Roger Clarke, Clogher Valley, Northern Ireland, is set to officiate as halter judge across the waters at the Australian Alpaca Association’s national show.
The flagship event will run from Friday, August 18th, 2023, through to Sunday, August 20th, 2023, inclusive, at the Bendigo Showgrounds, Victoria (Regional Events Complex).
He will share the stage with fellow halter judge, Molly Gardner from New Zealand and fleece judge, Peter Kennedy Gane from Australia.
Amberly Alpacas
Roger and his wife, Elaine, established Amberly Alpacas in 2006 in Northern Ireland’s picturesque Clogher Valley.
One of the very first breeders in Ireland, the couple have worked tirelessly to continually develop and improve their herd and now pride themselves on being one of the most successful, experienced, and influential herds on the island of Ireland.
Keeping a mixed herd of huacaya and suris, the Clarkes have multiple supreme championship awards for their alpacas under their belts, including the Supreme Champion Huacaya at the 2019 BAS National Show.
Members of the British Alpaca Society, the Northern Ireland Alpaca Group and the Alpaca Association of Ireland, the couple have also worked through various stages of alpaca-related training to become Ireland’s first BAS affiliate training couple.
In 2019, they set up the Alpaca Education Centre of Ireland, from which they deliver and host a wide range of training and educational events.
Previously, www.thatsfarming.com interviewed Trevor and Rita Wilson of Gainne Mor Alpacas in Co Down, who were guided by the Clarke family on the best qualities to seek in a fleece – you can read this interview via this link.
Roger’s particular interest in genetic advancement culminated in 2019 when he became the first person on the island of Ireland to qualify as a BAS-certified judge for both halter and fleece.
Since qualifying, he has enjoyed the honour of judging right across the globe, including The Alpaca Expo in Austria, The Melbourne Royal Show in Australia and the BAS National Fleece and Halter Show in the UK.
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