What do you do at a show?

We are asked this so many times, so we’d like to answer this question here.  The llama shows are fun and a great way to show off our animals.  (Not to mention meeting up with all of the friends we’ve met throughout the years.)

There are 2-types of showing Halter and Performance.  We’ll start with the halter classes.

Halter- (Or as we sometimes like to refer to it, as the “Beauty Pageant” of the show) is where the llama is judged on many different things having to do with its conformation.  The judge will look to see if the llama is symmetrical, well balanced, and proportioned for its age.  It should carry its head proudly and alertly.  It should exhibit a strong, straight back with a high tail set.  When walking, all limbs should move freely and smoothly in a correctly aligned pattern.  The llama’s fiber (hair/ wool) should exhibit healthy condition, uniformity, fineness and density.  They will look to see if the outside reproductive organs are uniform in size and placement.  The llama should have “eye appeal” which can be its showing style, presence, and wool coverage.  A pleasant disposition and tolerant demeanor is highly desirable.

There are different classes in halter.  Each class is broken down by:

1. The 2-sexes, Intact- (non-gelded) males and breeding females

2. The wool divisions:

    A. light wool

    B. medium wool

    C. heavy wool

3. The age groups

     A. juvenile- llamas 5 months through 12 months

     B. yearlings- llamas one year to 24 months

     C. Two-Year-Olds- 25 months through 36 months

     D. Adult- 37 months and older  

The non-breeding llamas do not have wool or sex divisions, but are divided by the same age groups.

Each llama will compete in its appropriate class (i.e. light-wool, 2 year-old, male or heavy wool, juvenile, female) and will either be placed in the 1^st through 7^th place or be dismissed from the class. 

After all of the age groups for the wool division have competed (i.e. heavy wool males or light-wool females), the llamas that place first and second in their class, will re-compete against each other to see who is the Grand Champion (1^st place llama for that wool and sex division) and Reserve Champion (The 2^nd place llama for that wool and sex division). 

...on to the Performance Classes...

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