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!