THE END OF AN ERA 6PERUVIAN CHACHAPOYA 5110 IMPR98 JANUARY 1, 1997 – MAY 27, 2015 How do you write an obituary for an alpaca….by first talking about his background and then what he meant to you. Chachapoya or “Chach” as we liked to call him came from the famous Don Julio Barreda’s, “Estancia Accoyo Ranch” in Peru. He was in the last importation of Accoyo Suri Alpaca in 1998 and he was hand selected by Don Julio Barreda to come to the United States. He spent most of his life on a farm that mostly bred huacayas so he was seldom used, to this day his bloodline remains rare. His life thereafter remains shrouded in mystery and scandal as he was sold and then repossessed on a foreclosure. Scott and I of Alpacas of El Dorado purchased a female to be specifically bred to this rare herdsire…but he disappeared before we could get her pregnant. Only to find out later that he was purchased by Pucara International Stud, by our friends, Al Cousel and Jude Anderson. We were beyond excited when we were able to purchase a half interest in this male and also bring on a third partner, Dale Davis of Derwydd Alpacas. And thus became my love affair with this truly magnificent alpaca. He is the “Warrior”, truly his eyes have seen more than mine. He was well traveled and accustomed to fitting in to his setting. We felt honored when he came to our ranch to live out his days. Still breeding until just a month ago, he was always loud and boisterous whenever he was allowed to do his job. There are few of us who have the honor of continuing his genetics in their breeding programs by having one or two of his offspring. I say hold these alpacas close to you….the genetics will always be rare and fine. Just recently Chachapoya won a 2nd in Get of Sire Suri at Alpacas Fest West and a 1st Place in Get of Sire Suri Light at the California Classic…..his genetics live on…. Hold on to a piece of history… Right to his end he held his stance, his luster, his look of eagles. It was an absolute honor in knowing him. We see him everyday in his offspring and wish him well, as we know he is with Bruxo, Ganador, Torbio and others…..who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge before him.

SHE'S STILL GOT IT--check out her EPDs below! We couldn't believe our good fortune to win Q'orianka at the AOBA Nationals Show Auction in 2008. Her list of winnings was impressive, and continued to grow to be one of our most impressive "resumes" ever! She has beautiful locking (took "Best Lock" at the 2009 MAPACA show, at 3 years of age!) and luster on a very solid, compact frame. Q'orianka has been an excellent mother to her crias, each of whom has an impressive show career. One of the things I like about Q'orianka is that she has a calm, level headed personality. She's traveled all over the country for shows, and she takes it all in stride. She has been an excellent "auntie" when she has been needed to be a companion to a new mother--she helps nurture the cria (and she appreciates the extra food!) Why do we have Q'orianka listed for sale? We have way too many alpacas on our farm and we simply cannot do the breeding that we would like to do. I feel bad every time I look at this wonderful female--she ought to be breeding and producing outstanding crias on a regular basis. We simply can't use her until we drop our population! Q'orianka is on our farm in the north San Francisco Bay area, Alpacas of Marin.

Accoyo Bracero was a long time in the planning, but he sure was worth the wait! We purchased his dam, grand-dam, and dam's half-sister from a farm in Utah in 2012. His grand-dam, Accoyo America Pearl, was the high selling suri in the 2006 Parade of Champions, selling for $80K. Thus far Pearl has produced 3 champion offspring, including Bracero's dam,Accoyo Belita by Accoyo Rico. As the co-ordinator for the Herdsire Auction for the 2014 AlpacaFest West, I had the opportunity to seek out donations of herdsires with whom I would like to breed my girls. I had Belita in mind when I successfully solicited a donation of champion Young Accoyo Bracito from Apex Alpacas. The rest is history... (Regrettably, Young Accoyo Bracito died shortly after siring Bracero, who is his last offspring) Now, Bracero's dam Belita comes from a line of big alpacas...but did you ever see the BONE on his sire, Bracito??? Our Bracero is average in size but has strong, sturdy bone, yet a graceful, square suri conformation, with a handsome wedge-shaped head and strong jaw line. His fleece is fantastic--Ropey, twisted locks that are organized to the skin. Wade Gease called it a "sparkly luster" that doesn't quit. Uniform locking and loaded with density over the entire extended blanket. And, no wonder--take a look at his pedigree. What can you add to a background of Accoyos Baron, Baron Lafitte, Ramilo, Inca, Rico, Uribe, Bruxo, Ganador, and Apache II? And take a look at his histogram--at 2 1/2 years of age! So, his first time in the show ring, at the 2015 West Coast Alpaca Show, Bracero took a blue ribbon in halter...and THEN the Color Championship....and THEN the SPINNER"S DREAM/JUDGE'S CHOICE!! The judges were Wade Gease and Wini LeBreq. In 2016, Bracero took a blue ribbon in halter at GWAS (no championship class), and in 2017 he took a blue ribbon and RC in halter at the NATIONAL SHOW!! Oooh, we are pleased with him!! Better yet--he has his first girl spitting off!! He certainly has grown up during this adventure.... Sellers reserve 2 breedings, will do as drive-by or pay for dam's agistment. Half interest in Bracero available for the right buyer. Bracero lives at Alpacas of Marin in the North San Francisco Bay Area.