By Jude Anderson
This article was crafted by senior AOBA judge, Jude Anderson, from the contents of several exhibitors meetings at major alpaca shows held in 2005. Jude makes clear why grooming is against the AOBA rules and that this practice will no longer be tolerated. I could not say it better than Jude did when she opened her piece with the following paragraph:
“A ‘Culture of Cheating’ has now become endemic in AOBA alpaca shows, whether it’s in the trimming and blocking of huacayas or the stripping, shampooing or luster enhancement of suris. AOBA judges now find themselves in the position of being the “Grooming Police” rather than having the satisfaction of being able to judge every animal on its merits and place them accordingly. I’d like to demonstrate how cheating negatively permeates every aspect of the alpaca industry.” Read the entire article.
Related links:
Alpaca Shows: The Blame Game or Fair and Friendly Competition by Mike Safley
Showing Suri Alpacas by Maggie Krieger
Hair Shine: An Analytically Elusive Phenomenon? by F.-J. Wortmann, E. Schulze, B. Bourceau