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URBANA – While South American pipe music floated throughout the Cattle Show Arena at the Champaign County Fair on Friday, Aug. 14, students showed off their skills at raising an animal many might not think of during fair time.
For about three hours, several students escorted their llamas around the arena, then took them through a brief obstacle course to demonstrate what the animals have learned in the past year.
Levi Kauffman took first in the senior showmanship competition.
Carmen Hillman, of St. Paris, said she’s been raising the animals for several years. Hillman took first place in the junior showmanship competition with her llama, Freddie.
While the animals are fairly easy to raise, Hillman said, each animal has its own personality and can be stubborn.
For example, Hillman said Freddie isn’t particularly fond of backing up, one of the items the animals are judged on in the obstacle course.
Hannah Smith, 13, of West Liberty, agreed.
“This one doesn’t like to be brushed,” Smith said of her llama.
During the showmanship competition, students presented their animals individually to the judges. The obstacle course required them to perform tasks like placing a necklace around the llama’s neck or jumping over a small fence.
Judge Linda Pohle said she considers a number of issues during the competition.
For example, she checks how the llamas are spaced in line, whether they can perform turns correctly, and the owner’s rapport with the animal.
Pohle asked contestants the same question and awarded points for the most complete answer. For the junior competition, she asked what can be done to prevent heat stress for the animals.
Throughout the event, Pohle explained how the judging works and provided a few facts about the animals.
While it’s not well know, she said llamas are often used to guard sheep and other livestock from predators such as dogs and coyotes. The animals kick with their front hooves.
She said they’re also often taken into nursing homes where they are allowed to meet with residents.
While they do need some training, Pohle said the animals learn quickly and perform tasks after being shown just a few times.
“If you show them something about four times, they’ve learned it for life,” she said.
Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0355 or msanctis@coxohio.com.
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