WHY SHOW AT IAO?

If you want to try a new direction in alpaca showing, the 2008 International Alpaca Odyssey is the place to be. IAO was created to give all breeders a chance to bring their best animals to a venue that would evaluate each animal using the international standards set forward by the International Alpaca Judging School. Such a show offers breeders the opportunity to be judged by a three judge panel and under either the 60/40 or 70/30 (Fleece/Conformation) criteria rather than the 50/50 used by most AOBA certified halter shows in the United States. By showing under the international rules, breeders both small and large can see where their breeding program stands from a worldwide perspective.

Excellence does not have a minimum herd size. A ranch of 10 animals could produce a supreme champion just as easily as a ranch of 100 animals. Because of the three judge consensus necessary for placement, the International Alpaca Odyssey is the perfect show for ranches of any size to bring their best and get the most "bang for the buck." Even if a coveted IAO ribbon is not achieved, the comments alone are worth the effort of showing because you are hearing from three judges and not just one. Of course walking out with a ribbon is enough to make most of us experience shortness of breath and stammering in our speech but it is a risk we are willing to take. While I have not experienced this firsthand (yet) I am told that the smile glued to your face after winning an IAO ribbon will relax after three or four weeks. The IAO ribbon is a marketing instrument of equal stature to a ribbon from the AOBA National show or the Futurity and everyone in the alpaca industry knows it.

This year's panel of halter judges is exceptional. Charlene Friedman - USA, Jane Tellier - Canada and Jenny Jackson - Australia have all been trained at the international alpaca judging school in Peru. The fleece show judge, Cathy Merkley - Canada, was also a graduate of the IAJS and if the halter show seems a bit too intimidating for you the fleece show provides another option for showing your best animals fleece attributes without the butterflies of standing on the end of the lead rope.

The International Alpaca Odyssey also offers several classes not available at an AOBA show. The Supreme Champion Suri and the Supreme Champion Huacaya classes are the top animal of all the Huacayas and the top animal of all the Suri's shown at the event but there must be a certain number showing to make these awards possible. Compare it to "Best in Show" at an AKC dog show. It means that you have the best Suri or Huacaya at the entire show. Also available is the "Best Head" class where the alpaca head that best typifies the classic look of the suri and huacaya head is judged. Only at IAO will you find these unique classes.

The options that the IAO offers for every ranch to gain invaluable information about their breeding programs are unequaled. For years the International Alpaca Odyssey has been honored with the talents of Dr. Julio Sumar and this year will be no different. While he will not be judging in the ring or the fleece show at the 2008 event he will be available to individuals wishing to have him privately evaluate their animals. You could have the undivided attention of a judge with a worldwide reputation and a lifetime of experience in judging alpacas without ever having to remove your animal from the stall. The added benefit of this one on one time is that you can talk to the evaluator without being penalized, something that we know you cannot do in the show ring. Have a question about a particular animal? This is the time and definitely the man to ask.

Put simply, the International Alpaca Odyssey is a unique experience that enriches everyone who attends. The knowledge gained just watching the show and listening to the comments makes participation on any level worthwhile. If that isn't enough to make you jump to the website (www.iaoshow.com)and register, this year's event will again being held at the beautiful Del Mar fairgrounds so if the information of the day is just too overwhelming you can always unwind with a nice long walk on the beach when the day is over. What more could we ask from an alpaca show? Bring one animal, one fleece or bring 20 animals and no fleece but join us because without your entry this show will not be able to identify the best and brightest new breeders on the alpaca scene.