Show fun

Went to the MOPACA Invitational Alpaca Show in Kansas City, MO last weekend. I thought St. Louis weather was bad. Sheesh. It was 65 degrees on Friday when we arrived. A crazy blizzard snowstorm and down to 19 degrees on Saturday. By Sunday -- 50 degrees. What? What?

Besides the weather, the show rocked.

Deb Wellinghof was there (all the way from North Dakota) with her sister, Pat. She took notes of the winners -- and like many of us -- tried to determine who would BE the winner of each class. It's impossible.

Helen Edwards showed four of her animals and went home with two ribbons. Not bad at all.

Denise and Gary brought Cherokee Nation -- but the brushing during the year to take him to events pulled down the crimp in his fiber. He's an awesome guy -- just didn't place this year.

I took Lumina, Buddy, Mason and Eloquent Lady. Mason and Eloquent are white. BIG mistake on my part. It's extremely difficult to beat the 'big boys' in the industry in the white category. Neither placed.

I consider Lumina the best female on my farm. That was confirmed by the judge when she took second.

Then there's Buddy -- or Snowmass Bronze Dream -- as his paperwork proclaims. He is 90 months old -- around 8 years -- and was surely the oldest alpaca at the show. Judge was astonished by his age. Gary Draper showed him for me and did an excellent job. When the dust settled -- Buddy took second place. I was PROUD!

He's a consistently wonderful animal with awesome fleece -- dense and crimpy. I consider him the best on my farm. And that was confirmed by the judge.

The networking and schmoozing with other alpaca owners was tops. All in all -- a great weekend.