Walking Fleece
The Walking Fleece Competition is an opportunity for the exhibitor to enter a fleece competition where the prime fleece is evaluated while still on the alpaca. Conformation is not assessed. An AOA Walking Fleece Scorecard will be completed for each alpaca in the course of this evaluation/judging process. Placements are made on a highest point basis once all evaluations are completed and tabulated. Oral comments by the Judge may be given during the hands-on evaluation. Judging by an AOA Certified Fleece Judge is required.
A show must list the Walking Fleece Competition on its Application for Certification. There are specific staffing requirements for this competition that are separate from the Halter and Fleece Shows. Show Management must contact and work directly with the AOA Show System Administrator to ensure that there is adequate staffing for this competition at their show.
Rules shall follow the rules for Fleece Shows according to breed, age divisions, Color Groups and class size (Refer to Section 1. Fleece Show A. 2, a – h)
Rules for show entry must be met (Refer to Section 1. Fleece Show A.3.e.1), 2) regarding Exhibitor Rule and B. 1 – 3, 11 – 16 for Fleece Show Rules).
Color Championships may be offered if minimum numbers are met (Refer to Section 1. Fleece Show D.1.a.1) – 6) and 8) – 11). Optional Fleece Classes, Championship Classes).
Walking Fleece Judging Criteria: The following are the judging criteria and maximum points that may be awarded. The points are recorded in ink on a Walking Fleece Show Scorecard and in pencil on the Judge’s Worksheet for both Huacaya and Suri.
Huacaya points:
Fineness and Handle (20)
Uniformity of: Micron (10) and Color (5)
Style: Character (Crimp) (10) and Staple Type/Density (5)
Brightness (10)
Absence of guard hair (10)
Absence of impurities/stains/fleece damage (5)
MAXIMUM POINT TOTAL FOR HUACAYAS: 75 points
Suri points:
Fineness and Handle (20)
Uniformity of: Micron (10) and Color (5).
Style: Lock Structure (10) and Density (5)
Luster (20)
Absence of guard hair (5)
Absence of impurities/stains/fleece damage (5)
MAXIMUM POINT TOTAL FOR SURIS: 80 points
For Huacayas, the minimum Walking Fleece score to award a blue ribbon is 45 or 60%. For Suris, the minimum Walking Fleece score to award a blue ribbon is 48 or 60%. If none of the total points in a class achieve 45 points or above for Huacayas and 48 points or above for Suris, then the Judge shall start placements with a red ribbon in that class.
Grey fleeces are eligible to receive full points out of 5 for uniformity of color. Multicolor designations and Indefinite color fleeces receive 0 points for uniformity of color and have a total possible point value of 70 for Huacayas and 75 for Suris. In these classes, the minimum fleece score required to award a blue ribbon is 42 or 60% for Huacayas and 45 or 60% for Suris.
Tiebreakers are the same as in the Fleece Show rules:
In the event that any two Huacaya alpacas which are tied have identical fleece scores, the tie will be broken based on the Fleece Scorecard in the following order: Fineness and handle first, then uniformity of micron, then absence of guard hair, then brightness.
In the event that any two Suri alpacas which are tied have identical fleece scores, the tie will be broken based on the Fleece Scorecard in the following order: Luster first, then fineness and handle, then uniformity of micron, then absence of guard hair.
Length of fiber will follow the Fleece Show rules with the noted exception* for fall shows:
Huacaya: Minimum length of entire fleece presented to be three inches with no maximum under first birthday, with a maximum of eight inches for first birthday and older.
Suri: Minimum length of entire fleece presented to be three inches with no maximum under second birthday, with a maximum of nine inches for second birthday and older.
EXCEPTION*: For fall (July 1st through December 31st) shows: Fleece length minimums will follow the fleece length rules for Halter Shows. The Judge (Halter or Walking Fleece) has the authority to disqualify any alpaca that does not meet the minimum fleece length.
Huacayas: Minimum of 2 inches
Suris: Minimum of 3 inches