Macclesfield’s Gayle Herring hopes her beloved alpacas Atlantis and Dorrigo will take home the Alpaca Association National Show Supreme Champion title.
By Russell Bennett
MACCLESFIELD woman Gayle Herring will soon take her prize winning alpacas on a journey to Tamworth, New South Wales.
She’s searching for success at the Australian Alpaca Association’s 17th National Show.
Ms Herring said she has always loved the soft fur of the animal.
“I’ve always liked animals and soft, fluffy things,” she said.
“So ever since I first saw an alpaca, I knew I wanted one.”
Ms Herring has been breeding the animals since 1993. She presently has 100 alpacas at her ‘Glenavon’ property.
“We actually upgraded to a bigger property 10 years ago,” she said.
“We really needed the extra space.”
Ms Herring said she loves breeding alpacas because “it’s a great lifestyle and there is some money to be made from it – both in exporting the animals and their fleeces.”
Alpaca wool is regarded as hypo-allergenic, unlike sheep’s wool, which can inflame some allergies.
Three of Ms Herring’s alpacas – Atlantis, Dorrigo and Leah – will compete against more than 600 others from 14 to 17 October.
Judging starts on the first day and will result in the presentation of ribbons to the ‘Supreme Champions’ two days later.
“It is a huge challenge to win the Supreme Champion’s ribbon at the National Show, but it is the dream of every alpaca breeder,” Alpaca Association spokesman Alastair Smedley said.
“Each alpaca has to be trained and its beautiful soft silky fleece prepared and protected until it takes place in the show ring.”
Prizes will also be presented for fleece, art, craft and photography.
