Heart of England Alpaca Fiesta 2016

Popped into  the Heart of England Alpaca Fiesta yesterday at the Bury Farm Equestrian centre, Slapton near Leighton Buzzard.  Always amazed to think back to 2000 when we managed about 48 entries in the first BAS Alpaca Show at Purston Manor Brackley. Some exhibitors actually carried their alpacas into the ring to be judged and carried them out again. At that time there were less than 2500 alpacas in the country and halter training was in its infancy. The learning curve had only just begun. 

16 years later and the Heart of England Fiesta attains over 300 entries 24 hours after they opened for bookings.

 I think it's now safe to say as we approach our twentieth year of breeding alpacas that our South American friends have secured a permanent presence in the Agricultural landscape of the U.K. All we have to do now over the next 20 years is start to move to a more commercial fleece producing operation to add real value for the breeders to this magnificent fibre. Onwards and upwards!

Judge Gorn fishing ....

Relaxing day today after a fantastic weekend judging close on 300 alpacas at the Heart of England Alpaca Fiesta at  Bury Farm near Leighton Buzzard. More on that tomorrow when I can keep my eyes open. 

The Judge took a relaxer today to recharge and went  fishing with young Lordy in the garden pond for wrigglies. We have to make the most of the wrigglies and pond life because the smallest fish in the pond are Koi Carp and weigh about six pounds each. You don't need a net you need a harpoon. I believe the Koi are responsible for the lack of little fish- cannibals one and all. Regardless of the brutality of the fish world we had a great hour searching for whales and throwing stones in the pond. A blissful end to a great weekend and I saw not one alpaca all day. Tomorrow we get back to business at TOFT Alpaca Stud.