Judges 09

As in years past, we have some great judges lined up again this year.  Lavona Fercho is very active in the fiber community and her excitement for fiber is very contagious.  You will learn a lot just watching her judge.  Simply put, Niki Kuklenski is very excited about all things llama. Her enthusiasm and high energy level will inject a little spark into our performance and youth classes.  Here is a little background information on our judges... 

Judges Bios

• Lavona Fercho
  

  Willowridge Ranch - Ed and Lavona Fercho
     Lavona and her husband Ed are hands-on owners involved in every aspect of the alpaca and llama community.  They have been active members of the Canadian Llama and Alpaca Association since its inception and have served in many capacities. They have attended every conference supporting with multiple Gold Sponsorships as well. They have also been long supporters of the Alpaca Llama Show Association, both attended the first ALSA Judging clinic in 1988.
     Lavona holds a Master's Degree in Education and Staff Development. After her administrative career with the Calgary School Board, Lavona has been principally involved with the alpaca and llama industry. An independent writer, she continues to write professional and wildlife articles, as well as others pertaining to aspects of alpacas and llamas including showing and fiber, that have appeared in publications in United States and Canada.
     Lavona became an ALSA certified llama and alpaca judge, is an AOBA Alpaca Fleece Judge, and an ALSA Apprentice Judge Instructor. She has judged llama and alpaca shows in Canada, United States, Peru, and Australia, including the National Alpaca Show for the Australia Alpaca Association. She has been a Phenotypic Screener for the U.S. and Canadian Registries, and has screened thousands of alpacas and llamas in the countries of origin, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, New Zealand, and Australia, prior to those approved being imported into North America. With registries being closed in United States and Canada, Lavona continues to be one of a very few approved screeners for the Australian Alpaca Association, and the British Alpaca Society.  With her vast experience in alpacas and llamas, Lavona acts as a consultant for herd and individual pre-purchase selection, as well as instructor at seminars pertaining to many aspects of raising and showing both alpacas and llamas.
     With a collection of elite alpaca and llama fleece garments obtained from travels, she also engages in fashion show consultations and exhibits. She frequently travels on several assignments simultaneously. Please feel free to consult her with any requests you may have.

• Niki Kuklenski
  

  JNK Llamas - Niki and Jeff Kuklenski
     Niki Anderson Kuklenski has been involved with llamas for over 20 years.  During that time she has been both a 4-H member (first in Washington State) and leader of her own group which had 20+ kids.  She judges for other 4-H members at their local fairs during the summer.  Niki and Jeff pack and drive for pleasure around the Western United States.  Additionally, they volunteer their time to educate and work with rescue situations.  
     Niki and Jeff have their own small herd of llamas (woolley and classic) that they compete with in shows around the United States. Their male "Isle Eagle" is the most ALSA award winning llama in Washington State.  He holds Recognitions of Merit in Halter, Packing, Obstacle, Public Relations and Driving.  He is an ALSA Performance and Halter Champion and the only ALSA Grand Champion in the State of Washington.  Eagle holds the ALSA Get of Sire Champion too.  In 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2006 he won the ALSA National Driving Classes and in 2001 and 2003 he won the ALSA National Public Relations Class.  That same year he was the ALSA  National Performance Champion after winning the driving, public relations classes and taking a second in the obstacle class.  In 2006 he won the Adult Medium Wool Male class also.  Eagle is an ALSA Breeder Elite, and with over 700+ ALSA points he is the most award winning llama in the Nation.  He is also a PLTA certified Master Packer and Delta Society Pet Therapy Partner.  Their Gelding Dazador is an ALSA Non-Breeder Elite and holds ROM’s in PR, Pack, Obstacle and Halter.  He also is an ALSA Performance and Grand Champion.  Another male named Marisco is an ALSA Halter Champion and certified through Delta Society for Pet Therapy also.  Their third male who is classic is named Anders Tobias.  He is PLTA certified as a Master Packer and is an ALSA halter champion also.  
     Niki is a member or ALSA (Alpaca Llama Show Association), SWLA (Southwest Washington Llama Association), LRN (Llama Rescue Net), Delta Society Pet Therapy and several organizations.  Niki recently rewrote the criteria for evaluating lama pet partners for the Delta Society pet therapy program.   She is a level halter judge and Senior level performance judge for ALSA.  Niki writes for Llama Banner, Backcountry Llama, American Livestock and a few other smaller publications.  Much of Niki's time is spent educating people on llamas and basic care.  She also started a llama chatlist called "Llama Info" to help new people learn how to take care of their llamas.  Niki organizes local vet information days and gelding days where people can take advantage of a group rate for getting their llamas gelded.   Niki was a full time alternative high school teacher, teaching Agricultural Science among many other things.  Currently she is a substitute teacher at a local high school.
  For more information about Niki or her farm, please go to:http://www.nas.com/~jnkllamas or e-mail her at jnkllamas@nas.com

Related resources

• ALSA - Our sanctioning show organization.

• Show Tips

 

Lavona Fercho

 

Niki Kuklenski and Eagle