While the llama competition at the Holmes County Fair is fairly new, and is not as well populated as the steer and swine shows, it continues to gain popularity, and so it was on Friday, August 12 in the llama show barn, that a good-sized crowd watched a number of area 4-H youth showcase the llamas they have been working with diligently the past few months.

Blessed with a mind of their own and plenty of personality, llamas present different challenges than many of the other show animals, and part of the llama show is simply to help kids understand the techniques in raising and handling these beautiful beasts of burden.

“Llamas are leery of any strangers approaching, so the handler has to learn how to be very comfortable around the animal,” said Dr. Eric Shaver of East Holmes Veterinary Clinic, who emceed the show. “Often times they are in flight mode, and therefore not that cooperative. Much of what a judge will look for is the ability of the handler to get the best out of their animal.”

Serving as this year’s judge was Katy Shaver, Dr. Shaver’s daughter, who has had plenty of experience raising and handling llamas over the years.

Katy Shaver carefully examined competitors in advanced, intermediate and beginner classes, judging showmanship techniques on how the trainers worked with their animal.

She awarded Morganne Balder the top spot in the showmanship class, noting how Balder made continual eye contact and maintained a calming, happy presence in the ring. Balder carefully listened to instructions, answered questions and took her time parading her llama Breeze Hill Sox around the arena.

In the Best of Show competition, which is geared more toward the actual animal and its ability to listen to directions and interact with its trainer, Katlyn Hamner took top honors with her llama April Showers.

“It makes me happy because of all of the time I spent working together with her,” said Hamner.

Katy Shaver said that for the most part, all of the contestants showed nice poise and ability in working with their animals, and offered a number of tips before they moved on to other events.

“We have some good showmanship here today,” said Katy Shaver. “Morganne did an excellent job in particular because she always knew exactly where I was.”

She also offered tips to assist the youth in their showmanship techniques for the future.

“Any time a judge approaches to touch an animal, you’ll always want to be on the other side with your arm out,” said Katy Shaver. “Llamas can get spooked when a stranger approaches, and you have to be ready if that happens.”

That did happen right before the Best of Show competition, when Brenda McClure’s llama Casper began acting up and bucking wildly. After bringing in a new halter for the animal, McClure bravely took the rein and led Casper around the ring, with no further issues.

After all of the showmanship and judging, everyone in the llama show arena turned their attention to more relaxed endeavors, such as the obstacle course, in which the kids took their llamas through a series of challenges, and the costume contest, where they dressed up their llamas in whatever costume they could dream up.

One of the more creative costumes was that of Katelyn Herman, who, with the help of her mother Angie, created the Energizer Bunny look for her llama, Hermi.

Katelyn had purchased Hermi in April, from Dr. Shaver, and had been working with him ever since to familiarize herself with him, and the llama with her. Considering Hermi was toting around a large cardboard drum and decked out in pink, he was taking it all very well.

“He’s been really good, really calm,” said Herman. “I was able to buy him with the money I had raised from selling livestock the previous years. I’ve done dairy feeders, pigs and rabbits, but I think llamas are my favorite because they have more personality.”