Fall 2022- Congratulations to Mary Miller of Aspen Alpacas on her purchase of FTAF Privateer. At age 10, Privateer is as handsome as ever and going strong. We are ever so grateful for what he has added to our herd over the years. He has blessed Rare Gem Alpacas and our clients with many amazing champions and foundation offspring. We will miss this sweet dispositioned boy, but happy that he is going to such a great home and program. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Privateer's offspring made their first show appearance March 2019. RG Privateer's First Mate took two 1 firsts and Grey Color Champion in both Halter (out of 17) and Walking Fleece (out of 33). RG Harley's Davidson took first of 13 in his Walking Fleece class and then Reserve Color Champion Walking Fleece (25 total). We can now add "Producer of Champions" to Privateer's list of fine qualities. Privateer’s grey, 3X color champion son sold at 2020 Amber Autumn Auction. Congratulations Jamey Haney on her purchase of this beautiful Privateer offspring. Privateer's 2017 skin biopsy at 5yrs old by Dr. Norm Evans shows a density of 71 follicles/sqmm. SP ratio is 12.1 to 1 with level 4 of 4 gland presence which correlates with what senior judges are referring to as “well-nourished fleeces”. Secondary fibers average 21.9 microns and primary fibers averaging 30.1 giving him a variation of only 8.2 microns. I greatly anticipated the arrival of this guy and he is all that I expected and more. He is out Crown Jewel of PVA and SHVN The Buccaneer (who passes on lingering fineness to his offspring), both of whom are multiple champion animals! What a powerhouse background this guy possesses, The Elite Maximus, Hemingway, Bobbie Ann on the dams side and Pot of Gold, Royal Inca Legend on his sire's side, no wonder he is such a gorgeous animal. Privateer is stunning. As you can see by his fleece, he possesses awesome structure and the brightness to his fleece is blinding. Take that with his gorgeous head and coverage everywhere and we are looking at a boy that will make an excellent herdsire! Privateer's fleece is that "elite" fleece with bundles everywhere and secondary bundles coming out of each bundle, even down to his knee and under his belly and on his chest. He also has dark skin which should allow him to pass color. He has placed well in the shows and has always been up against very tough competition. The animals that placed above him were always from very big farms. So that should tell you where this boys really stands in the line up of future herdsires. Privateer started his breeding career Fall 2016 and has thrown many champions and has champion grand-offspring as well. He tends to throw the color of the female— while significantly upgrading fleece characteristics. If you have a dam that you love the color of and want to look for improvements in AFD (fineness that lasts!), SD, density, crimp, brightness!

Polka-hontis' sire, Apache, has a pedigree packed with outstanding appaloosas and harlequins. It is highly probable that Apache is homozygous meaning you do not have to breed him to another harlequin or appaloosa to get a good chance of producing an appaloosa harlequin offspring. A definite plus for those breeding for spots. Polka-hontis' dam, Forget Me Not, is the daughter of 8X champion sire, Derwydd Luciano's Totora. Totora is a producer of champions and known to throw color when bred to color! Dam also carries Peruvian Platinum in her pedigree for those tracking harlequin/appaloosa genetics and has superb fiber traits including being ranked in the top 1% EPD for %M. UPDATE: November 2022 Polka-hontis gave birth to a tiny, but strong and healthy female harlequin appaloosa sired by champion FTAF's Privateer. Polka-hontis is a great first time mom with ample milk and natural maternal instincts. We have named her adorable lil daughter, Rare Gem Suki. Suki was born 336 days gestation and has gained ~ a half pound per day her first three weeks. She is strong and confident and the other cria can't keep up with her. She has lovely harlequin coloration and personality galore.