Bucks County 4-H alpaca members have success on show circuit

The 4-H alpaca club, Bucks County Pronking Pacas, of Harley Hill Farm in Quakertown, recently attended two competitions.

The Pennsylvania Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (PAOBA) Showcase was held in Harrisburg March 31-April 2 and the Mid-Atlantic Alpaca Association (MAPACA) Jubilee was held in Westminster, Md., April 15-16.

Members participated in competitions in showmanship, obstacles and public relations.

Alpaca showmanship classes are like other animal shows in that the handlers scored on how well they knew and showed the animal. The obstacle event demonstrates the alpaca’s ability and willingness to accept training and work with its handler through obstacles. The obstacle course had participants leading their alpacas through challenges, including a jump, a see-saw, running to a stop, jumps and weaving through cones. Public relations is an obstacle course with people or everyday items used as part of the obstacle. For example, a person petting the alpaca or a crowd making a noise.

The club brought home multiple first place, second place, grand champion, reserve champion and master showman ribbons and many other ribbons from both shows.

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