Another Great Western Alpaca Show is in the bag.
This past weekend we saw another great GWAS come and go. This show was our very first show we ever attended when we first started showing and it is where we have met many wonderful breeders from all over the country. We saw breeders from my home state of Ohio as well as many from the mid west and west coast. As always this is not a show where you do not bring your very best alpacas if you want a chance to ribbon! GWAS did not fail us again as it was highly competitive. We are always amazed at how far the quality of the alpacas seems to leap forward every year.
One subject to note this year was that there were quite a few smaller breeders that did very well at the show. This makes me feel good knowing that the smaller ranches and breeders can still compete, especially at a show as tough as GWAS. Good job you guys!
Absaroka Alpacas had a pretty good show as we only took 4 animals for the halter classes this year due to Mary Ann being the event Manager. We took a 1st, a 2nd, a 6th and a 7th 
Our 7th place was in a class that was full and just brutal with competition. The stand-out was Absaroka Makulu’s American Glory with a 1st.
Absaroka Makulu’s American Glory
this was her final show before entering our breeding program. What a great way to retire from the ring! After the show we placed her on a trailer to Oregon for her first breeding. We can hardly wait!
Managing this event has taken most of Mary Ann’s time these past few months. Of course there were ups and downs all year long as the planning of the show took place but I’m sure that is true for any alpaca show of this stature. I look forward to getting my wife back now that GWAS has ended. However, the truth is that this show is never really “over”. This show takes a vast amount of planning and coordination throughout the year to put on and the work and dedication that I saw from Mary Ann as well as all the other show coordinators and volunteers was truly amazing. My hats off to all of those in Alpaca Breeders of the Rockies (ABR) who take the time to volunteer. Without volunteers none of the shows or events would be possible! For those who have not volunteered to assist in these events you should. This will lend some insight into what it takes to put on these events and will definitely open you eyes to the amount of care that is taken to put on a great, Great Western Alpaca Show!
-Scott Mahaffey