VIDEO: First llama and alpaca show draws eight participants

Sunday, July 19, 2015
Matthew Perkins was the only participant to show a llama at Sunday's llama and alpaca show. He and Flower made their way through the obstacle course with a champion distinction out of both the llama and alpaca presentations. (Banner Graphic/Sabrina Westfall)

The first ever llama and alpaca show at the Putnam County 4-H Fair featured eight participants and their furry companions.

One alpaca was shown during the inaugural costume class. Megan Earley and alpaca Bindi were the sole participants in the contest.

Earley was dressed as a jockey with Bindi saddled up.

Justice Stevens and Monarch came out on top after winning grand champion in the alpaca category Sunday. Stevens said this was her first year working with the alpaca. (Banner Graphic/Sabrina Westfall)

Following the costume contest, seven participants showed their animals and then competed in an obstacle course.

Justice Stevens, 10, and Monarch won the title of Grand Champion for the alpaca show. She is the daughter of Marlena Stevens of Belle Union.

Stevens said this is the first time working with an alpaca and was surprised she came out on top of the contest.

One alpaca was shown during the inaugural costume class. Megan Earley and alpaca Bindi were the sole participants in the contest. (Banner Graphic/SABRINA WESTFALL)

"Monarch was a little freaked out when we first came out of the barn, but she did good," Stevens said.

She first became interested in alpacas when visiting the farm of Cindy Anderson for a daycare field trip when she was younger, although, she is unsure if she will continue working with the animal in the future.

She leased the alpaca from Anderson's farm.

The sole llama presenter, nine-year-old Matthew Perkins, became the first Grand Champion for the llama show with the presentation of Flower. He is the son of Rian and Heather Perkins, of Greencastle.

Perkins said he has been working with the llamas for about two years. He received two llamas from a cousin and fell in love the creatures.

He said he was surprised he did so well and enjoyed the competition. In order to prepare for the contest, he groomed Flower and walked her frequently to keep her from getting stiff.

Perkins was also named the champion in the obstacle and showing divisions.

Stevens was named reserve grand champion for the obstacle division.

Audrie Fulkerson, with alpaca Charlotte, was named reserve champion in the showmanship division. She is the daughter of Kim and Chris Fulkerson.

Judge Julie Schmidt explained the showmanship aspect of the presentation was judged on the agility of the animal, fluidity of the handler and how the lead is being held. She added each animal should be able to be touched by patrons.

"The key is to have the handler get the animal controlled and precise," Schmidt said.

Anderson and said she is excited to offer llamas and alpacas as a 4-H project again next year. If anyone already has a llama or alpaca, they can sign up next year for the project.

Anyone interested in showing one of the animals is encouraged to reach out to the department to learn about leasing an animal for next year's show.

Most of the alpacas presented Sunday were leased through Anderson's farm. She has 16 alpacas on the farm and others have offered to lease their animals in the future as well.

Megan and Kristen Earley have alpacas on their own farm.

To learn more about the llama and alpaca department, search the Putnam County Extension office's website at www.extension.purdue.edu/Putnam.

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