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Judges
David Barboza
Walking Fleece and Youth Performance
David Barboza volunteering as a ring steward recognized the process and challenges that livestock judging presented and decided to attend the International Alpaca Judging School in 2001. After returning from Peru he began the AOA judges training program and completed his certification in both IAJS and AOA as a halter, fleece, and performance judge. He judged his first show in 2006 and has judged over 45 shows both in the US and Canada.
David served a 3 year term on the AOBA board serving as Secretary and President. Promoting youth involvement in alpacas he has been instrumental in developing alpaca youth judging contests throughout the US. To expand his knowledge of livestock, David is currently enrolled in Graduate Studies at Colorado State University. After serving 29 years in the fire service David continues to serve as a soldier in the California State Military Reserve and Mission Pilot in the Civil Air Patrol. He works in the alpaca industry dividing his time between his ranch, judging, and teaching seminars. In 2006, together with his wife Brenda, they started ACE, Alpaca Continuing Education, which provides cutting edge training and education for the alpaca breeder. Today David and Brenda run their ranch, RanchoNC Alpacas, in the foothills of Northern California and devote their attention to the alpaca industry.
Sara Jane Maclennan
Fleece Show and Walking Fleece
Sara Jane Maclennan has been an AOA Certified Judge since 2005, and is a Judge Trainer for the Judge Apprenticeship Program. She has judged both halter and fleece shows across the United States and Canada. Sara Jane is committed to a fair and thorough examination of all alpacas entered in shows as well as clear oral reasons for placement.
Breeder education is Sara Jane’s prime objective both in judging and in working with breeders. She has taught many seminars on breeding strategies, selection, and fleece evaluation, and conducted numerous herd evaluations. To promote alpaca health, she has raised significant funds for the University Veterinary Hospitals in both Colorado and Kansas.
In 1971, while living and working in South America, Sara Jane encountered her first alpaca herds. She and her husband Hugh began Dundee Farm in 1996. They designed and built their farm beside the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Sedalia Colorado, where they stand several huacaya studs.
Sara Jane is an urban designer and has spent her professional career working on large scale downtown revitalization and transportation projects in the United States, Canada, Eastern Europe, and Asia.
Arturo Pena
Halter Show
Arturo Pena is from Arequipa, Peru. He has an educational background in animal science and management. In 2003, he moved to the United States, since then he has been working as a herd manager for large alpaca farms operation. His fascination for alpacas and its luxury product "The Fleece" motivated him to get into the AOBA Judging Apprentice Program. He completed his training and become an AOBA Certified Halter, Performance and Fleece Judge for both Huacayas and Suris. Arturo, his wife Kat and son Nicholas recently moved to the East Coast area.
Arturo believes that education and mentoring are the keys to promote and develop a strong Alpaca industry.
