Fantastic BAS National Show 2014 for Toft

What a weekend. An amazing start to the Alpaca show season for Toft. We entered in total seven alpacas to the BAS National show 2014. Six were ours and one was a client's alpaca owned by Snapdragon alpacas and all of them came home with rosettes and three with broad ribbons.

Our six achieved three firsts, one second and a fifth and a sixth rosette and the lovely light fawn female from Snapdragon achieved a first in their first ever show. Wait it gets better.

Our entries then went in to achieve a Champion Ribbon and a Reserve Champion and the Snapdragon alpaca achieved a Reserve Champion in her own right. An amazing set of results for Toft Alpacas and the best thing is the alpacas were sired by three separate males- Toft Jaina, Barrbinda Finders Star and Lavender Park Tulley all of whom are resident at Toft.

Two of our alpacas were then entered into the Sires Progeny (dark) class alongside one of Ashcroft Alpacas  juniors and we brought away the winner shield for them for their stud male Lavender Park Tulley!

What a show. Our herds woman Linda was quite emotional especially when Toft. Timogen took the Brown Championship but nothing could beat the grin on Liz Davies face when she won Reserve Champion in her first show with her only entry and she only own two alpacas. She was exstatic and we were overjoyed for them both. Well done Team Toft!!

Toft Results:

Toft Timogen - first in Junior Brown Huacaya male  and Champion Brown Male

Toft Matilda- first in Junior Brown Huacaya female and Reserve Champion  Brown Female

Toft Ikrit- first in Adult Brown Male Huacaya

Toft Adele- second in Intermediate Brown Female Huacaya

Toft Stalla- fifth in Junior White Female Huacaya

Toft Gabbi-sixth in Intermediate Fawn Female Huacaya

Boots- first in Junior Light Female Huacaya and Reserve Champion Light Female for Liz and Terry Davies of Snapdragon Alpacas.

The judges were Jenny Jackson AAA judge from Banksia Park Alpacas Australia and Nick Harrington Smith BAS judge from The Alpaca Stud.

BAS National Fleece Show

Last Tuesday I had the great pleasure of judging the British Alpaca Society Naional Fleece Show 2014. 

Organised by Julia Corrigan Stuart of C S Alpacas and hosted on her farm near Aylesbury this was a master class of efficiency and organisation.

 I was judging the darks and whites with Mary Jo Smith judging the Suris, lights and Fawn.

 With about 140 fleeces to get through in total we started at the crack of sparrows and finished around 6pm with time to spare. A credit to Julia's organisation and her team of helpers who kept the process moving with their enthusiasm and sense of humour.

The standard of fleeces at the top end was very high considering that shearing does not commence for another two months and most of last years clip is now adorning someone's knitting needles!

The Supreme Champion Huacaya fleece was simply superb in its positive traits and it's consistency and with 2.8 kg of uniform fibre in dense and beautifully structured locks on the table it was a clear winner with 92 points. The alpaca was Houghton Hall Damian owned by Mick & Liz George of Houghton Hall Alpacas. 

The Supreme Champion Suri was a beautifully fine and lustrous fleece from Alpaca Stud Commander owned by Mr Nick Harrington Smith.

Congratulations to both winners and much thanks to Julia and her merry team of helpers. And thanks to Jamie Corrigan Stuart, Julia's husband for his support and generous hospitality.

I attach a picture of Houghton Hall Damian's samples- a more uniform batch I haven't seen since I judged the World Alpaca Alpaca Conference Fleece Show 2012.

The bad news is he has been sold to Norway! Tilt!

Working on the new bit....

Toft Alpacas is expanding. We've taken on another 14 acres of ground adjacent to our holding. Unfortunately it hasn't had a lot on it in the past eight years we know of. Which means there is hardly a fence worth having and the hedges are ten yards into the paddocks at some point. 

 After a reasonable week last week the cutting back of hedges has another couple of days to run before we get it Ll cut back to the old fenceline. Then of course there's the fencing to replace.  Paul Beswick of  Du Prem came over yesterday to give me hand fencing in some waste ground in one of the paddocks. The upside is we got what needed to be done, done. The downside is there's about another 20 days of fencing to accomplish. At least Mr Beswick has plenty of stamina. We were still at it as the light came down. Well, what else is a boy up do on his days  off? 

Thanks, I really needed this...

Best laid plans... There I was just getting my schedule sorted for the weekend when the weather God obviously decided I didn't have enough to do and drops three tons of wood onto the bridle way. 

Not only is it in the way of those horsey types who come through on a weekend it's also smashed through 30 yards of stock fence. 

So guess who will be up at the crack of sparrows with the chain saws to get the pathway clear? Hey, ho. .twas ever thus !

On the upside- at least there were no alpacas in its way!

Lord of the tractors

 Young Edward Lord is in a rush to drive methinks ! 'Won't be too long Dandad and I'll give you a hand with the alpacas. Soon as me feet touch the pedals- I'll be there!'

Already popping? This can't be right?

Will you look at this. They broke out all over the garden at the weekend. Spring is sprung and we haven't had Winter yet ! 

Whenever things like this used to happen when I was young like it raining cats and dogs on a washing day. My Grandma used to blame 'those bliddy Russians' . Why's that Grandma ? ' they've been sending those bliddy Sputniks up again our. Rob !' 

She was very well informed my Gran!

What's a boy to do with his new Hunter wellies ?

Get them washed and then go off with Dandma and Dandad to splash in the puddles!