Thanks to one and all...at the. Heart Of England Alpaca Fiesta

After 12 years judging alpacas all over the UK and Europe it was a real treat to judge a show in my own backyard. It meant TOFT couldn't show and I have not been able to take a detailed interest in my friends alpacas since last summer but it was worth it for the fun we had this weekend. I loved every second of it from start to finish. Not only the challenge of the judging but also the pleasure of being amongst friends who all speak English and get your jokes. It's fun in Europe too but it's great when you all. Get the funnies straight away. It was a blast!

I thank Lulu Oliver of Lusi Alpacas for inviting me and  for organising a real professional event with a great atmosphere that will only get better as it settles I to its new home. I thank Liz Barlow for her work as  chief steward, my wife Shirley for show secretary and Jo Bridge of Windy Ridge and Viv Cook of Oakton Alpacas who combined a day each as my apprentice with the alternate day as Ring steward. This worked real well and I was very impressed with both my apprentices and wish them well as they go onto gather more experience before certification. I feel if they go to approach their learning  with the confidence they showed this weekend they will go on to make a real contribution in years to come.

A huge thanks to all those white coated stewards who hustled and bustled to keep the wheels running and didn't get in the limelight. We know who you are and what you do and we thank  you all.

The Alpacas were superb throughout and the competition fierce in coloureds as well as whites. The supreme champion Huacaya went to an intermediate white  Huacaya from Ashwood Alpacas who has a handle like melted white chocolate on an extremely bright, dense well organised fleece exhibiting a good uniformity throughout the blanket and between primary and secondary fibres.

 However there were signs that a change might now be blowing through the alpaca shed with a couple of signature fleeces emerging on two  of the juniors that may be signalling the next stage of development.  

The judges choice went to a young Junior White from Houghton Hall alpacas which was as bright as a lighthouse, extremely well organised in a floppy style with density to die for in its staples whose amplitude was seriously impressive. It was very close but the young lady took it on the day however this boy will be one to watch if he grows to his full potential. Likewise there was a small light junior alpaca from Furze Park Alpacas in the ring which exhibited similar qualities but unfortunately it needed to eat more pies to get in contention. 

It's going to get very exciting in years to come if we see this amount of luxury emerging and unbelievable if we can manage to get it to stay that way for ten years. Scnuzzle? You'll want to Scnuzzle , Wuzzle and stroke your alpacas all day long if we get that good. that's of course if Scnuzzling is still legal by then!

Thanks for inviting me to judge, thanks for entering, thanks for your patience and humour and I hope you all have a wonderful birthing season that lives up to your expectations...you wish!  Have a great summer! The judge.

Me kids done great....British Alpaca Futurity 2015

Well didn't they all do well ? Not only the TOFT Tulley clan but also the extended Tulley rellies from the client herds. We personally took 13 alpacas, 12 of which were LAVENDER PARK TULLEY offspring and one Barrabinda Flinders Star of TOFT entered by Arre alpacas. 12 of the Tulley babes got rosettes and one magnificent broad ribbon Championship to add to the one they achieved at the National Show.

He may not have won but his kids did him proud and gave it a good go..

The TULLEY gang's elite results...

TOFT Timogen excelled with first in Intermediate Brown Huacaya and Brown Huacaya Champion in both fleece and halter.

TOFT Taipan achieved second in the Huacaya Intermediate Male Brown

TOFT Tamburlaine achieved third in the  Huacaya Junior Male Fawn class

TOFT Toranaga achieved fourth in the  Huacaya Junior Male Fawn class.

TOFT Matilda achieved third in the Huacaya Intermediate female Brown class

TOFT Manilla achieved third in the Huacaya Junior Female fawn class.

Inca alpacas Instrumental achieved third in the Huacaya Junior Male Brown class.

Ashwood alpacas Inferno achieved sixth in the Huacaya  Junior Male Fawn class.

Top Alpacas Daisy achieved sixth in the Huacaya Junior Female Light class.

Du Prem alpacas Lavender Adonis achieved sixth in the Huacaya Intermediate Male Fawn class.

Du Prem alpacas Lavender Autumn Beauty achieved first in the Huacaya Junior Female Brown class

Ashcroft alpacas Zahia achieved fourth in the Huacaya Junior Female Brown class.

Ashcroft alpacas Zinnia achieved second in year Huacaya Intermediate female white class.

Ashcroft alpacas Zoraida achieved fourth in the Huacaya Junior Female Light Class

Only one of the kids entered in the show didn't get a rosette but the consolation is they did at the Nationals. Hey oh, that's show business! Didn't stop them joining in the celebrations with the winners on the way home.

Congratulations to all the Tulley gang and their rellies for a magnificent showing in the British Alpaca Futurity 2015. If anyone wants to join the Gang for next year then please book in for services with TOFT as soon as you have decided because he already has a busy schedule ahead of him.

'I'm real proud of every single one of my boys and girls... I loves em to bits...'  -Lavender Park Tulley

And a very special mention for Keith and Yvonne Lovering of Arre alpacas who with their young white Barrabinda Flinders Star male Alfredo achieved a competitive sixth in the junior male white class.. congratulations!

And ... What's more here is Mr Ben Harford of Ashcroft Alpacas actually smiling.

And here is Daimen of Du Prem glowing in the limelight without singing..