Rachel Hebditch

Mad dogs, Englishmen, a Tasmanian alpaca judge, some Belgians and Dutchmen all endured 35 degree temperatures at the Belgian Alpaca Show at Alden Biesen on July 2nd. The alpacas had awnings or some very tempting cherry trees for shade but the humans had to suffer. Show organiser Jon Peeters invited Dominic Lane, an international judge from Tasmania presently working with Bozedown Alpacas, over and although he only had a small number of alpacas and fleeces to judge, he gave the assembled breeders, who were full of enthusiasm, plenty to think about. A number of new breeders came to look and hopefully will show next year. A series of workshops is being planned at Jon Peeter’s impressive set up early next year focussing on alpaca assessment, preparing animals for the show ring and show etiquette, led by Dominic Lane and Chas Brooke of Classical MileEnd Alpacas. Supreme Champion in the fleece and halter classes was Classical MileEnd Distinction presently standing at Alpaca International in Belgium.