My Summer Vacation (1999)

by Cherry Garcia

Hi! Just in case we haven't met, I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Cherry Garcia, but my friends call me Broc. I am a 20-month old (I'm ALMOST two!) huacaya alpaca and I live with my people (Lisa and Brad) at Alpacas del Valle Cereza. My Mom is FRLA Amanda and my Dad is SA Trinidad. When I was born our herd was pretty small but since then has grown to 16 alpacas and Clem, our guard llama. Growing up here has been fun. My people have taken me with them to visit many ranches and events so actually, I'd be surprised if we haven't met.

Lisa and Brad have always been very proud of me so I really wasn't surprised when they told me we were going to enter some alpaca shows this summer. They explained that if I was going to be a famous stud someday then other people and their alpacas needed to see me. It sounded like an adventure to me so I agreed!

We decided to attend the Calpaca Alpaca Show in Napa, the AOBA National Show in Columbus Ohio, and the alpaca show at the Estes Park Wool Market in Colorado. Almost immediately Lisa began to help me prepare. We had already spent some time working on "good posture" and stacking for the showring. Those lessons continued and Lisa began to trim my coat to remove some of the fiber damaged from the winter weather. I must admit, the primping and trimming was my least favorite part of our preparations. Fortunately, Lisa discovered I would stand very still for her if she gave me a bucket of treats while she worked. Maybe it really wasn't so bad after all!

May arrived and it was time to leave for the Calpaca show. I was very happy when I learned Teak would accompany me. Teak is my companion and my "Uncle." He has taken care of me since I was born, most especially since I was weaned. There were lots of other alpacas and people at Napa and it was a little bit scary at times. All of us alpacas were a bit nervous. Brad took me for walks several times a day. Once I'd had an opportunity to see everything and meet the others I felt much more at ease.

Sunday morning finally arrived and with it my first show. Lisa and I were called to the ring with the others in my class a few minutes before it began. We weren't nervous at all (well, maybe we were a little nervous). The judge carefully watched each of the alpacas to see how we moved as we walked around. Next, we lined up in the center of the ring and the judge examined us one by one. She checked our bite, our fiber and I'm embarrassed to say, she even checked "under the hood" to make sure we had the equipment necessary for a breeding male. I really didn't like that part but Lisa put a neck hold on me to prevent me from expressing my opinion.

Apparently, the judge liked me very much because she gave me a beautiful blue ribbon and said wonderful things about me during her remarks. My people were very proud of me and pleased the judge liked me as much as they did. It was very flattering. Best of all, Lisa and Brad gave me a great big bucket of treats to celebrate. I decided showing was pretty darned fun!

The next show was in Columbus, Ohio so Lisa and Brad sent me home with Jan Davis who lives at Derwydd Vineyard & Alpacas. I didn't like leaving Teak but making friends with Jan's boys was a lot of fun. Jan is a great cook too! I rode to the Columbus show with Jan and her family. Lisa and Brad were waiting for me when I arrived. Can you believe they wondered if I would remember them after being away from home for a month? Of course I did!

The Columbus show was very exciting and I placed forth in my class. I heard it was the largest alpaca show ever in North America. There were over 500 alpacas in attendance and LOTS of cute girls! A couple of days after the show in Columbus we drove to Colorado. I liked Estes Park even better (I won a second place ribbon) because it was much cooler there. I really appreciated the great weather because I was wearing a full fleece. After Estes Park I got to go home. It was wonderful being with my family and friends again.

I was sheared on the 4th of July weekend. What a relief it was to take off those 7 pounds of fiber! Lisa and Brad sent my fleece to the International Fleece Show hosted by the Canadian Alpaca Breeders Association. We were delighted to learn I won my class and a great red ribbon (in Canada 1st place ribbons are red!). I also won $100, and got another big bucket of treats too!

We took the rest of July and the month of August off but made plans to attend the Alpaca Breeders of Arizona show and the 1st ever alpaca show at the LA County Fair. The Arizona show was held on Labor Day weekend with the LA County Fair show following a week later. We would be very busy for the next two weeks.

Zoey (my 9 month old half sister) and Hot Locks (or new suri girl) decided to come with us to the Arizona show in Flagstaff. Neither of the girls had been "out" before. We all had a good time, although the girls were a little nervous at first. Lisa and Brad walked us all around the fair grounds and it was obvious we made a great impression on everyone. Lots of people pet us and it didn't take long for the girls to get used to the attention. Being the man of the world that I am, it was no big deal to me. Hot Locks and I each brought home blue ribbons and my kid sister Zoey won a lovely red ribbon. Not bad for a beginner!

Three days home and already it was time to leave for the LA County Fair at the Pomona fair grounds. Whew! This time I was accompanied by Zoey, Poco Brujo (my 8 month old half brother), and Blaze's Star (11 month old AVC boy). The kids were nervous but did just fine. I had a great time and got to meet lots of people and llamas too. There weren't as many alpacas at the show as we'd hoped but those who came were wonderful examples of all of what's best in us. They made their people proud.

The show was Saturday night and it didn't begin until very late because the llama show took a few hours longer than anticipated. Even though it was past our bed times we were ready to show off for the judge and the audience. All of the alpacas looked beautiful. It was an honor to be a part of such a distinguished group!

We all liked the judge and her apprentice. Although they had both been on their feet for over 12 hours they took the time to look us all over carefully. I think the judge liked us too. I saw her smile many, many times. My herd-mates and I brought home 3 blue ribbons and 2 red ones. Not bad!

When I was in the people barn the other day I couldn't help but notice the mantle. It is covered from one end to the other with our beautiful ribbons. Every time I look at them I can't help but smile and think of all the wonderful friends we made, two-legged and four-legged, at the shows this summer. I can't wait until next year. See you in the show ring!

Last Modified: July 15, 2005, 11:19 pm