Meet our Llama Show Judges

Elaine Brovont, Michigantown, Indiana

Elaine Brovont lives in Michigantown, Indiana with her husband, George. In addition to her full-time job as Director of Food Services for the Kokomo School Corporation, she is the 4-H Llama Club Leader in Clinton County Indiana. You will find Elaine's name in the front of the Indiana 4-H Llama Manual as she helped write Indiana's 4-H Llama Books. Elaine's 4-H club has had as many as 45 members in recent years. In 2018 they started a new class for special needs students. Elaine's herd currently includes 22 llamas and alpacas. Elaine has also enjoyed training a camel in the past.

In addition, Elaine has shown camelids for almost 25 years and judged 4-H shows almost 20 years. Elaine became a certified judge for the International Llama Registry in 2013 and judges Fleece, Halter, Youth and Performance classes. Each year Elaine's 4-H Club hosts a training show for Indiana 4-Hers and their families where each person spends special one on one time with a judge to determine how to "Make the Best Better"!

In moments of precious free time Elaine enjoys working with her spinning wheel to create special memories from her llama's fiber. She enjoyed sharing her love of everything her love of everything llama with all - especially her five grandchildren!

Harvey Pool, Abbeville, Georgia

Harvey was raised on a small cattle and swine farm in Tifton, Georgia. He exhibited his first animal, a Jersey Cow, in 1963 at the Tift County Fair at five years of age. The next year his pig was awarded Grand Champion. He has raised and shown all species of livestock and competed in Livestock Judging Contests for over 50 years.

Harvey graduated from the University of Georgia with degrees in Animal Science (BS), and Agriculture Education (Med, EDS). While attending UGA he competed on the 1978 UGA Livestock Judging Team and also served as President of the National Junior Polled Hereford Association in 1978.

Formerly employed as Young Farmer Teacher with Crawford County School System, Harvey taught Animal Science and trained FFA Livestock Judging teams for competition. Harvey has been employed in Agricultural Education for 32 years. During this tenure, he has superintended and judged numerous livestock shows across the state of Georgia and currently serves as Superintendent of the North American Llama-Alpaca Show in Louisville, KY. He is an ILR-SD Certified judge and served on the ILR Board of Directors where he served as President in 2014-15. He is a current member of ILR, ILR-SD, ALSA, LFA and SSLA.

Harvey and his wife Lisa own and operate Rock Creek Farm and Llama Co. where they manage and show over 75 llamas. Their initiative began with emphasis on conformation and fleece quality and has now expanded to include packing and carting with these wonderful animals.

Niki Kuklenski, Bellingham, Washington

Niki Anderson Kuklenski has been involved with llamas for over 35 years. During that time, she has been both a 4-H & FFA member (first in Washington State). She and her husband Jeff pack and drive for pleasure around the Western United States. Additionally, they volunteer their time to educate and work with rescue situations. Niki is involved with Pet Partners therapy program and utilizes seven llamas one miniature horse and two dogs for her therapy visits.

Niki and Jeff have their own small herd of llamas (wooly and classic) that they compete with in shows around the United States. Their now deceased male "Isle Eagle" is still the most ALSA award winning llama in the United States. JNK Llamas consistently wins in performance, halter and fleece at northwest shows.

Niki wrote the training materials for driving with llamas for both show associations and was instrumental in the design of the current Eagle Cart and Flaming Star Llama Harness. She has conducted clinics all over the world on driving, llama care, showing/grooming and basic llama care. Additionally, she has been a guest presenter at event for her expertise on llama history and bloodlines.

Niki is a halter, youth, fleece and performance judge for ALSA and the ILR-SD also. Niki is an Advanced Teaching Judge with the ILR-SD. In 2005 she was asked to sit on the advisory committee for the ILR for classic llamas. Niki has written for Llama Banner, Backcountry Llama, American Livestock, GALA and a few other publications.

Much of Niki's time is spent educating people on llamas and basic care. After a rescue situation in 2007, Niki in 2007 began a group that organizes "Informational Days" to educate people on alpaca and llama care. This group is now a 501c3 and Niki is the president. In 2011, she hosted and organized the very first NW ILR-SD Fleece and Halter, Performance and Youth Judging Clinic.

Niki was a full time alternative high school teacher, teaching Agricultural Science among many other things. Currently, she is a substitute teacher at a local junior high and high school.