Judge Assignments and Bios

Nick Harringon-Smith - Halter Classes

Certifications: Huacaya Halter, Suri Halter, Fleece, Performance

Married now for 36 years to Terry, Nick has spent his entire life working with and managing farming businesses in the UK. In 1998, he entered into the alpaca industry when appointed as UK Manager for an Australian business owning some 800 alpacas in the UK. Nick found his previous livestock experience invaluable, and was able to introduce sound commercial husbandry techniques into a business that was lacking focus and perspective. In 2005, Nick sold the company for his Australian owners, only to face redundancy! This setback was to provide the opportunity to set up his own business with a new business partner John Potts, and The Alpaca Stud was established which now comprises of some 450 Huacaya and 150 Suri. Nick has selected and imported numerous alpacas from Peru, Canada, Australia and the United States and in doing so has had to select from many thousands of alpacas. In part, these opportunities encouraged Nick to enter the first British Judge training scheme and becoming the first graduate of the scheme in 2003 and he is now a certified judge trainer for the British Alpaca Society. In 2005 Nick qualified as an AOBA judge. He believes it is the discipline and knowledge gained during this training that has led to a much better understanding of fleece and fleece technology. Nick has judged shows across the UK, Europe, Canada, Australia and the USA and considers each show judged a great privilege bestowed upon him by the exhibitors. Nick considers that showing must be educational through informed and accurate oral reasons. He is a very strong believer in the show ring as a promotional vehicle for alpacas, but also has a real awareness of the need to keep in perspective its importance in respect of breeding decisions. Nicks primary objective when judging is to ensure that all exhibitors experience an enjoyable and informative event

Jacob Hart - Halter Classes

Certifications: Huacaya Halter, Suri Halter

Native to Central Ohio, Jacob has been involved in the alpaca industry since 2009, when he followed his parents into the industry at the age of 12. He first acquired his own alpacas as a way for his parents to teach him about finances and investments. It was at this time that he founded Rakhel Farms, which later became Rakhel Farms LLC.

Jacob attended Delaware Valley University (Doylestown, Pennsylvania) and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness in 2018 with the intention to apply his education to the alpaca industry.

In 2019, Jacob entered the Alpaca Owners Association Judge Training Program and became a certified halter judge in 2022. He has volunteered at numerous AOA Certified alpaca shows and served on the AOA Show Revitalization Task Force in 2020.

Laurel Shouvlin - Youth Performance

Certifications: Huacaya Halter, Suri Halter, Fleece, Performance

Laurel Shouvlin and her husband Tim have been raising alpacas since 1997 on Bluebird Hills Farm in Springfield, Ohio. Laurel has been fascinated with the camel family since her childhood and has also enjoyed working with natural fibers, learning to weave, knit and spin while in high school.

All facets of the alpaca industry appeal to her, including husbandry, fiber arts, veterinary medicine, breeding and birthing, and the show ring. She first considered becoming a judge after volunteering as a ring steward at various shows. Laurel believes the show ring is one of the best tools available to breeders to continue to improve both the fiber and conformation of alpacas in North America. The show ring also provides a great opportunity to help educate breeders about fleece and conformation.

Laurel has served as editor and publisher of the Ohio Alpaca Breeders Association magazine, Ohio Alpaca Life, as a director for the ARI, AOA, and the Suri Network. She feels privileged to have the opportunity to evaluate North American alpacas and their fleeces in AOA and international competitions.

Arturo Pena - Gala Halter Males, Jubilee Halter Females

Arturo Pena is from Arequipa, Peru. He has an educational background in animal science and management. In 2003, he moved to the United States, since then he has been working as a herd manager for large alpaca farms operation. His fascination for alpacas and its luxury product "The Fleece" motivated him to get into the AOBA Judging Apprentice Program. He completed his training and become an AOBA Certified Halter, Performance and Fleece Judge for both Huacayas and Suris. Arturo, his wife Kat and son Nicholas recently moved to the East Coast area.

Arturo believes that education and mentoring are the keys to promote and develop a strong Alpaca industry.

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Check Out These Great Lots!!!

(See auction booklet for lot order)

HERDSIRE BREEDINGS:

AMAF The THUNDER ROLLS | Medium Brown | AOA#35542728 | DOB 7/2/19

Donated by: Autumn Mist Alpaca Farm & Fiber Mill, Jeff & Leslie Jorritsma

Amber Autumn TITUS | True Black | AOA #30717701 | DOB 8/30/16

Donated by: Meadowgate Alpacas, Stephen & Nicole Phillips

Encore’s SMOKE N GUN HH511 / Medium Fawn | AOA#35392064 | DOB 5/12/17

Donated by: Hilltop Hideaway Alpacas, LLC, Elaine & Preston Simpson

Heaven’s Hill JOSIAH | Med. Silver Grey | AOA#35501718 | DOB 7/2/19

Donated by: Heaven’s Hill Alpacas, Michael & Alma Gelorme

StrongShepherd APOLLO by Koolossal | AOA#36006533 | DOB 6/2/20

Donated by: K-Ran Alpacas, Randy & Karen Strong

Shepherds Creek Alpacas, Barb & Marc Sodums

PLUS:

Alpaca Afghan – Made & Donated by Karen Strong

Openherd 1 Year Business Membership

Education with a Destination

Natural Edge Hand-Turned Bowls

MAPACA Lifetime Membership

MAPACA Emerald Sponsorship

PAOBA Platinum Sponsorship

EMPIRE Gold Sponsorship

Wall Hanging – Made & Donated by: Carol Lambert

Alpaca Ottoman – Donated by Dark Rose Alpacas, Karen Bowman

Many More Surprises!

Alpaca Road LLC

Jackie Mathiason & Brad Dean

1135 Camp Rd. Denton, MD 21629

(410) 241–4367 jackie_mathiason@yahoo.com www.alpacaroad.com

Alpaca Run Farm

Earl Khosrovi

1144 Mill Run Rd. Parkersburg, WV 26104

(304) 480-9303

Earlkhosrovi5634@gmail.com www.alpacarunfarm.com

Alpacas Sky Meadows

Carl Kwartnik & Maureen Santina 4025 Lehnenberg Rd. Riegelsville, PA 18077

(908) 216-2435

Angel Fleece Farm, LLC

Michele Weiss 546 Watters Station Rd Evans City, PA 16033

(724) 584 – 9775 angelgleeve@otmail.com

Asgard Acres Alpaca Farm, LLC

Carole & Joe Rost 180 Nursery Rd. Renfrew, PA 16053

(724) 789-7345

(724) 316-6853 crost51@gmail.com www.asgardacresalpacas.com

Bent Pine Alpaca Farm

Darwin & Doris Kell

65 Old Stonehouse Rd. S. Carlisle, PA 17015

(717) 497-4887

(717) 796-5949 darwin@bentpinealpacas.com info@bentpinealpacas.com www.bentpinealpacas.com

Bluebird Farm Alpacas

44 Willow Ave Peapack, NJ 07977

(908) 680-0990 info@bluebirdfarmalpacas.com www.bluebirdalpacas.com

Buck Brook Alpacas

Justin & Kara McElroy

12 Bestenheider Rd

Roscoe, NY 12776

(845) 807 – 3104 buckbrookalpacas@yahoo.com www.buckbrookalpacas.com