Day 5 ~ The Grand Finale

Well, that’s that. Another County Fair Week has ended for Woodhaven. Even as we staggered out the Yellow Gate this evening, dusty and sticky and bloated and corn dog tired, I was wistful and already looking forward to next year. We got the inside of our right wrists stamped with a blue inky blob that might be a sheep, just in the off chance we change our minds and decide to go back later tonight. But, now that we are freshly showered and reacquainting ourselves with our kittens who have only seen us awake for brief snippets the past week, we are official done with The Fair 2010. Sniffle.

It was a hot, windy day that started so early I barely remember it. After returning home from taking Zeke to the airport (big sniffle), I napped a little, and then we headed to the fair shortly after it opened because we had a job to do.

Rob will have a different version involving anything to save a buck, but my story is that Lori very graciously invited both Rob and me to participate in this year’s Open Class Llama Obstacle Course competition using her llamas. As a thank you for providing some new blood to the competition, Rob and I were allowed to purchase a highly discounted fair and parking pass. This saved us enough money to make a nice dent in the loan Rob took out last Monday to fund my gluttony. Today was the competition, so we brought our waterproof shoes and arrived at the Llama Greenway by 10:30am.

Rob and I competed in two different classes based on the experience of the llamas. Rob led Smokey through the course. Since Smokey has placed at least third in this competition before, he is considered an Experienced Llama. No matter that Rob had never set foot in a show ring before today. I, on the other hand, lead Smokey last year (giving me oh-so-minimal show ring experience) but today I lead little Beni, an adorable 1.5 year old who is in training to become a therapy llama. It was the first time Beni had ever been in the obstacle competition. So, Beni and I were in the Novice Llama class.

Rob and I tried to ask enough questions and we attended the course walk-though prior to the event. But we were left somewhat confused since the explainer gal simply said things like “And next you go through the Serpentine followed by the Teeter totter…” not bothering to explain what exactly one and one’s llama are supposed to do with, to, or about these obstacles.

Last year’s inaugural foray into Open Class taught me (the hard way) to stand to the left of the llama and hold the lead in my right hand with my hand on top. Despite my competiveness, I shared these nuggets with Rob. I also made a mental note to bring water-happy shoes this year since you get points deducted if you don’t walk through the kiddie pool that you want your llama to walk though. Unfortunately, I didn’t know that the shoes needed both closed toes and a closed heel, so my tennis shoes got nice and squishy today. Rob’s water shoes were fine.

The Experienced Llama class went first and Rob and Smokey competed against ten other pairs. Rob did a fantastic job, leading Smokey easily through the key hole, up and around the round bridge, and under the teepee. Most impressively, Rob got Smokey to back up, something even Lori had some difficulty with (Lori was one of Rob’s competitors, and yes, the same llama can compete more than once with different handlers). As we watched, Lori said she thought Rob was doing a great job and would probably place higher than her. So we were all stunned when Rob came in 10th out of 11. The judge very generously came over to Rob afterwards and shared that the reason he placed so low was that he held the lead rope below his knees throughout most of the obstacles. This safety-oriented requirement was news to Rob…as well as Lori. The judge shared a few more tips on lead management which we tucked away for next year (next year!!).


Next up: The Novice Llama class. Beni and I were the third pair to go through. I was rather nervous, both because Beni had never competed in this event before and because part of the course required me to crawl under a teepee with Beni hopefully following me. I stared at that teepee for a long time and watched other handlers closely, hoping to find the back-friendliest way to navigate it. As it turned out, Beni was a champ and popped right through, almost making it out before I did.

It wasn’t only the teepee that Beni did great with. He trotted through the whole course with excitement and stayed right with me. But, he wasn’t too keen about the water, and he never really understood that I wanted him to go backwards. And he didn’t jump over the bars. But that was also my fault since I’m not much of a jumper either. All in all, I thought Beni did an absolutely fantastic job despite his handler. As they announced the winners, I expected to be 7th or 8th out of 10. There was much rejoicing when Beni and I took 4th place and got his very first pink ribbon! With a gold-embossed llama head!!


Later, over a burger and an Italian chopped salad, Rob and I realized we were both thinking the same thing about next year: “must Google llama obstacle course judge requirements.” And yes, llama lust, competition, tightwadiness…call it what you want…there will be a next year for Rob and Toni’s Adventures with the Llama Obstacles.

As for today’s menu, you will see that I petered out. Yes, my shorts are a little tight, my ankles are still puffy, my wedding ring indentation is severe, my forehead needs blotting, and my GI track is a trooper but waving the white flag. Not to mention, my binge buddy went home. Sniffle. And with that, the final entry for the County Fair Food Feast and Fest 2010:

Breakfast: An Irish Sundae with The Works. I realized that in my normal non-Fair life, the only thing on that potato that I would normally have was the chives. But today, bring on the butter, cheese, sausage, bacon, and sour cream! Oh, and a big Pepsi for the sugar and caffeine rush.

A little pre-obstacle snack: toffee crunch ice cream bar.

My last supper: I decided to ease back into my normal eating habits with a salad. But this one had ham and pepperoni and cheese, too. Mmmm. And, wow, do I look tired.

A Fairwell Snack: frozen strawberry lemonade. See ya next year!