LOWGATE-BASED breeders made a very successful return to the show-ring with a trio of champions at the Yorkshire Alpaca Group Annual Show.

It comes in the month Nero Black Alpaca owners, Paul and Kathryn Shrimpton, celebrate 15 years since their first alpacas arrived.

The business has developed into one of the largest and most respected breeders in the north with, currently, 52 coloured alpacas on farm.

To share their passion, the husband and wife team have developed the 'Alpaca Encounters' experience which has become number one of 'things to do in Hexham' on Trip Adviser.

Taking first place at the show in the Black Males with Burgess, Nero Black Visage won Champion Modern Grey Male and Nero Black Farthing took Champion Brown Female.

The hat-trick was complete when the new, brown stud the couple bought in the spring, to breed in new genetics, Redens Churchill, was crowned Brown Male Champion.

This combination of results led to Nero Black Alpaca being crowned Most Successful Breeder at the show.

“I was just delighted to be back showing after a, pandemic enforced, 2 year break - to have three champions was just the icing on the cake”, said Kathryn Shrimpton.

Paul Shrimpton added “I am amazed, but delighted, that what started as Kathryn’s “love at first sight” interest in alpacas at the Northumberland County Show in 2002 has now become our livelihood."