News
The realization that winter is almost totally upon us hits home when you look out at the leafless trees. Doesn't matter that leaf removal has been going on for weeks already. The thought that there are no more leaves to rake, blow and haul away has finally resonated. Time to make winter preparations. You'd think that this was a surprise every year the way we carry on. Dah!
Our Fifth Annual Open House held the last weekend of September went off without a hitch. As has been customary for us, we had wagon rides pulled by Belgian horses, pony rides, South Coast Cookhouse served their wonderful fare, Lori Corriveau working her magic with her spinning wheel and showing off her product, loads of barn tours, and Split Rock's array of handmade items for sale. The colours of Fall were brilliant and the weather was gorgeous both Saturday and Sunday. Nearly 3000 people stopped by again this year. It's work but it's a blast and a big thanks to every one who stopped by!
We have had a busy 2011. We won our first futurity championship at the Eastern C.N.A.S.F. with Splitrock's McCartney in the brown/dark fawn category. We were excited for us, but also for him. He is such a nice boy in addition to his many other terrific attributes. I've always said that it would be just wonderful if, when judging, points could be awarded for an alpaca having a great attitude, which in turn, makes the day to day interaction with him such a breeze. Unfortunately, the show environment many times changes the psyche and an otherwise lovely animal acts just the opposite of his true character, so we don't expect any sort of an award any time soon. Our girl, Shooting Star, won 2nd in the white yearling category and Splitrock's Vanilla Sky took 3d in the intermediate male white. All of them with micron counts ranging from 14.8, 16.8 to17.9. Our goal is now and has always been to breed for really low micron counts, good personalities, good bone structure, fleece fineness, density and shine. Not a small order, but Rome wasn't built in a day, either! Our practices are paying off big time. You are cordially invited to come see our guys and gals anytime. Call to let us know when you'd like to come.
When December first rolls around, we'll be opening our seasonal store, The Alpaca Habit, for three weekends. I've been knitting and sewing like a madwoman in preparation. It is always nice to have so many alpaca fans return each year and to be able to initiate new people into the use of alpaca and explain why it is such an exceptional fibre. From our little corner of the world, we like to think that we are helping in the educational process.
Glen has been very active with his A.O.B.A. alpaca judge schooling. I will personally now look at an alpaca judge with a great deal of respect after seeing and being involved with someone who studies as much as Glen to be perfect out there in the showring, to do right by the animals before him and to help guide the breeders as much as possible. Glen completed his 3rd clinic in August (in Nashville -- the next in Virginia in March). He is now an official A.O.B.A. Judge Apprentice and, as such, completed his first apprenticeship at the Empire Show in Syracuse in October. Jill MacLeod (another Canadian) was his senior judge instructor. His second and third
apprenticeship assignments will be in Concord, NC with Judge
Diana Timmerman and Columbus and Columbus, Ohio in March 2012 with Judge Peter Kennedy. Glen also scribed for Peter at the A.O. Fleece Show in September and Jude Anderson at the Alpaca Canada Annual Fleece Show in October at the Eastern C.N.A.S.F. held in Orangeville. Busy, eh!
We are so looking forward to halter training our 2011 babies. They are such a great bunch. Our surprise birth on March 6th last Spring whom we named "Winter Rose" is almost as big as her mamma now, but her personality is just as people-oriented as always. We've been experimenting with having her mom, Athena, wean her. Winter isn't really in favour of it, but mom has been doing a very credible job. After all, it's what they do in the wilds, right? The rest of the crias will be weaned in February -- always a sad time, but necessary. Then the training will begin. The first show and one in which we hope many of them make their debut will be the A.O. Spring Show in April. After that, their first shearing will take place and the real assessment of their fibre begins. The first shearing almost feels like when you give your little human boy his first hair cut. Some of the "baby" leaves.
In addition to our babies here at home, we have another new little one born in the States to our girl down there named "Casanova's Peruvian Heart Throb." Such a mouthful. We named her new little grey son "Splitrock's Lothario" and he is something to behold -- we think he's perfection. We will be showing him in several Spring shows in the U.S. With his good looks, he might even be magazine cover material.
We will be attending our first "The Priority" hosted by TNT Farms in Las Vegas in January, 2012. Fun locale and great getaway after the holidays. Speaking of the holidays, Glen and I wish you, your family and all of your critters a wonderful, healthy Christmas season. 2012 promises to be a better year for all! Fingers crossed!
So from our house to yours, we wish you all the joys of the season and all the best for the new year and beyond. We'll be seeing you in 2012
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Lynda
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Upcoming Events
Silver Pen Sales, The Priority
hosted by TNT Farms @
South Point Hotel Casino & Spa,
Las Vegas, Nevada
January 20 & 21, 2012
Carolina Alpaca Celebration
Concord, North Carolina
February 18 & 19, 2012
Best of the U.S. Alpaca Show
Columbus, Ohio
March 10 & 11, 2012
North American Alpaca Show
West Springfield, MA
March 31, April 1, 2012
Canadian National Select Sale & Futurity
Red Deer, Alberta
April 13 - 15, 2012
Alpaca Ontario 11th Annual Spring Show
Orangeville Fairgrounds
Orangeville, Ontario
April 13 - 15, 2012
MAPACA Jubilee 2012
Harrisburg, PA
April 13 - 15, 2012
The FUTURITY
Grand Island, Nebraska
April 21 - 23, 2012
Northeast Alpaca Expo
Syracuse, New York
May 5 & 6, 2012
A.O.B.A. National Show
Kentucky Exposition Centre
Louisville, Kentucky
May 26 - 28, 2012
SPLIT ROCK FARMS 6TH ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE
1652 Ridge Road North
Ridgeway, Ontario
Sept. 29 & 30, 2012
Eastern C.N.A.S.F.
Orangeville Fairgrounds
Orangeville, Ontario
Oct. 25 - 27, 2012
Royal Winter Agricultural Fair
Toronto, Ontario
Nov 2 - 11, 2012
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