Owen Raines is a second year 4-H member in the Potomac Valley Club. He won the Outstanding Llama Herdsmanship trophy during the 2016 Western Montana Fair with his llama Cubby.
Potomac 4-H member Owen Raines and his llama project Cubby snuggling together at the 2016 Western Montana Fair.
MISSOULA - Owen Raines, a Potomac Valley 4-Her along with his two-year-old Escondido Llama 'Cubby' competed in numerous events at the 2016 Western Montana Fair in Missoula, Mont. Together they won the Outstanding Llama Herdsmanship trophy along with other awards.
It is Owen's second year in 4-H, and he took the Llama project because he really wanted a llama. The project is pretty new to him, according to his mother Nickie. Owen has owned Cubby for a little over a year and a half.
In preparation for the fair, Owen encountered some challenges along the way in training Cubby. "In the PR course I had to walk backwards [with Cubby]," he said.
The PR class is the Public Relations Obstacle Course on how llamas and their handlers do in crowded and public situations.
During the PR course, Owen and Cubby got to the part where Owen had to back Cubby between rows of cones. "You could see him think a minute, then he just started swinging the rope between his two hands gently so the loop barely touched Cubby's chest as he was facing him," said Nickie. Then they slowly worked backwards through the cones.
"The judge was so excited and was so proud of him figuring it out and working gently with the llama; taking his time and not getting frustrated," Nickie added.
Other training involved walking and practicing for their classes along with help from his 4-H llama leader Geri Ball from Missoula. Owen would regularly visit Cubby at his stable. They took walks up the road and through the woods.
During the fair, Raines participated in his share of barn duty with Cubby. "I did a lot of work cleaning and taking care of Cubby," he said.
After their hard work together, Raines and Cubby won the Outstanding Llama Herdsmanship trophy sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Missoula. "I also got a bunch of ribbons," said Raines.
Raines and Cubby won awards in the Halter class, the PR class, Obstacle Course, Showmanship, Wool, and in the Costume Contest, according to Nickie.
Raines said he enjoyed his 4-H llama project and that Cubby never spits at him. He will continue training with Cubby and take the llama project again. "He is a good friend and he likes people," Raines said. "I got to be with my llama and he gives me kisses."
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