CONGRATULATIONS to Lindsey Betz and the Betz Family Farm on the purchase of Vintage Cashmere's U-Taupe-ia. Taupie will be greatly missed at Rare Gem Alpacas but he leaves behind a number of lovely offspring to grace our herd for years to come! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Taupie is a striking appaloosa harlequin male that is on a roll for throwing spotted and harlequin offspring. He has sired 53 offspring and 74 percent are either appaloosa or harlequin! While dam selection has a significant influence on such outcomes, it should be noted that the majority of the dams Taupie has been bred to have no genetic influence on this outcome. So for those that don't have existing foundation girls with appy / harlequin lineage-- Taupie has proven to be capable of passing along his appy genetics and produce desired results. So how does this happen? Only part of that story is known, but what we DO know is that certain lines of known appy gene carriers are much more "expressive" than others. Taupie just happens to be one of those. His heritage boasts appaloosa genetics on both sides of his lineage with Aussie Rockford out of Hannahruh on his sire's side and Chiquita Import on his dam's side. In April 2016, Taupie's progeny debuted in the show ring taking a blue in walking fleece and the blue in halter at the California Classic. This first boy was then followed by another appaloosa female and then another appy male-- both very similar to the first. The fourth cria, however, is something extra special! This little girl has expressed every color on the chart, not one pattern-- just speckles and spots from nose to toes-- Rare Gem U-Taupe-ia's Appletini! The unique coloring of this cria looks as though the color from Taupie's Grand Dam, Chiquita Import, is coming through and producing the rarest of rare gems-- her beautiful color seems to morph before your eyes! As much fun as it is to talk about Taupie's progeny... more about him! Taupie has a spotted face, spotted belly, spotted legs, and a beautiful solid platinum-taupe blanket. His top line is a nice medium silver grey, then blending into light silver grey down the sides. UPDATE: 2/2019 Leoopard appaloosa offspring, Sleepy Acres App-solutely Adorable "Dorie", takes Reserve Color Champion at Txolan! Congratulations!!

UPDATE: 6/8/21 - Roxy has blessed us with another beautiful harlequin appaloosa. This boy looks just like his full sister-- Stella born in 2017. He was born 19 lbs., unassisted. Roxy is a fabulous foundation female-- tons of milk and very maternal. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 2017 - Oh, my, oh, my!!! Did Roxie ever deliver?! 316 day gestation--16 pound female! This cria is everything Rare Gem Alpacas breeding program aspires to. Unique? Well, not only is the coloration stunning, her fleece as a newborn at only 316 days gestation is at least 2 inches long and already full of crimp and character! As I watch her fleece develop, the color has evened out and is a brilliant platinum grey with a lavender tint. This girl has one spunky personality and thinks she is a mini Roxie already! She has taken on the youngest cria of the group, Silky Sam, I Am and watches over him and bosses him around like he is her own!! Yep, she is going to be one great mom! * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Roxie is a full Peruvian 3/8 Accoyo gal sired by Legacy son PHA Peruvian Taos. Roxie is the first female produced by the pairing of Taos and Isabella. She is also the full sister to multi color champion BMF Tao's Zeppelin and the multi blue ribbon winner BMF Tao's Pearl Jam! Just like her champion brothers, Roxie brings a well balanced frame and clean top line. She is true to type with strong substance of bone. Her fleece is fine and silky smooth just like her brothers! Her current photos show the volumes of fleece she will produce as well as excellent staple length. Roxie's EPDs are within the top 5% in four (4) categories!! She is a high quality foundation producer and has what it takes to throw amazing fiber and color across all phases! Roxie's dad, Taos, a stunning Legacy son, had a 22.9 AFD at 7 yrs. Her mom tested at 21.3 AFD at 7 years as well.