Llama Show honors two members of the llama community
Patti Fischer gives scarves to Janet Fender and Phyllis Wycoff in memory of their husbands, Dennis Fender and Bill Wycoff during the llama show at the fairgrounds on Sunday, Oct. 2. The show was dedicated to their memory. Beth Scott | Beacon
COSHOCTON – The 26th annual llama show at the fair started the event a little differently this year. Two members of the llama community, Dennis Fender and Bill Wycoff passed away this past year and the llama show was dedicated to their memory.
“It’s wonderful because he actually started this (the llama show),” said Janet Fender, Dennis’ wife. “This is an honor.”
Dennis and Janet introduced Coshocton County to llamas in the 1980s and started the llama show at the fair in 1990. Originally, they had seven llamas but that quickly grew to 80. Now, the farm features about 40 head.
“He loved doing it,” said Janet. “He loved his llamas and his llamas loved him. He had one called Lizzy the Llama and she would drink pop out of his hand from a can. He loved that llama.”
“Dennis always wanted an open llama show here at the fair,” said Jean Haumschild. “One of the judges that is here today was also here for the very first llama show. Dennis gave him fish for his pond as payment for judging at the fair.”
That judge was Hank Kauffman, who has shown and judged at the fair multiple times and has been a llama judge all around the world for about 28 years.
“Dennis used to claim we were distant relatives,” said Kauffman. “I’d known him for close to 40 years and we were both founding members of the Ohio River Valley Llama Association back in the early 80s. He was a great guy.”
Bill Wycoff always provided obstacles for the kids llama show.
“Bill always enjoyed being with everybody,” said Phyllis Wycoff, Bill’s wife. “We miss him and we’ll never forget him.”
At the beginning of the show, Patti Fischer presented both Phyllis and Janet with scarves in memory of their husbands.
“It’s really nice and thoughtful because this is one of the areas we always came to for him to do the obstacles,” said Phyllis. “Ever since we started, he’s always done the obstacles, and he enjoyed doing it.”
There are 29 classes in the llama open show, in addition to the 4-H show. Fifteen 4-H students in the county show llamas. According to Kauffman, in the halter class, judges are looking for conformation, how they move and look. In the performance class, judges are looking to see how well the animal completes the obstacles. The 4-H show is mainly judged on showmanship and how the 4-H student moves with their animal.
Sponsors for the llama show include: Rowena Easter, Home Loan Savings Bank, Fischer Funeral Home, Hillside Cabin Farm, East Holmes Vet Clinic, Hermitage Farm, Dr. Donald and Gretchen Waltman, Fenders Fish Hatchery, Todd and Lisa Lupher, Fenders Fish and Llama Farm, Flint Run Valley Farms, Janice Schilling, Owens and Manning Law, Patti Fischer Hair Salon, and Triple H Farm.
Category: Arts & Entertainment
