FAR from their Andean homeland, four Herefordshire-born llamas have trekked off with a pannier full of prizes at a premier national show.

Described by judges as a perfect llama, 14-month-old female Loupin Stanes was awarded the supreme championship at the British Llama Society’s national show at Newbury in Berkshire, a tremendous feather in the cap for Amanda Huntley and Robert Dewar who run their Golden Valley Llamas farm in Ewyas Harold.

The level of the farm’s success brought delight for the couple, who believe all the work they have put into their breeding programme over the past 12 years is paying real dividends.

Apart from the top award, the farm scooped wins with 11-year-old Long Meg who took first prize in the older female class, while Kilpeck took the young male class. Kilpeck’s older brother, Stonehenge saw off challengers from many other farms across the UK to gain the prized Gelding Cup.

Amanda expressed her delight at the success, explaining how proud she is that Herefordshire is now the leading county in the country for llamas for the pet market, for fibre production, or those hoping to start a llama-trekking business.

Loupin Stanes was seen as a “supreme example of the llama” by the judge. She “fulfilled all the essential requirements for a field pet - good proportions, strong bones, the right degree of flexibility in the leg and a correctly aligned jaw”. The praise did not stop there. She was praised for a coat of fine texture and lustre, a bright eye and that special something - in her case, a “touch of the minx”.

Her brother, Kilpeck was additionally awarded first place in the all-important llama fibre competition. Llama fleece is seven times warmer than sheep wool, and it is hypo-allergenic, making it suitable for people unable to wear wool.

Amanda spins and weaves the llamas’ coats into attractive rugs and bags, and looks forward to working on Loupin and Kilpeck’s coats when they are sheared next year. Meanwhile, Robert offers a hands-on experience, a chance to groom a llama and take it for a trek around the village.