ARUNDA LORCA

Lorca (left) with Ginny Cobb at Bourges

Last year Ginny and Nigel Cobb of Alpacas de Andalucia, who originally introduced us to alpaca breeding, moved to France where there is a more established alpaca market, allowing them new and exciting opportunities.

Their new farm in Manot, within the region of Poitou-Charentes, is called Europa Alpacas (www.europaalpacas.fr) and they have made an immediate impact. Their Godswell Monty was awarded Reserve Champion at the French Alpaca Show in Salbris last April and again at the show in Marcy L'Etoile near Lyon the following October. He went one better at the Terralies Show in Brittany winning Supreme Champion.

Monty is the sire of our own Leah who was born here on the 10th February of last year.

After a lot of thought and consideration, we came to the conclusion that if Lorca, who is very special to us, were to fulfil his potential, we would have to send him to France. Nigel and Ginny kindly agreed to agist him and our other boy Mateo on our behalf, so on the 18th March the two of them were transported up to France, by a lovely Dutch man named Jorrian who lives locally.

Lorca being judged at Hapert

What happened next was beyond our wildest dreams and expectation.

Lorca was shown at the Fifth International Alpaca Show at Hapert in Holland at the end of March and although he was not in the best condition, because he had been fighting with Matty, resulting in a damaged fleece, and was up against some stiff opposition, he still managed to come second in his class.

This in itself was quite an achievement, however he was then entered into the Alpaca International Show 2012 held in the Halle au Ble in Bourges on the 9th April. There were 135 entrants from France, England, Belgium and Spain and the show was judged by Canadian Kristin Buhrmann.

We were absolutely flabbergasted and thrilled when we heard that not only did he win his class and get second place in the Supreme White class, but was also awarded overall Reserve Supreme Champion!

We always thought that he was destined for great things, but this was beyond belief....

What a little star he is!

Lorca with Lin prior to his move to France