Llamas

GENERAL RULES

1. All llamas and alpacas must be enrolled on the online animal enrollment system by May 15 to be eligible to participate in the county fair and the Indiana State Fair Llama and Alpaca Show. This animal may not be dual enrolled by another 4-H’er.

2. Intact males must be under two years of age at fair time. No intact males will be allowed who are two years (24 mo.) of age or older at fair time—July 15 of the fair year. Males between 18 mo. and 24 mo. must be evaluated prior to show by the superintendent to judge behavior.

3. All llamas must be at least 5 months old by July 15 of the fair year. Nursing crias may not accompany dams into the show ring. Nursing mothers may not be accompanied in the ring by their babies. We recommend not showing nursing mothers.

4. Aggressive animals may be dismissed from the ring by the ring steward or the judge. Dismissal can take place even before the animal enters the ring if the matter is brought to the judge’s attention by show management, gate personnel, or the ring steward.

5. The superintendent may dismiss an exhibitor and their animal from participation in the show if the exhibitor mistreats their animal, or if their animal exhibits aggressive or unsafe behavior or if the animal is lame or sick.

6. Substitutions of the show lama will be allowed but must be approved by the superintendent in the case of illness, injury, or death of the original lama.

7. Llamas and alpacas will be shown together.

8. Health Inspections: Any animal suspected to have an illness or parasite will be evaluated and removed from the fairgrounds with approval of Exhibit Association board member, superintendent, and Extension Educator. At meetings it is at the superintendent’s discretion.

9. A llama may be owned or leased by the 4-H’er and kept on the 4-H’ers farm or animal owner’s farm. You are not required to own a lama to participate in Tippecanoe County’s Llama and Alpaca Project.

10. A llama may be shared by two 4-H’ers in different grade levels, but may be limited to two handlers.

11. 4-H member is not required to  use the same animal for all County Fair exhibition classes they participate in, but will be limited to two animals.

12. The member will respect the dignity and personality of the lama and treat it with gentle kindness.

13. Regular meetings and workshops will be offered, and additional educational outings and hikes will be offered as appropriate.

14. All 4-H’ers are expected to allocate extra time the week before and during the Fair for preparation and display of llamas.

15. Attendance and help at the clean-up, tear down, and taking home of llamas and tack after the show is required of all members. 

16. During Showmanship class, llama must be shown using a black, nylon halter. No decorated, leather, or colored halter will be allowed. 

17. If an exhibitor goes “off course” during performance classes, he/she is not eligible to place higher than a contestant who does the completed course. Therefore, when a contestant goes “off course” the points for that course are not eligible for the Grand or Reserve Grand Champion award. 

Requirements

Attend all regular Llama Project meetings, whenever possible.

Level 1—Juniors (Grades 3—5 on January 1 of current year)

1. Learn about basic llama health, nutrition, and conformation, and complete three activities in the Llama workbook. Workbooks will be turned in to Superintendent upon check-in and checked for accuracy. 

2. Train your llama in basic training techniques, including obstacle course and showmanship.

3. Attend the County Fair and do the following: Show in Showmanship, attend to all llama’s needs as scheduled, complete either llama poster or craft (to be judged pre-fair)

Level 2—Intermediate (Grades 6—8 on January 1 of current year)

1. All the requirements of a Junior plus exhibiting in Showmanship plus one other class.

Level 3—Senior (Grades 9—12 on January 1 of current year)

1. All the requirements of a Junior plus exhibiting in Showmanship plus two other classes

Classes Offered

1. Showmanship: Demonstrating to the judge your ability to dsiplay your lama to its best advantage. Judging is based on your skill in training, grooming, knowledge of lamas and their care, and following diretions, as well as style and ability in presenting your lama to the judge.

2. Freestyle Obstacle: Maneuver an obstacle course to display the working relationship and partnership with your lama.

3. Pack Obstacle: Maneuver and obstacle course with your lama to simulate packing on a trail or hike.

4. Public Relations Obstacle: Maneuver an obstacle course with your lama to simulate a parade, nursing home, or any other event that lamas may be involved in with the public.

5. Costume: Dress yourself and your lama in a costume and present a short song or written narrative. Judging is decided on creativity, originality, and how the animal tolerates its sensative areas being covered.

6. Skill-a-thon: Exhibitors are tested on general care, grooming, and herdsmanship, as well as a small class to judge on confirmation.