By Jordan Studer
jstuder@wbcowqel.com
While many were relaxing on their Sunday, a crowd gathered at the fairgrounds to watch the Alpaca Show.
Taking the title of both Senior Showman and overall Grand Champion was Andy Brause. When asking Brause what struck his interest in such a unique animal, he gave all of the credit to some friends of his family’s.
“Myron Campbell and Rhonda opened up themselves to us and it was something different. It’s something that everybody doesn’t really get the opportunity to show,” Brause explained.
He then continued on to say that he also brought pigs to this year’s fair, but he enjoys working with his alpaca, Cassie, much more than the pigs. He mentions how alpacas cooperate a lot better than pigs do, which can make spending time working with the alpacas so much more enjoyable.
Although Brause has taken alpacas for three years, he explained how this is the best he has ever done in any animal show.
“I’ve never done this great. In any species,” Brause, a man of few words, expressed his excitement to the point.
When asking Brause what he would tell someone who is just starting off their career in showing alpacas he replied with some guidance.
“Work with them and talk to them. Mainly just spend time with them as much as you can,” the champion advised.
In future years, Brause is looking forward to the continuation of his love for showing alpacas.