On this page: About the Clinics | Clinic Contents & Schedule | Host Requirements

About Winning Edge Clinics

Consider hosting a Winning Edge Clinic at your llama farm to promote your business and educate people about the llama industry!

Hosting a Winning Edge Clinic allows you to show off a little, talk llamas, have fun and learn some new tricks of the show trade. We will plan a fun, very informative, casual weekend for 15 - 18 attendees. Being the host ranch of a Winning Edge Clinic gives you the opportunity to offer the weekend clinic to your surrounding or out-of state llama friends and colleagues in two ways: You may (1) invite your llama clients or friends to show them your appreciation for their business at no charge or (2) offer the two-day clinic to attendees for a fee. You will see a profit if all 15 attendees are paying participants.

Take a moment to look at the clinic outline below and also there is a list of items you would need to host a "WE" Clinic, my fees and suggested attendee fees. If you think you may be interested in hosting a Winning Edge Clinic, simply email me at , or give me a call at: 719-742-6126 for more details and available dates. Thank you for your time and consideration of this offer. I hope to hear from you soon! It should be a great time! —Alaine Byers

About the Clinic Instructor

The Clinic Instructor is Alaine Byers-Holzhauer. She has been a llama breeder since 1980, and she is a retired ALSA Level III judge and the developer of the Lock & Luster grooming products. Alaine has been a Professional Groomer and Handler with over 20 years experience working for some of the most renowned llama ranches in the country. She is presently the herd and show manager for Flightless Farms of Tulsa, OK.

Alaine lives with her husband Rick, three cats and her Shih-tzu, Oscar, in LaVeta, CO (20 miles west of I-25, exit 52), where the scenery is outstanding and visitors are always welcome. She has owned and operated Indian Peaks Llamas since 1980 where the breeding focus is on large, lovely suri and Lanuda llamas.

Clinic Contents and Schedule

Clinic Contents: Techniques for GROOMING and HANDLING

A well groomed llama in the show ring is always an eye catcher. You are not only trying to catch the attention of the judge, but the attention of prospective customers, new llama owners, and colleagues.

A well groomed animal illuminates itself. Healthy, flowing fiber shows off the overall condition of your llama as well as its physical strengths. Learn what it means to "groom according to fiber type."

Learn to do a conformational analysis on the llamas you are considering for the show ring. Learn how to make yourself invisible and your llama stand out. If you are serious about showing your llamas, this clinic is for you. SHOW OFF A LITTLE!! It's good for business! Show off your breeding program, your facilities, or that special cria that is still too young for the show ring.

Day One

• The different fiber types of the llama: Suri, Lanuda, Silky/Single Coat, and Ccara and how to groom accordingly.
• Techniques for:
  • Use of the blower (your most efficient tool)
  • Topline grooming and skim blowing
  • Use of the grooming paddle
  • Or picking, and the associated tools
  • Working with wet fiber
• How to efficiently wash your llama (including cold weather washing and topcoat washing).
• All about Lock 'n Luster grooming products, tools and their most efficient use.
• Remedies for problem areas: mats and felting, green knees, topline blowing and grooming, dealing with dead ends, burrs and weeds.
• Tour of the Host Ranch.

• The "finishing touches:" trimming with hand and electric shears.
• Conformational analysis for the animals you are considering for the show-ring, breeding or purchasing.
• How to groom to enhance the strengths and diminish the faults.
• What the judge is looking for as they watch your animal stand, move out and perform their hands-on.
• The basics of show ring training: Gain your llama's attention and trust while on the move, squaring off, and on turns and judge's hands-on.
• The basics of handling: centered movement through voice command and invisible cues, making yourself invisible to the judge and at ease handling your llama.

This clinic will answer all your questions about shows and showing and any other topics of interest you would like to address. We will make a point to 'mingle and discuss' our favorite subject: Llamas!

Shows can be your best marketing tool or your worst advertising….— J. Mallon

Learn how YOU can compete and Win with Winning Edge Clinics.

Host Requirements

Here is what you will need to host a Winning Edge Clinic…

FACILITIES:
1. A Large enough area, preferably indoors or with shade to accommodate up to twenty people).
2. Area for guest parking.
3. Provide lunch for two days for all guests and participants.
4. Wash area, well drained with solid footing and grooming chute.
5. A clean area for llamas to dry.
6. Located near hotels and restaurants.

EQUIPMENT:
1. A stout, well-made grooming chute (a medical chute may be used also).
2. A circuiteer blower
3. Electricity
4. Good lighting
5. Seating (chairs or covered hay bales).
6. An assortment of buckets and towels and spray bottles.
7. Electric and hand shears (let me know if I need to ship mine).
8. A Table
9. If you own a pressure washer for grooming, we can spend some time on its use.

LLAMAS: Llamas that exhibit the different fiber types to be used during the clinic:

Suri — fleece will be straight, lacking crimp, draping close to the body with very distinctive, well defined lock structure. Given the few suris in the US, we can use llamas with distinct lock definition described below. Grooming methods are very similar. Perhaps one of your guests would be interested in having their Suri groomed.
Lanuda — fleece exhibits a defined lock structure, from a tight wave to a 'roped' appearance, single coat or double coat. Also known as 'Suri-type' or 'North American Suri.'
Silky/Single Coat — a single coated fleece that may exhibit loose waves, also known as 'silky'.
Ccara — a double coat with crimp. Fiber is fluffy in appearance. Also known as a 'classic' or 'light wool'.

You will need several llamas for demonstrating the basics of:

• Problems with mats, vegetable matter, felting, or damaged fiber.
• Conformational analysis.
• Show ring training/handling.
• Weanling and Yearlings work well for the above.

We will not be handling any Llamas with behavioral problems.

I WILL BE SHIPPING AHEAD OF MY ARRIVAL:

Shampoos, conditioners, assorted brushes and select tools.

FEES:

Instructor fees: $600 + expenses.
Suggested attendee fees: $175 for two day clinic; $250 for two attendees from same farm.

Visit the store for fiber-formulated shampoos and conditioners, stall sheets and grooming paddles.