Since one of our Classifiers, Cheryl Gehly, is an AOA Certified Senior Fleece Judge, we want to clarify the AOA Show Rules regarding showing in front of her in addition to having a SHIP Classification done on your herd. Cheryl is a Fleece Judge only and thus must follow rules related to Fleece Show judging, specifically:
Chapter 6. Rules Relating to Exhibitors and Handlers
Section 2.
H. In the event that a Judge is hired to provide a herd evaluation (in this case S.H.I.P.), consultation or conduct a seminar and in so doing assesses the shorn fleece from any or all alpacas, those specific shorn fleeces are prohibited from being shown in front of that Judge in a Fleece Show.
Due to the anonymous nature of Fleece Show judging, no conflict exists as long as the S.H.I.P. Classification occurs on full fleece alpacas. Once shorn, those fleeces are eligible to be entered in a show in which Cheryl is a judge. The 9-month rule does not apply.
Walking Fleece Shows are Fleece competitions and the same rules follow. However, given the public nature of the Walking Fleece Show, where the exhibitor accompanies the alpaca to the class for evaluation, the Rules Relating to Judges section of the AOA Show Handbook states the following:
H. The Judge shall not be a house guest of any exhibitor within the week prior to, during, or the week following the show.
In the event that a S.H.I.P. Classification occurs within 9 months prior to a Walking Fleece Show where Cheryl is the Judge, those alpacas and their owners are prohibited from showing in front of her. If other alpacas on the farm were not part of the S.H.I.P. Classification and not evaluated by Cheryl, those animals may be entered in the Walking Fleece Show, but the owner must appoint a handler to show an eligible alpaca on their behalf.