Packing for a llama show...
Mitzi Ross, Good News Llamas
You may be a llama show pro or preparing for your very first show. Below is a helpful list of things you may want to bring with you. Some are necessities; some are luxuries…the decision is up to you. Just remember the Boy Scout motto…BE PREPARED!
Bare Necessities:
One large water bucket per stall
Feed dishes for grain
Hay bags or large feed pails (plastic tubs work great too!)
Grain
Hay
Straw, Astroturf or other bedding for each stall
Manure shovel/rake or pooper set
Broom
Trash bags
Clean show halter and lead rope for each llama
High velocity fans at least on per stall
(ESPECIALLY DURING THE HOT SUMMER SHOWS)
Heavy-duty extension cords
Plug adapters
Bungie cords, wire ties, or straps for tying buckets or securing stall doors
Grooming brushes/wands
Grooming sprays or preparations
Fly spray
Safety Pins/extra show bolo
Show clothes and Shoes (usually light top; dark pants/skirt; dark closed toe shoes/boots)
A lovely llama or two
A big smile
Medical & registration papers for each llama
ALSA card
Now you don’t need all the bare necessities to take your llama to a show. The goals here are to make sure your llama is safe and comfortable; you have everything you need for you both; and that the show experience is fun and rewarding for both.
Remember that famous saying: “It’s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game.” And after all everyone knows you have the most beautiful llama in the world anyway, right?
Living in Luxury:
Broom
“Poop” bucket for cleaning stall area
Extra halters/leads
Wire cutters/snips
Pocketknife or all-purpose tool
Hammer
Hose/nozzle
Scissors
Tape (masking or duct)
Shears
Toenail Trimmers
Blower
Cooler full of stuff for humans
Paper towels/diaper wipes
Farm sign/banner
Farm brochures
Farm display
Pictures
Business cards
Human First Aid Kit
Llama First Aid Kit
Scrub brush for dirty knees
Camera/film
Lawn chairs
Bags of ice for a hot trailer ride home
Some people consider the “luxury” items mentioned necessities too. You know what will make your llama and you comfortable. Just remember what you pack and take, eventually has to be repacked and taken home again.
One suggestion is to find llama folks close to you that you can travel with. It makes the trips more fun. It also helps sharing space, items, stalls, etc.
First and foremost, whether it is your first show or your millionth show, make sure that your llama is safe, comfortable, clean, fed, and watered. No ribbon or award is worth the injury or loss of your llama friend.
Now pack your “show kit”, pick out a llama show to enter, clean up your llama, go and have a ball!
Don’t forget to smile… it is supposed to be fun!