The Show That Keeps on Growing!
Alpaca Ontario Show 2010
2010 Show Results
Once again Ontario hosted the largest alpaca show in the country. The Alpaca Ontario Spring Show 2010 took place on April 10th
and 11th, in Orangeville, Ontario. This event just keeps getting bigger and better with each passing year. We topped the charts at
375 alpacas this year from 75 farms. Seven provinces and one territory were represented, including farms all the way from the
Northwest Territories, and British Columbia.
The Show Steering Committee has been hard at work since last November getting all the details in order for this year’s show and it has really paid off. Many of the committee members and their families were at the fairgrounds on the Thursday prior to the show getting the ball rolling. There were last minute details to take care of, displays to set up and the first round of animals arriving from out of town.
Orangeville Agricultural Society has recently added a cover-all barn to their facility to double the housing space for the alpacas. The new barn was bright and clean and a terrific addition to the show venue. With the added space we avoided any crowding and allowed for farm showcases back in the barn area alongside the alpacas. The showcases had many visitors over the 2 days and were a valuable addition to our quest for public awareness and promotion of our Canadian herd. The large screen and PA system located in the rear barn allowed for breeders and visitors to keep tabs on show progress while checking on the animals.
Friday’s check-in of show animals ran beautifully under the guiding eye of Chief Ring Steward, Nikki Sue Flannigan. With lots of volunteers out for the day there were helpers where needed and wait times were cut back for those travel weary alpacas and their owners. With everyone almost settled in by 6:30, Dr. Nancy Carr ran a brief handler’s clinic in the show ring – the do’s and do not’s of showing – truly important tips for anyone about to enter into the world of showing for the first time, and a good reminder for those who have been around a while.
A very well attended Annual General Meeting was held at 7:00 in the conference room at the Fairgrounds. It was great to see so many faces out this year, from founding members to new members of the association. Dawn Campbell walked us through Alpaca Ontario over the years and updated us on recent accomplishments. Guest speaker Nicole Marenick from the George Morris Centre shared with us some of her findings on the Canadian fibre market and where it is headed. Reminding us to work together to push the industry forward was the key point of the evening.
This year’s election saw a shift in President. Thank you to Dawn Campbell, finishing her 2 year term as the head of the association. Dawn has brought AO a long way in 2 short years and will continue to assist our board over the next 12 months. Her dedication to the Board has been greatly appreciated. Trixi Lloyd has stepped into Dawn’s shoes and plans to continue growing and improving the association with the assistance of the Directors and our various committees.
The barns were hives of activity bright and early on a very chilly Saturday morning. Fresh and nervous faces bustled about and there was an air of anticipation with a little good natured competition thrown in for good measure. There is no show crowd quite as supportive as an alpaca crowd. After breaking the ice off the water buckets it was time to head for the ring.
Our 2010 Judges were Mike Safley and Diana Timmerman. Mr. Safley comes to us from Oregon and judged the male huacaya and suri classes. Ms. Timmerman, from Colorado, judged the female huacayas and the showmanship classes. After a brief handler’s meeting with both judges in the arena, judging commenced simultaneously in two rings. Both judges kept the show flowing well with the help of their ring stewards and gate stewards over the course of the 2 days. Judge’s comments after each class helped to let handlers and spectators know what they were looking for in the ring, and what traits they most appreciated in the animals they were judging. The large screen display raised ringside above the spectator stands was a wonderful addition this year. Tracking the progress of the show was made easy for family and friends.
Showmanship being popular with the youth of the industry prompted the addition of an Obstacle Class this year. Intending to imitate objects and situations the alpacas may encounter on or off the farm, obstacles were constructed by a team of youth volunteers. Leading their alpacas through a course of 9 obstacles the youth were judged on their leading abilities, as well as the team work between animal and handler. Judge Diana Timmerman gave each handler a chance to say what they enjoyed most about the course and what they thought they should work on.
This year saw a terrific increase in youth volunteers at the show. Our youth are our future and to see their interest in this business is very encouraging. Many stepped in close to the wire to fill empty slots. There were assistant ring stewards, gate assistants, ticket sellers, and a volunteer handlers pool to act as an extra set of hands showing alpacas in the ring. They worked tirelessly and competently in all their respective areas and it was greatly appreciated by all.
The canteen and lunch counter this year were run by the Maitland District RoVents - a combined unit of Rovers and Venturers, aged 15 to 26, from a local Scout troop toiled to keep a large crowd fed and happy. Under the guidance of their advisor, a great fundraising opportunity was provided for their troop. Alpaca Ontario was happy to be able to give back to the community that allows us to continue to host our show in their backyard each Spring.
The Fibre Fantasy area was well visited over the weekend. The results of the 2010 Mary-Ann English Alpaca Ontario Spin-off Competition were displayed. A total of 74 entries were sent out to 7 spinners this year to be worked into some beautiful hand-spun skeins. A collection of 30 entries to the Fibre Arts Competition were judged on the Friday before the halter show. All items were available for public viewing and voting for the People’s Choice Awards. The entries get more inventive and professional every year – I can’t wait to see what next year may bring. The Nottawasaga Spinners and Weavers Guild were in attendance all weekend demonstrating their skills in knitting, weaving, and hand spinning. Once a dying art form, fibre arts have taken a turn and become extremely popular again as people learn more about the ecological benefits of natural fibres. Many had questions for our talented Guild members and took advantage of the relaxed atmosphere to sit and watch them work.
Vendors from all areas of Ontario filled the Exhibition Hall with their wares. The display of alpaca products for sale was impressive. The Canadian Fibre Industry seems to be making its move from cottage-craft to high class. Many took advantage of these unique products available over the weekend and had some fun browsing and shopping. From full sized household rugs, to equipment and supplies, to clothing and accessories, there was something for everyone.
Very popular once again were the free seminars offered in the corner of the Exhibition Hall. Many attended to listen and learn more about the suri and huacaya alpacas they had come to see at the show. Alpaca 101, Focus on Fibre and Getting Started aimed to cover the basics and induced many questions for our knowledgeable speakers to address. What a great introduction to the wonderful world of alpaca for those in attendance.
Congratulations go out to our top spot winners of the weekend. The 2010 Alpaca Ontario Best in Show Suri was KA Warren owned by Arden Jenkins of Koksilah Acres-Graycott Alpacas of Cobbe Hill, British Columbia. 2010 Best in Show Huacaya went to High Plains Super Sambrarro, co-owned by Rick and Evelyn Derksen of High Plains Alpacas in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and Elisabeth Fortin and Luc Pinet of AlpacAdore, of St. Chrysostome, Quebec. To take home these prestigious awards from a show of this size is quite an accomplishment. We look forward to seeing what your breeding programs will bring us in the future.
I had a virtual back-stage pass to the show this year as I held a position on the Show Steering Committee. It has been a learning experience to say the least. The amount of leg work that goes into a show of this size is really rather daunting once you have seen the big picture. Many hours on the telephone, many inquiries, lots of discussion, lots of emails, number crunching, program building, and the list goes on. What makes all the difference is having a terrific committee of dedicated members. “Many hands make light work” is a saying that has crossed my mind more than a few times in the last 6 months. I have been privileged to be a part of that team this year, and I encourage you to find your niche and do the same. Get out there and volunteer, because after all this is your association and …The Show Must Go On!
Thank you to all of this year’s show sponsors and supporters. It is a pleasure to bring you a top notch show when it is so greatly appreciated. Thanks to all of our 2010 volunteers and committees for all of your hard work and dedication – we couldn’t have done it without you.
Hope to see you out April 9th and 10th 2011, at the Orangeville Fairgrounds as Alpaca Ontario celebrates our 10th Anniversary.