boys are making a fantastic effort at learning something new. It is really fun to watch and help. I think we would all agree that the most rewarding part is that all three of the boys now trust us enough to come up and eat grain directly out of our hands.
Oddyssey is a lot like Alexander in that Alli can walk up to him and put his halter on by herself and start working with him, leading him, trying to get him to take her directions, but every now and then you just see the ornery in his eye and he decides to take her for a run...we can't help but laugh.
Coronado, for never having been away from his momma until we brought him home with us is proving to be a wonderful spirit. Haleigh still needs help with getting him haltered but once we have the gear on him, she can lead him where she wants him to go.
The girls and boys are making a fantastic effort at learning something new. It is really fun to watch and help. I think we would all agree that the most rewarding part is that all three of the boys now trust us enough to come up and eat grain directly out of our hands.
Friday, January 30, 2009
And they are now here!
Well this posting is a little delayed but we do now have the boys local. Infact, we drove to get them last Sunday. We had some issues with the trailer and almost did not get them but we later found that we could use my covered truck bed to transport them. We have a great picture of the 3 boys when we arrived.
The boys are all in what seems to be great health. They also all have very good personalities. Our halter training is almost non-required on Alexander and Oddysey but there is some work to be done on Coronado. Though they have all been through a lot. I did want to thank Roxanne of Lands End and the owners of Alpha Omega Alpaca Farm for the care they have given the boys.
To continue on with our learning process, Michelle has actually already become a shot giving pro. I am a bit worried about doing it. I have never worked in fields like that and so I am worried I'll do it wrong and hurt one of them. I'll have to get over it some day though.
As it stands today, we will most likely visit them a couple times over the weekend and will continue to work on our halter training. Which is for us as much or more than the alpacas. We will try to help out with some of the chores at the farm. We get to introduce them to Michelle's parents this weekend too!
The boys will be seperate from the other alpacas for another week or a little longer while they adjust and we watch them for any issues.
The boys are all in what seems to be great health. They also all have very good personalities. Our halter training is almost non-required on Alexander and Oddysey but there is some work to be done on Coronado. Though they have all been through a lot. I did want to thank Roxanne of Lands End and the owners of Alpha Omega Alpaca Farm for the care they have given the boys.
To continue on with our learning process, Michelle has actually already become a shot giving pro. I am a bit worried about doing it. I have never worked in fields like that and so I am worried I'll do it wrong and hurt one of them. I'll have to get over it some day though.
As it stands today, we will most likely visit them a couple times over the weekend and will continue to work on our halter training. Which is for us as much or more than the alpacas. We will try to help out with some of the chores at the farm. We get to introduce them to Michelle's parents this weekend too!
The boys will be seperate from the other alpacas for another week or a little longer while they adjust and we watch them for any issues.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
The money is as good as spent!
Well, yesterday I mailed in the last payment for our three boys so we are officially alpaca owners. We hope to get them local in a couple weeks and then to our house in March some time.
I did pick up a trailer hitch for my truck today, so one more thing out of the way that I needed.
I did pick up a trailer hitch for my truck today, so one more thing out of the way that I needed.
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