The AAA National Fleece Challenge will take place in December 2020.
Why “Fleece Challenge”? Simply to differentiate it from the annual National Fleece Show which, along with the National Halter Show has been deferred until 2021. We are throwing out a challenge to all breeders to create a brilliant display of alpaca fleeces to show that the industry is thriving in spite of lock-downs, travel restrictions and face masks!
This is a one-off special event to promote your best fleeces, given the lack of opportunity to show this year. We are pleased that Natasha Clark has accepted the invitation to judge this special event, subject to any COVID restrictions that may be in place at the time.
A percentage of show income will be dedicated to prize money for successful fleeces in the Fleece Challenge and for those who have saved their show fleeces from last shearing, there will be a special prize for the best pair of fleeces exhibited from the one alpaca, provided they have placed in their relevant classes.
Remember, this is not JUST a fleece show – it is your chance to show the quality of your breeding that would have taken pride of place in your show pens in any normal year. So, check over your best alpacas and plan your shearing and fleece preparation for your stud’s display of strength in times of adversity.
A list of Q&As covering the overall concept of the National Fleece Challenge can be found on the AAA website
Show Entries
All show entries are to be completed online using eAlpaca (provide hyperlink to show)
Entries close midnight on Monday 2 November 2020
There are two shows available for entry:
- National Fleece Challenge pre 30 June 20 shearing
- National Fleece Challenge post 30 June 20 shearing
This will allow for two fleeces shorn from the one alpaca to be entered. This is a special feature for the National Fleece Challenge only, in recognition of the fact that there has been little opportunity to show animals or fleeces during 2020.
All fleeces entered must have been shorn within 18 months of the show, i.e. shorn after 4 June 2019.
All entries will be combined into classes forming one single show for judging purposes.
Having problems with show entry?
Convenor: Paul Haslin 0417 264 219 elysion@bigpond.net.au
Download Forms
Event Pricing
| Item | Cost | |
| Fleece entry | Entry via eAlpaca | $30.00 each |
| Progeny entry | Entry via Progeny Entry Form on AAA web site | No charge |
| Most Valuable Fleece entry | Entry via MVC Entry FormOn AAA web site | No charge |
| Fleece return postage | Pay via eAlpaca | $20.00 per fleece |
| Fleece delivery and return by | ||
| Road freight (Tumi Alpacas) | Pay via eAlpaca | $5.00 per fleece |
| From selected collection point |
Judging Times
Fleece classes will be judged from Friday 4 December through to Sunday 6 December.
Fleece delivery and return
- By Post
Fleece must be received by Friday 13 November
PO Box 91, Moss Vale NSW 2577
Exhibitors are reminded of possible delays in the postal system and are urged to allow adequate time for delivery.
- By Hand
Deliveries to these studs must be between 1 November and 13 November.
Exhibitors should contact the relevant stud directly to make delivery arrangements.
Elysion Alpacas
155 Foxgrove Rd
Canyonleigh NSW 2577
paul@elysionalpacas.com
0417 264 219
Gunnamatta Alpaca Stud
16 Mansfield Rd
Galston NSW 2159alpacas@tpg.com.au02 9653 2277
- Via Tumi Alpaca Transport collection
Deliveries to these studs must be between 1 November and 8 November.
Exhibitors should contact the relevant stud directly to make delivery arrangements.
The charge for this service is $5.00 per fleece, payable with your eAlpaca entry.
This includes delivery to the show address and return to the collection point.
Return will be on a non-urgent basis, to suit the transport timetable of Tumi Alpaca Transport with no guaranteed delivery date.
You can opt to have your fleeces returned via Australia Post at a charge of $20.00 per fleece.
All delivery and return fees must be paid with entry.
Fleeces received with no provision made for return will be donated to a fleece collection agency after judging:
Yaringa Alpacas91 Coomooloo Rd
Bald Hills SA 5203
susan@yaringaalpacas.com.au
0418 846 271
Precision Alpaca Group
39 Budds Lane
Baynton via Kyneton VIC 3444
precisionalpaca@gmail.com
0417 845 480
Fleece not received by the due date will not be judged
Additional Classes
Most Valuable Huacaya Commercial Fleece Class
This class has been created to underscore the focus on the breeding aspects of producing quality alpaca fibre for commercial purposes.
The overall winner of the Most Valuable Huacaya Commercial Fleece will receive a distinctive Sash (not champion). Micron testing will occur for all fleeces entered.
The class will be judged on a commercial basis for overall dollar value of each fleece, based on current prices that can be obtained on local/international markets.
The valuation is calculated taking into consideration, fineness, length, overall excellence (style), faults, yield (impurities) and fleece weight.
No fleece weight annualisation will take place in this class as the fleece is judged solely on how it presents for commercial processing.
Any huacaya fleece shorn in the 18 months prior to this show may be entered in this class. Any fleece entered in this class may also be entered in the standard huacaya age/colour classes, provided that it is clearly marked with two separate entries on the entry form and the two separate fees are paid.
Progeny Fleece – Huacaya & Suri
- Sires Progeny Fleece – Open
The Sire’s Progeny Fleece Class is comprised of two fleece exhibits from alpacas that are the progeny of the same sire. Both fleeces from this sire are evaluated simultaneously and should represent their sire’s ability to transmit positive traits to each of his progeny in a uniform and consistent manner.
Fleeces entered in the Sire’s Progeny Class must be eligible (i.e. registered on the IAR) and entered in the Fleece Show in their respective fleece classes. The show convener will confirm the qualification of the entries. Both genders can be represented, but must be from two different dams. The colour and age of each alpaca within the group will not be a discriminating factor.
Show entry is made in the name of the sire on the show entry form and the two fleeces being included for this class must also be nominated on the entry form.
The sire’s fleece is not shown with this group entry (but may be shown individually within the fleece show).
- Dams Progeny Fleece – Open
The Dam’s Progeny Fleece Class is comprised of two fleece exhibits from alpacas that are the progeny of the same dam. Both fleeces from this sire are evaluated simultaneously and should represent their dam’s ability to transmit positive traits to each of her progeny in a uniform and consistent manner.
Fleeces entered in the Dam’s Progeny Class must be eligible (i.e. registered on the IAR) and entered in the fleece show in their respective fleece classes. The show convener will confirm the qualification of the entries. Both genders can be represented, but must be by two different sires. The colour and age of each alpaca within the group will not be a discriminating factor.
Show entry is made in the name of the dam on the show entry form and the two fleeces being included for this class must also be nominated on the entry form.
The dam’s fleece is not shown with this group entry (but may be shown individually within the fleece show).