The BAS National Show

After months of planning by the National Show Committee the BAS National Show has been and gone. Thank you to everyone who has given feedback claiming the show to be a resounding success. Its all down to the support that the show receives that such an event can be held...well done everyone!

I started off the week with a cold, so the decision was made not to attend the National Fleece Show and spread the bug far and wide before such an important weekend. This also meant my fleece entries failed to be judged. The first bit of bad luck. Was this an omen...

I then missed being at the back of a pile up of cars by inches. A downfall of snow on a steep hill, required hanging on to the handbrake and praying. Luckily those already involved including the motorcyclists were not critically injured. Okay all my good luck gone for the week...

However, we needn't have worried Beck Brow had a great show. We took seven juniors (plus one belonging to Florens Alpacas) and two intermediates. Two Black Sabbath progeny. Three St Patrick and five Explorer progeny. My secret wish was to come in the top three placings with all of the team...ambitious...but achieved!

Beck Brow Prime Suspect (shared Florens) Black Sabbath . 2nd placed junior black male

Beck Brow Jimmy Choos (Black Sabbath) 2nd placed junior black male (2nd class)

Beck Brow Seventh Heaven (St Patrick) 3rd placed junior brown female

Beck Brow Crafter (St Patrick) 1st placed intermediate fawn male

Florens Juno (St Patrick) 2nd placed junior fawn female

Beck Brow Bottoms Up (Explorer) 1st placed junior white female

Beck Brow Trendsetter (Explorer) 2nd place junior white female (2nd class)

Beck Brow Adventurer (Explorer) 1st placed junior white male

Beck Brow Asterisk (Explorer) 2nd placed junior white male.

Beck Brow First Edition (Explorer) Reserve Champion White Male (behind the eventual Supreme Champion)

It was the first time out for our new pop-up, featuring Beck Brow Explorer of course...

                                       

I am pleased to say that the show team were all pretty well behaved. That was until First Edition (Eddie) left the pen and lined up for his class. That was when Crafter decided to jump out after him. Considering that Crafter is in charge in the paddock, he did turn into a bit of a wuss without his friend Eddie.

                                     

Eddie (left) and Crafter

Crafter in the ring with Julia

   

First Edition (Eddie) Reserve White Male Champion (41 white males entered)

The past few months have seen me spending a lot of time sitting in my kitchen window discussing details of the show, with Julia, Philippa, Michael and Tim and also Shirley, Melanie and Harry, who are aware of my poor mobile reception and hence the inability to move. On many occasions we have been discussing fleece show details and sponsorship opportunities whilst I have a cat on my head (yes it would appear short haired, colour pointed cats like to sit on your head...or is it just ours).

I share this information because the show committee kindly presented me with a fabulous caricature of myself drawn by the very perceptive and highly talented Tracey Hey of Alpaca Pals and Inca Alpaca. Even the curtains are the correct colour as well as the wine. I love it...thank you so much.

                                             

It is very difficult to switch off and not start planning 2016 straight away...but with the Futurity and NWAG shows to come...a rest is required.