Classic Llamas, Classic Llama, Classics, Packer Llamas

Classic Llamas ~*~ Classic Pack Llamas ~*~ Classic Llama

Be forewarned.......

It has recently become common for the llama community to mislabel any shorter wooled llama as "classic." Many do not truly understand what a classic llama is and still fewer understand that just because it is classic, doesn't mean it is good. It has now become a buzz word for some breeders trying to sell their llamas that truly aren't suited for work on the trail or in the showring. Many light wools are NOT classics - they don't shed out and have to be shorn instead. Many outwardly classic-looking llamas are NOT from classic bloodlines........they are accidents (mutts) from mostly woolly ancestry and will NOT breed true. To make matters worse, there are groups of people trying to label quality packers through their own personal criteria without truly testing the abilities of these llamas on the trail. PROOF is only done through being on the trail, everything else is just talk and marketing!

In 2004 we began the first acquistion of our now blossoming classic keeper herd. True classics are rare and hard to find. Most either do not have classic pedigrees or lack the conformation needed to survive longer than a couple of pack seasons. We have tried to seek out animals for our program with longevity, strong conformation and thinner athletic builds. It has taken us years and searching through hundreds of llamas, to find the animals that we currently have. We are still searching for more to add, and have had little to no luck. Many packers we see are post legged, down in the fetlocks (aka pasterns) or are just not well put together. To make matters worse, there is a huge emphasis on looking for BIG llamas for packing. There is no factual or rational information that supports that bigger is better for trail work. It is is a highly over rated marketing ploy used by a few breeders that don't actually understand what happens when you breed to extremes in livestock. As we have studied and gone over thousands of pedigrees and historical information, we now know that the optimum height for longterm soundness is 43-46 inches at the withers. Unfortunately too, some breeders do not know how to accurately measure a llamas height and tend to exaggerate the actual height of the llama.

Our classic male Anders Tobias is an outstanding performer on the trail, even with no conditioning prior to trips. While we wouldn't recommend this for the average llama, it does demonstrate his superior conformation and atheletic attributes. Toby also packs 90+lbs easily and was born in 1994, so he isn't young by most breeders standards. In addition he started his show career at the age of twelve and is an ALSA Halter Champion and PLTA certified Master Packer. To our knowledge, he is the ONLY male in the show system who is classic and holds both of these titles. Toby's whole pedigree is classic lineage. We were fortunate to obtain Toby when his owner decided to quit breeding and retired. Toby hails from the Rocky Mountain Handsome Line, known for it's packing abilities and stamina. Toby is an exceptional packer who has several offspring packing for people and a very long waiting list for his future offspring. Talk to anybody that has been out with him and they will tell you his work ethic is like no other llama they have seen!

Our oldest classic female Aster, is dam to the top show llama in the nation, Isle Eagle. He is also a PLTA certified Master Packer. Aster was born in 1988 and is still upright and strong on her fetlocks, back and structure. Her dam is still alive and was born in 1982, she is also sound and structurally healthy. Aster's babies are always in demand and she will be enjoying retirement in the near future! Aster's last two sons are both exceptional packers already and have been quick to train for the trail. One is also driving for his owner.

We are fortunate to obtain (from our friends Jim and Gwen from Lost Creek Llamas) a Rocky Mountain Jester daughter in our herd. Rocky Mountain Sunshine was born in 1996 and entered the showring for the first time in the Fall of 2008. There at the very first classic division, she took a Reserve Grand Classic female behind her sister Rocky Mountain Legacy. Sunshine has been regularly cleaning up in halter here in the NW and we are hoping to get her on the trail after her 2010 cria is weaned next year. This girl has an awesome coat and great structure, she is being shown until her next cria is due.

Rocky Mountain Legacy is the girl that we call "eye candy" around here. Legacy was cherry picked out of Bobra Goldsmith's longtime classic breeding program in 2007 and she has not disappointed us ever. Co-owned with Niki's 92 year old Grandmother, Legacy has won the NW regionals in 2007+2008 and in one year racked up 10 Grands in halter and the 2008 National Reserve Grand Champion Light Wool Female. Legacy also won the very first ALSA Classic Female division offered in the Fall of 2008. Legacy and Sunshine's dam, Bett's Supaya (born in 1986), has produced numerous classic packers and is still alive. Supaya is still completely sound and her fetlocks are strong at her age. Legacy descends from the Rocky Mountain Spook and Inca lines, which are both known for tbeir work ethic and packing abilities.

Lost Creek Ranger Ceilidh, a Ranger Dusty daughter, has joined our herd on a special lease from Lost Creek Llamas. We feel very fortunate that they have entrusted us with this precious Ranger Dusty daughter. Ranger Dusty, born in 1984, was always known in the showing and packing circles as being a superior performance llama and all-around athlete. Dusty packed and drove well into his mid-20's, remaining completely sound in his back and fetlocks. He consistently packed long days with full loads on demanding terrain (sometimes for 20+ miles) without prior conditioning. Ceilidh's dam Ramblin' Rosie, is a lovely classic outcross female with excellent structure and a really short sparse coat. We think Ceilidh will cross well with our Anders Tobias.

Our friends at Lost Creek Llamas, allowed us to purchase Ramblin' Rosie from them. Rosie has a "to die for" short classic coat. In addition to her very short coat, Rosie has really nice conformation. Rosie's two sons (Lost Creek Credo and Lost Creek Troubadour) that have remained at Lost Creek Llamas have both been winning extensively in the showring here in the Northwest. We have been impressed with Rosie's production with PLTA Master Packer Sky Rocket and hope she produces equally as well with our Toby.

If you do want to learn more about the criteria that is used in the selection of whether a llama is classic or not, I would highly recommend you go to the International Lama Registry (see classic llama focus group work) to see a clear definition.

If you are considering buying a classic-looking llama for breeding, or wondering whether you should breed your classic-appearing llama, research the animal's full ancestry in the International Lama Registry database to be sure the llama was intentionally produced from classic bloodlines and can be expected to produce classic llamas. Classic llamas that have been screened as classics are listed within the database under their profile. If you are considering buying a classic llama (or any llama) for packing, we suggest testing the animal through PLTA trials or similar repeated on-trail testing, or else purchasing a PLTA certified packer that is already proven to meet the criteria for the type of hiking you will do.

Our bottom line goal is to produce classics that are built to last for many years on the trail! If you would like to be put on our growing waiting list for quality bred classics, please contact us.

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