Young handlers at the BAS National Show 2014

In a welcome break for the judging of alpacas the young handler competition was held on the Saturday lunch hour with two separate classes, one for the young uns 3-7 and another for the older handlers 8-15. 

Shirley ran the younger class and Tim Hey from Inca Alpacas the older one. 

It was refreshing to see that all of the entrants knew their way around alpacas. All competitors walked and handled with confidence and with very little prompting even the youngest managed to answer intelligent questions on alpacas. Sometimes it's the cute factor which governs the winners and I must admit it was nice to see several first prizes handed out to the under 7's but the older handlers had to strut their stuff in style and be knowledgable about alpacas and were placed accordingly. The winner in the older group was Chloe Edwards from Mulberry Alpacas.

A lovely diversion and an important one we must encourage every opportunity to get the younger generations involved in our industry and much thanks Tim and Shirley for making it enjoyable for all.

Alpaca showing Toft gets results on first day.

Great day of alpaca showing for Toft at the Heart of England Alpaca Fiesta. A massive thanks to our handlers Linda and Gemma who did a fantastic professional job of handling our Alpacas and to heir trusty helper Paul who is new to alpacas but handles them with the calmness and professionalism of a man born as a natural Alpaquero!!!
Thanks team for making us look so good and hey look at these results!

Toft Ison- 2nd in the Adult Black Male
Toft Rastaban - 2nd in the Adult Brown Male and RESERVE CHAMPION
Toft Ikrit- 4th in the Intermediate Brown Male
Toft Jedi- 3rd in the Adult Fawn Male

Toft Madysen- 1st in the Junior Fawn Female and RESERVE CHAMPION
Toft Ambria - 2nd in Intermediate Fawn Female
Toft Gabbi- 3rd in the Junior Fawn Female
Toft Adele- 2nd in the Junior Brown Female
Toft Nubia- 2nd in the Intermediate Brown Female.

A fabulous set of results for Toft Alpacas and there's the white and lights to enter today. Fingers crossed!


Much thanks to Mary Jo Smith of Bozedown alpacas for judging and awarding toft such accolades.