Alpacas make their debut at the Chenango County Fair
NORWICH – This week, the show rings at the Chenango County Fair grounds have seen all manner of cattle, goats, poultry and other livestock paraded for the judge’s approval. This weekend, however, another breed of animal will make its debut: alpacas.
According to Show Superintendent Brenda Thall, more than 90 animals from 29 farms will participate in the Southern Tier Alpaca Association’s inaugural HummDinger Alpaca Show. It is the first show if its kind to take place at the Chenango County Fair.
“We’re just trying to raise awareness of alpacas in the area,” said Thall, who owns and operates Red Barn Alpacas in Norwich with her husband Mark. Alpaca farms, both large and small, have become increasingly prevalent in the area, she said, explaining that recently she did a quick internet search and located 100 such farms within a 50-mile radius of Norwich.
According to the show superintendent, the event will also give those new to the alpaca game an opportunity to have their animals professionally evaluated.
“Small shows are great for new farms,” she said. In fact, it was a similar-sized show in Weedsport which gave her and her family their first taste of competition. That was in July of 2007, only a few months after they acquired their first alpacas. They now have 29 animals at their farm on Gibbon Road in Norwich, and show their alpacas up and down the east coast.
For the Thalls, this weekend’s show will be a family event. Not only is Brenda the superintendent, but Mark will serve as announcer, and the couple’s daughter Brianna will be handling two alpacas in the show.
According to Thall, the Chenango County Agricultural Society first approached her about incorporating an alpaca show into the fair last year.
“We just didn’t have enough lead time,” she said, since it takes at least three months to have a show certified.
This year, though, they were ready and already the event is exceeding their expectations.
“We figured we’d have 40 to 50 (alpacas). We are so excited about being up to 90,” Thall said.
The animals will begin to arrive at noon today and will be both vet and color checked prior to this evening’s meet and greet. An exhibition will follow at approximately 7:30 p.m. According to Thall, this will feature costume classes with both the handler and alpaca dressed up.
The competition itself will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday with the Halter classes, where the alpaca’s “confirmation,” including their stature and teeth are judged. Typically, the animal’s fleece would also be judged, Thall said, but this time of year, the alpacas are shorn.
After lunch, the performances classes will take place, where the alpaca and their handler complete an obstacle course.
According to Thall, each event is broken into different age levels and classes, with as many as 6 places being awarded in each depending on participation.
“Join us for what is sure to be a ‘hummmm-dinger’ of a day for people of all ages, breeders of all experiences and the general public,” she said.
According to Show Superintendent Brenda Thall, more than 90 animals from 29 farms will participate in the Southern Tier Alpaca Association’s inaugural HummDinger Alpaca Show. It is the first show if its kind to take place at the Chenango County Fair.
“We’re just trying to raise awareness of alpacas in the area,” said Thall, who owns and operates Red Barn Alpacas in Norwich with her husband Mark. Alpaca farms, both large and small, have become increasingly prevalent in the area, she said, explaining that recently she did a quick internet search and located 100 such farms within a 50-mile radius of Norwich.
According to the show superintendent, the event will also give those new to the alpaca game an opportunity to have their animals professionally evaluated.
“Small shows are great for new farms,” she said. In fact, it was a similar-sized show in Weedsport which gave her and her family their first taste of competition. That was in July of 2007, only a few months after they acquired their first alpacas. They now have 29 animals at their farm on Gibbon Road in Norwich, and show their alpacas up and down the east coast.
For the Thalls, this weekend’s show will be a family event. Not only is Brenda the superintendent, but Mark will serve as announcer, and the couple’s daughter Brianna will be handling two alpacas in the show.
According to Thall, the Chenango County Agricultural Society first approached her about incorporating an alpaca show into the fair last year.
“We just didn’t have enough lead time,” she said, since it takes at least three months to have a show certified.
This year, though, they were ready and already the event is exceeding their expectations.
“We figured we’d have 40 to 50 (alpacas). We are so excited about being up to 90,” Thall said.
The animals will begin to arrive at noon today and will be both vet and color checked prior to this evening’s meet and greet. An exhibition will follow at approximately 7:30 p.m. According to Thall, this will feature costume classes with both the handler and alpaca dressed up.
The competition itself will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday with the Halter classes, where the alpaca’s “confirmation,” including their stature and teeth are judged. Typically, the animal’s fleece would also be judged, Thall said, but this time of year, the alpacas are shorn.
After lunch, the performances classes will take place, where the alpaca and their handler complete an obstacle course.
According to Thall, each event is broken into different age levels and classes, with as many as 6 places being awarded in each depending on participation.
“Join us for what is sure to be a ‘hummmm-dinger’ of a day for people of all ages, breeders of all experiences and the general public,” she said.
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