How To Improve Your Chances of Placing Higher. Dolores Gardner has a nursing degree and a management degree from Texas Christian University in Ft. Worth, Texas. At the end of 2005, She retired from her job as a legal nurse consultant for a law firm, which has offices in Daingerfield, Texas, Shreveport, Louisiana, Texarkana, Texas, Albuquerque, New Mexico and Saltillo, Mexico. This decision allows more time to spend with her beloved llamas, the area youth involved in llamas and judging shows all over the country. One of her dreams is to write a book.  She and an attorney co-author have completed a medical-legal mystery novel and are re-editing. Their agent tells them it will sell. Dolores is a Level III ALSA judge. She has served as president of the South Central Llama Association and on the education committee for ALSA. Currently, Dolores serves as a member of the Executive Management Council, the management team for Collectible Llamas, Inc.   Q: What can I do to improve my chances to place (1st, 2nd or 3rd) in a halter class in the showring? A: The obvious answer is “show a conformationally correct, structurally sound llama”. For the sake of this question, let us say that your llama is conformationally correct and structurally sound. How do you improve your chances? First, learn how to show in a halter class. The llama’s head should be up and he should be paced. What do I mean by paced? He should be lead at a slightly faster rate than a walk. This allows a judge to see the natural stride of the llama. A llama whose head is not erect and is walking slowly will appear to be close in the rear legs and have a slightly rounded top-line. If at all possible, have your llama go to the poop area prior to entering the ring. Needing to go to the bathroom will also cause your llama to have a slightly rounded top-line. In addition, it will cause him to have a short, choppy stride. In very large classes, this will often cause a very correct llama to not place since a judge only has so much time to look at the llamas. If your llama starts eliminating as you are circling the ring, step out of the line and let him go. Do not continue to “drag” him around. This brings us to the next point—pay attention to your llama. I have seen many exhibitors who just start walking and never look at their llamas again. We teach our youth to pay attention in showmanship; we should do the same! When you are asked to stop, make sure your llama is square. Some llamas will do this naturally when they are asked to stop—what a pleasure that is, but some will want to be more relaxed and throw out a leg or even cross the front legs. In very large classes, when the judge is doing individual “hands on”, it is not as important to keep your animal “at attention”. Let him relax until about three or four llamas before you, then set him up (square him) and be prepared for the top-line check. Do not be too fidgety in the ring. This makes your llama nervous. Remember that the lead rope tells the llama what to do. And, if you are ill at ease, your llama will be too. Take a deep breath and relax. Keep the llama between you and the judge. If the judge is moving down the front of the line, be on the opposite side of the llama’s head from the judge.   More in depth show techniques are available at an ALSA show clinic. I highly recommend that if you are serious about showing, you consider attending one of these. Also, exhibitors who show well are usually more than generous with their advice if asked. Last, have a good time and leave the ring with a smile, no matter how you place. Collectible Llamas, Inc. Dolores J. Gardner     418 County Road 1108  Daingerfield, TX  75638   903.645.2650 Copyright 2005-2007 Texas Llamas