Mr TOFT Alpaca Judge busy at the SWAG show at the Royal Bath and West

Just had me a great two days judging halter at the South West Alpaca Group Show at the Royal Bath & West. I remember attending this show at its inception 15 years ago as an exhibitor, again the following year or so with the BAS promotional trailer when Julio Sumar judged it. I have watched it move and be developed ever since then into what is a fantastic showcase for our wonderful creatures. The alpacas now dominate one corner of the show ground. A location with immense potential for agility classes, walks , info demonstrations all sorts of Alpaca related activities to inform and entertain the public. 

We had a great crowd watching throughout. I was immensely proud of the Champion lineup in both Huacaya and Suri with some real quality alpaca livestock on display. 

Thanks to SWAG for inviting me. Thanks to Di Davies and her merry team of stewards and organise for their organisers for creating a truly memorable couple of days. Thanks to all the exhibitors for letting me judge your animals and here's wishing you a very healthy and productive season ahead.

And finally good luck to Julia Corrigan Stuart who apprenticed with me throughout. She did a great job was a pleasure to work with and I wish the very best from her judge certification later this year.

Thanks for a fabulous weekend at the Heart of England Alpaca Fiesta

Last weekend I had the privilege of judging almost 300 alpacas in the Heart Of England Alpaca Fiesta. Two full on days from 8am to 6pm with the ring full of superb Huacayas and Suris. There were some classes of clear winners but the majority were very close and the championships set a real challenge. The standard of Suris was exceptionally high despite the smallish entry. The Suri classes were interspersed with the Huacayas and for me it works great and I hope that other show organisers decide to interlay their Suri entries in the same way. It's good for the breed, good for the breeders and creates interest and promotional points for the general public and Suri breeders throughout the show. Way to go! As for the judges concentration not a problem more of a change is as god as a rest!

The champion Suri went to a superb Intermediate Light Female from Houghton Hall alpacas whose lustre shone deep and bright from a dense, fine, uniform fleece which hung in independent wafered layers like laminate. Lovely.

Mind you there is no room for  complacency in the white and lights. The traditional winners had better keep the ball moving because  the judge's choice went to a stunning Black Junior Suri from the Backyard Alpaca Company who had lustre like wet paint and a density to die for. If that alpaca grows up to fulfil its potential then we might see a bit more colour on the cup in the coming years!

BAS Foundation course...

I had a wonderful weekend at Pure Alpacas this weekend tutoring the British Alpaca Society Foundation Course alongside fellow alpaca judge Val Fullerlove. 3 full on days of alpaca assessment and we loved every minute of it.

Course was full with 12 very committed and keen alpaca breeders for the UK and Europe.  The days were filled with lots of intelligent discussion and appraisal as we assessed Form and Function, Huacaya and Suri Fibre both in the classroom and hands on with the Pure Alpaca Herd.

Handlers were a good humoured bunch, delegates open minded and keen, weather was amazing and the hosting excellent. What more could the judge tutors ask for? 

A big thanks from me and Val to all who attended, handled and hosted. Don't give your own herds too hard a time when you get back in your paddock and see you all soon...

i

Heart of England Alpaca Group Shearing and Showing Day

A terrific turnout of owners on Saturday at Toft for the Heart of England Alpaca Group Shearing and Showing day. 

 Shirley and I took members of the Heart of England Alpaca Group through an alpaca Shearing  and Showing day, focusing on preparation and organisation for shearing, skirting and sorting of Alpaca Fibre, dissecting and assimilating the practical application of the British Alpaca Society Shearing guidelines and shearing manual in relation to the realities of the UK. I know it doesn't sound like fun but it truly was. We had a lot of laughs and covered acres of  information and discussion as we shared our practical experience of the past 17 years with the attendees.

A great turnout and very reassuring to so so many new faces. Thanks for your attendance, good humour and patience and we hope you took away a lot more than you arrived with from the day and look forward to seeing you all again in future!

Honorary scrubbing up

As we finally start to bask in these glorious dry days we are having I got a phone call the other day from the BAS breed secretary asking me for a good photograph of myself for the BAS magazine. Apparently the ones they took at the National Show hadn't turned out flattering. Well that's the story of my life. On virtually  every photograph I've ever had taken I either look like 'Greengrass' or gormless. Best photos need to catch me unawares.

They wanted a photie  to commemorate me being made an Honorary Lifetime Member  of the BAS. I was officially given this honour in June 2013 for services to the society, when I finally retired from the BAS board after an amazing ten or so years. Well they finally caught up with giving it to me at the 2014 AGM, about a month ago. I have to say I was seriously touched by this award and deeply grateful to those who put it in motion.  I was also given an engraved glass bowl which shall take pride of place in the trophy cabinet.

So she who rules the roost nagged me to whip off me alpaca farmers costume and don a jacket to satisfy the brief. Shirley normally takes photos in which it is hard to spot the subject but this was pretty straightforward. Well done Whoopy Daisy ! This is about as good as it gets for me with photies. I take them real good but can't be in them. So to safeguard against any additional titivation that might occur when published I flick it out to prove that I can scrub up quite well.

Welcome to a familiar story in a new home

Glad you've arrived with me at this new location. I shall use my best endeavours to amuse with my distinctive alpaca lifestyle .