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Llamas at the Fair 2007 Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival By Meagan Browne-Age 14 Golden Browne Llamas
My family and I went to the Riverside County Fair 2007 to show our llamas, and I think it was the best show ever. The weather was nice, which was an improvement from last year, and plenty of people learned lots about llamas.
We took four of our llamas, Checkers (of course), Bopper (an adorable though unrelated mini-Checkers), Chay, (a little weanling girl), and Jigs, (an energetic weanling) to the show. I showed Checkers, and we loaned Bopper to a young girl named Ava for her first show. Jigs was there to get used to shows and basically keep Bopper company. We took Chay to get her used to being away from her mom and also to do a halter class.
We got to the show on Thursday late in the day. We had to clean out the pens in the barn first and then get them all set up; making sure everything was secure for when people stormed down the narrow aisles to get a look at the llamas. It took a while, and it was dark when we were finally done. Emilio was kind enough to keep the barn open till we got finished. I was so tired when we got to the hotel but excited about the upcoming show the next day.
On Friday, we left the hotel early to take care of the llamas. Jigs, Bopper and Chay had slept in their poop and hay, and it was a depressing mess. I was relieved that Checkers had the sense to poop in one place, and sleep in another. We hurriedly cleaned the pens and groomed the llamas, then rushed to the meeting that the judge was holding for the youth. She made a speech about the “Journey” the youth were going on from Juniors and up…and all the lessons we had and will learn, then explained the rules of the show. Then the classes began.
The show started out with obstacle, and it had a new obstacle that I had never had to do before. We had to put our llamas back feet into a small tire. I had never had to do that before, and it was hard. Even though Checkers did not do it…which I was disappointed about, I still did well enough at everything else to win first place. I was really happy about it because now all I need to do to get my ALSA Ultimate Award is win First Place four more times in Youth Showmanship. Showmanship is a big challenge for me.
The next class was PR. Again, to my dismay, there was a new obstacle. I was not happy with it. We had to put one of the llama’s feet in a small bucket. It was not a metal bucket like I had hoped, but instead a small plastic bucket that did not stand up very well. Checkers knocked it over once…with my help, and the second time put his foot in it. At least he did something. The rest of the class went smoothly, so everything was all right. I got second place in the P.R. class, which surprised me; because I thought I didn’t do that well.
After that was Pack. It would have done it perfectly, but I guess I wasn’t paying attention, because I picked up the right back foot instead of the left back foot! You would think I had remembered to pick up the left because it was easier! It went well though, and the rest of the course wasn’t too hard for me. I liked the water obstacle because it was hot outside, so it cooled me down. I placed third in the Pack Class.
My friend Ava showed Bopper in Juniors, and won a first and two seconds. She was really excited because it was her first show and she did so well! During one class, Bopper went potty right in front of an obstacle where he was supposed to stand on a bucket. He finished pooping, and then stood up on the bucked before Ava even had a chance to tell him too! Everyone was cracking up, even the judge! It was so funny. I wish we had a video tape of it.
After the three performance classes, they announced the Grand and Reserve Champions. I won Grand Champion and was so happy! I was not expecting it at all, so it came as a major surprise! Ava got Reserve Grand Champion in Juniors, which was really awesome for her first show! I hung out with friends later, so we ended up staying pretty late. We got to do a fun scavenger hunt with all the kids and eat pizza. We got to the hotel really late and I was really tired. On Saturday it was all the Novice and Advanced performance classes. Since I did not have any llamas to show then, I went out and rode the carnival rides with my friend Bridget; though I wouldn’t go on one ride she wanted me to go on…I regret it now. I think I will next year though. It was fun, and gave me a break from the barn area.
Sunday was Showmanship and the halter classes. We had to get there really early, and check out of the hotel. It was busy, but worth it when we got there. There was a judge’s meeting first and then I sang the National Anthem in front of everyone.
Showmanship was first. I took Checkers in because Bounder, the llama I used to show in youth showmanship, is highly energetic, and doesn’t put up with it anymore. I was worried that Checkers would act up. The last time I showed him in Showmanship was over a year ago, before he was bred. I was in luck though, he did perfectly, standing still and lining himself up, even during part of the class when there was a female right next to him. I got second place, and was really pleased.
After the halter classes were over we had to be quick to pack up and leave, because the Fair wanted us out in time. We left eventually, but it seemed like a lot of work taking everything down. Before we left, they had a meeting where the awards the Fair made for the winners were handed out. I got a cool bag for winning Grand Champion, and also found out that I won High Point Intermediate Youth, by one point! I was given a comfy red sweatshirt for it, which I am wearing right now, though it is a little big.
All in all, it was an awesome show, and I had a great time. I can’t wait to go next year! |
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