The results came back from the skin biopsy which are very favourable: Below is a write up from Jim Watts, MV. Sc, Ph.D: He is a rather special male!!! Jim Watts analysis: The 14 month old alpaca, FDA Rembrandt, has high levels of fiber density and fiber length. The density reading of 67.7 follicles per square millimeter will be lower when the animal reaches mature body size, but not sufficient to alter the fact that it is a high density animal. This view is supported by the high level of secondary follicle development that has occurred - a secondary follicle to primary follicle ratio of 13.5 to 1 is exceptional for an alpaca. The primary fibers and secondary fibers are fine in diameter (means of 24.5 microns and 17.6 microns respectively) and very uniform in diameter (standard deviations of fiber diameter of 2.9 microns respectively). Note the low level of medullation (13%) in the secondary fiber population - a feature that is sought and only accompanies alpacas with a very fine and uniform fleeces. The fibers are growing in length at the fast rate of 0.55 millimeters per day.

Bloodlines, quality and cuteness all wrapped up in one! Isabella’s fleece looks just as beautiful in person as it does in the picture, and then add her fineness, bundling and staple length. Isabella’s sire, Snowmass Elite Iceman, not only holds an amazing 14 championships, he at 5 years of age, carries a very fine fleece with a 5 year AFD of 17.7. His skin biopsy at 4 years of age tested 80 follicles per sq mm and showed no medulation and an AFD of 16.97.

Ricochet is the amazing result of crossing our Majestic's Dominant, a Jumanji Son, with one of our many Elite Maximus Girls. Dominant, like his Sire, carries a beautiful dense fleece with a tight crimp structure from his top knot to his toes. All of this on a rock-solid frame. Ricochet's Dam, Sugarland's Sedona, is a light fawn super fine girl with perfect conformation and a sweet personality. It's no surprise that Ricochet has such extreme fineness given his Grandsire is The Elite Maximus, who carried a low micron fleece way into his later years. Ricochet was awarded the Reserve Champion in the Halter Class at the 2020 AOA Nationals at just 8 months of age. The Fawn Classes were huge and the competition was tough so we were very honored that he received such an awesome placement. Update April 12, 2022- Dominant's Ricochet of Sugarland was awarded the prestigious Futurity Male Judges Choice this weekend in Kansas City. What a wonderful ride it has been and we have always felt blessed to have the privilege of showing Ricochet and to be by his side in the ring. We made the choice several months ago to have The Futurity be the final halter show for our boy so it is both exciting, and humbling to be awarded the Judges Choice at his final walk in the show ring. Ricochet has been awarded a total of 22 Champion Banners and 10 Judges Choice in his show career including 2 AOA National Supreme Champions. And now, at just 33 months of age, it is time for Ricochet to begin a new chapter and join our Herdsire row at Sugarland Ranch. We will be offering a limited number of outside breedings to Ricochet each year beginning in 2023. Please contact us to reserve a breeding. We have matched Ricochet up with some of our elite females and will have offspring available in 2023.