Message from the President

Wow, this year has flown by!! Little did I realize how busy we on the board would be as we worked through the business affairs of TXOLAN Alpaca Association, Inc. It started out kind of like a snowball rolling downhill… the pace went from kind of slow and easy then as the year progressed and we began to deal with all things relating to the show, there was an ever increasing action packed pace until the show is now just thundering down the straight-away. I hope you all realize how lucky you are to have the quality of a board of directors that you have. I have been blessed and proud to work with all of them and folks, they do work at the business of building and presenting the TXOLAN EVENT!!

Across the nation there has been somewhat of a decline in the number and size of alpaca shows due to, among other things, the costs of production, travel, showing, etc. and we did not want the TXOLAN EVENT to become part of any decline, so we set about seeking ways to increase revenue, amp up the showing experience and opportunity and to still make it a fun experience to attend and participate in the activities of the EVENT.

We decided to try some new things, such as add an extra show, the Bluebonnet Stakes. Since our event is so early in the year, the extra show under a separate judge would give folks an early opportunity to begin evaluating their show string with looks from two different judges. Holding two shows on the same weekend provides exhibitors two evaluation opportunities at a reduced cost per show since there is only one trip cost, one hotel cost, one stall cost, etc. In addition to adding an extra halter show, we wanted to give the more Novice breeder/exhibitors an opportunity to show against their peers (in this case other Novices) for Novice ribbons but to also have the opportunity to compete for a color championship in their classes. So, we added in the Novice Classes to the new Bluebonnet Stakes. We are delighted to produce an event offering two full shows for the first time at TXOLAN, but that is not all, in addition, we are offering exhibitors a Walking Fleece Class, Performance Classes and a full Fleece Show!! Is that all…. heck no it is not all… TXOLAN is offering a full day, Friday, of continuing education sessions with experts in a variety of categories. What else do you ask? Wellllll...

Another of the “new things” is, we wanted to develop an online TXOLAN App that you can easily access from your mobile device in addition to having our standard event show book. The app will be available all year for your viewing pleasure. We have had to work on it right up to show time… so we are looking forward to sharing it with you.

Technical things we are providing, not-withstanding, we are hoping that the hard work of preparing and showing your animals will not be without rewards this year!!!! We wanted to make certain we offered our members, exhibitors and inquisitive noobies some additional fun, so we have scheduled our Meet N Greet in the Arena on Friday night right after the halter classes end, where folks can mix and mingle, nosh on really yummy hors d’oeuvres from circulating servers, refresh at a cash bar all while listening to a cowboy crooning Country Tunes up close and in-person! If that were not enough entertainment, we, spearheaded by Jayme and Dustin Haney, Alpacas of Aledo, have organized what we hope you will come away saying, was a really exciting and fun evening! We have scheduled a cash bar to open in the Cactus Room right after the show ends on Saturday evening, with dinner a little later followed by auctioning off some pretty neat goodies in the fundraising live auction. After that, for the highlight of the evening, the Haney’s have booked in the NYNY Dueling Pianos show, featuring two baby grand piano players and singers on stage along with a cool drummer to entertain us throughout the rest of the evening.

As it is every year, producing an event that services the industry, provides professional and amateur opportunities to evaluate and promote their breeding and showing programs, learn more through continuing education and still have a good time by all is a rather daunting task! If you see one of our volunteers doing things to help move the show along… take the time to thank them because they are an invaluable resource that we are so fortunate to enjoy! If time allows, be sure to stop by the AOA booth and say hi to our new AOA Executive Director, Ms. Robin Gifford who will be our guest for the weekend. Please do take notes because when it is all over and the dust settles, we will be coming back to you with a show follow-up survey where you can share your thoughts, compliments, complaints and suggestions for our 2020 and 2021 TXOLAN EVENTs! I look forward to seeing and visiting with you all.

Bob Pulse, President TXOLAN ALPACA Association, Inc.