Since I am always posting photos of our beautiful alpacas, I am often asked why we don’t take them to shows. So since you asked, I’ll tell you.
#1 I never enjoyed it. We used to show and we have blue and purple ribbons to prove it. But I never thought it was fun, too many egos, too much pressure, it’s not part of the relaxing lifestyle I enjoy.
#2 It stresses the animals, and my number one herd health rule is NO STRESS.
#3 There are fewer and fewer shows each year, and not one in Utah. Travel = more expense and more stress on the animals.
#4 It’s expensive. If we do something at Blue Moon it must make economic sense. Showing for us doesn’t. Our animal sales are good and our customers know where to find us.
#5 A very small percentage of alpacas ever get into the show ring. So the ribbons mean less and less to me.
#6 One blue ribbon winning female that we bought turned out to be infertile. I have two Blue Ribbon males that I have gelded because they didn’t measure up to what I wanted in a breeding male.
#7 Most of our animals are sold from farm visits and that is the way we like it.
#8 Over the years we have established a reputation of selling high quality animals and our customers are our best referrers.
#9 If you like to show and can afford it, I am happy for you. If you buy alpacas from us and show them I will cheer for you as you win. I will show our animals in the pastures where there is no stress for anyone. Everyone needs to do what works for them and this is what works for me.
“Nowadays, people are so jeezled up. If they took some chamomile tea and spent more time rocking on the porch in the evening listening to the liquid song of the hermit thrush, they might enjoy life more.”
~ Tasha Tudor