Chlesea Daghita was awarded first place in the Intermediate Category (ages 11 to 15) in the Sydney Royal Alpaca Youth Paraders Showmanship Division. 

Having owned and spent time around alpacas for less than two years this was quite an achievement for the young Lumen Christi student. 

“We only started working with alpacas in January last year,” Chelsea said. “I used to be so scared of them, I was so afraid to walk behind the animals because I thought I would get kicked.”

There were around 10 other people in Chelsea’s category and the competition was fierce with a triple tie for second place. 

“When they called out all the second place winners it took a while for me to realise they hadn’t said my name, I thought they had made a mistake. I couldn’t believe that I had won.”

Her achievement was made more impressive by the fact that Chelsea did not show her own alpaca, instead showing Jandarra Tiana, an alpaca owned by Pambula breeder Robert Crewe. 

Jandarra Tiana was also awarded first in her halter class of intermediate brown female 12-18months.  

Chelsea’s mum, Jennie Kershaw, the owner of Yarrawood Alpacas in Locheil, said she was beaming with pride when her daughter received the award. 

“Chelsea has learnt so much in the past year and her confidence has grown.”

Chelsea has also become a junior committee member of the Australian Alpaca Youth Group.

“We’re hoping to encourage local, enthusiastic youth interested in alpacas to become involved in events involving this wonderful animal,” Ms Kershaw said.