Pre-Show

Pre-Show Llama Preparation

Niki Kuklenski

Getting Ready

As many of you prepare for your first llama show experience, there are a few things that will help you to be prepared for the big day!

What do I wear?

Llama showing etiquette calls for subdued colors (Blacks, Browns or White). The idea is to not detract from your animal, which for people that have shown horses is the opposite. The handler should wear black or brown slacks and a blouse that is in this shade range. A simple vest, blazer or sweater of these neutral shades may be added. The handler may choose to wear gloves, it is not a requirement, but it does look nice. Boots or some other closed toed shoe is appropriate for the handler to wear. If you have long hair, you should put it up as many judges like the entry number on your back. Keep your jewelry simple and not overdone, again you don't want to draw attention from the animal.

How do I prepare my animal for the ring?

Do not wait until the week of the show to halter break your animal. Many people do not realize that when you show an animal that is not used to being led, they walk very different and 99% of the time it will cost you the class. Walk with your animal many times before the show. Teach them to walk on a loose lead at a brisk pace next to your shoulder. This is called "moving out" and it makes your animal move a lot more naturally. Touch your animal all over to get them used to being touched before the judge tries. If a judge cannot get their hands on your animal, they may not be able to evaluate it for placings. Work with your animal on "squaring-up." This is the stance your llama should assume whenever the judge asks you to stop. "Squaring up" refers to the placement of the llama’s four legs. The two front legs should be together from the side view and from the front view they should have adequate spacing with their toes facing straight ahead. The rear legs should also be together from a side view and from the rear they should spaced slightly apart and be perpendicular to the llama’s body.

How do I groom my llama?

Some llama people will go to almost any lengths to clean or hide things. There are tons of grooming secrets, many of which I would not encourage you to do. Start at least one month prior to the show so as to not stress the llama to the point you cannot show them. I recommend a good bath with a Supergroomer ^®(fits on the end of a garden hose) and Cowboy Magic. Use QuickSilver on white llamas. Following this I would blow Show Sheen into the llama’s wool. This gives the llama a conditioning treatment and helps to repel dirt. If the llama has matted wool I recommend using a slicker brush to get them out. Pin Brushes work well on neck debris and may be used to brush an unmatted llama. If it is not too cold, I like to shear the llama enhancing the llama’s positive features (for example, you would never want to do a full body shear on a long backed llama). My favorite clippers are the Lister Showman^® as I can do almost any style of cut with them. Make sure your llama is very clean or you will wear the blades and motor out quickly.

What do I do the day of the show?

On the day of the show I would recommend going over the job you have already done with a finishing slicker (turquoise and white brush) and lightly wetting the llama down with Show Sheen (Ed. Note: Some judges do NOT like the feel imparted to the fiber by Show Sheen). For a finishing touch I like to use black or clear hoof polish on the llama’s toenails. If you have a llama with dirty white knees or a graying black llama, you can use Magic Black or Magic White for touch ups. Just before going into the ring, you may use a light coat of Static Guard (yes the clothing stuff) to keep the llama’s wool from flying up. For an added touch you may decide to use a leather show halter, but that is not a requirement. A clean, neutral colored lead and halter are fine to use.

What do I do in the show ring?

The key to showing a llama in halter is to make sure you are paying attention to the judge at all times. You also want to make sure you don't block the judge’s view of your animal. If the judge is in front of the halter class you want to stay on the opposite side of the llama’s head (you only move from side to side by the llamas head without changing hands on the lead. The hands should always be; right hand by the head and left hand holding the excess lead). So if the judge stands to the left of the line you should be standing to the llama’s right side (facing the llama). If the judge is walking behind the line you should be on the same side. So if the judge were behind the line on the left, you would be to the left of the llama’s head. If the judge walks around your llama individually, you want to keep one quarter away from the judge (visually split your llama in half through the middle from head to tail and around the girth area, thus giving you four quarters). If the judge is on the front left quarter you would want to be in the front right quarter. If the judge is on the back left quarter you would want to be on the left front side (or quarter). If the judge moves to the right front, you switch back to the left front side (or quarter). It sounds very confusing, but if you always remember you want to stand in the area that does not block the judge’s view of your animal, you will be okay!

In summation

Work with your animal for at least a month prior to the show. Practice how you will groom them for the show and work on touching them and walking with them. Make sure you dress conservatively and in a manner that accentuates your llama. The information written here is just my opinion and what has worked for me. You may discover your own shortcuts or tidbits on grooming. For your convenience the items discussed are available in the Llamas and More catalog. This is where I order all my products.

About the Author

Niki Anderson Kuklenski has been involved with llamas for over 20 years. During that time she has been both a 4-H member (first in Washington State) and leader of her own group which had 20+ kids. She judges for other 4-H members at their local fairs during the summer. Niki and Jeff pack and drive for pleasure around the Western United States. Additionally, they volunteer their time to educate and work with rescue situations.

Niki and Jeff have their own small herd of llamas (woolley and classic) that they compete with in shows around the United States. Their male "Isle Eagle" is the most ALSA award winning llama in Washington State. He holds Recognitions of Merit in Halter, Packing, Obstacle, Public Relations and Driving. He is an ALSA Performance and Halter Champion and the only ALSA Grand Champion in the State of Washington. Eagle holds the ALSA Get of Sire Champion too. In 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2006 he won the ALSA National Driving Classes and in 2001 and 2003 he won the ALSA National Public Relations Class. That same year he was the ALSA National Performance Champion after winning the driving, public relations classes and taking a second in the obstacle class. In 2006 he won the Adult Medium Wool Male class also. Eagle is an ALSA Breeder Elite, and with over 700+ ALSA points he is the most award winning llama in the Nation. He is also a PLTA certified Master Packer and Delta Society Pet Therapy Partner. Their Gelding Dazador is an ALSA Non-Breeder Elite and holds ROM’s in PR, Pack, Obstacle and Halter. He also is an ALSA Performance and Grand Champion. Another male named Marisco is an ALSA Halter Champion and certified through Delta Society for Pet Therapy also. Their third male who is classic is named Anders Tobias. He is PLTA certified as a Master Packer and is an ALSA halter champion also.

Niki is a member or ALSA (Alpaca Llama Show Association), SWLA (Southwest Washington Llama Association), LRN (Llama Rescue Net), Delta Society Pet Therapy and several organizations. Niki recently rewrote the criteria for evaluating lama pet partners for the Delta Society pet therapy program. She is a level halter judge and Senior level performance judge for ALSA. Niki writes for Llama Banner, Backcountry Llama, American Livestock and a few other smaller publications. Much of Niki's time is spent educating people on llamas and basic care. She also started a llama chatlist called "Llama Info" to help new people learn how to take care of their llamas. Niki organizes local vet information days and gelding days where people can take advantage of a group rate for getting their llamas gelded. Niki was a full time alternative high school teacher, teaching Agricultural Science among many other things. Currently she is a substitute teacher at a local high school.

For more information about Niki or her farm, please go to:

http://www.nas.com/~jnkllamas or e-mail her at jnkllamas@nas.com