Amanda VandenBosch

Amanda VandenBosch will judge the MIAS Halter Show

Amanda VandenBosch has been raising alpacas, both huacaya and suris for 32 + years along with her family at Flying Dutchman Alpacas, LLC in Bend, Oregon, USA. Amanda travels worldwide as an International Alpaca Judge, judging and teaching on all aspects of alpacas, fiber, and end products. She has been active with many organizations and is co-author of "Art & Science of Alpaca Judging" and "Innovative Fleece Assessment Judging System" along with many research projects related to the selection, health, and well-being of the alpaca. Proud co-hosts of 16th Annual Education with a Destination Event and Stanford Livestock International, Ltd export services complimented with alpaca retail store Alpaca by Design. Amanda is passionately involved with the non-profit organization Quechua Benefit in Peru.

Amanda is an alpaca enthusiast in all aspects from selective breeding decisions and raising of high-quality alpacas to a passionate educator known for her interactive clinics and sharing of knowledge with fellow alpaca enthusiasts worldwide.

Helen Testa

Helen Testa will judge the MAAC Halter Show and Production classes.

Helen established Silvercloud Farm in 2001 and managed a large herd of huacayas. Helen has been very active within the alpaca community. She served as the President of the Pennsylvania Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (PAOBA), managed the PAOBA Breeders Showcase, served on the Mid-Atlantic Alpaca Association Board of Directors, served on several Alpaca Owners Association Sub-Committees, and was founder partner in Silver Penn Sales. Helen recently joined the Judges Advisory Committee (JAC) and plans to remain active and supportive of the alpaca community.

Helen has been an AOA Certified Judge since 2007 and enjoys traveling throughout the country evaluating alpacas, offering educational seminars, herd evaluations, and sale consultations. Helen has now retired from Silvercloud Farm and she and her two children Mia and Raymond reside in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania.

Kevin O'Leary

Kevin O'Leary will judge the  MIAS Walking Fleece Show.

Committed to the alpaca industry, Kevin has served on various AOBA committees including the Affiliate, the Nominating, the National Conference Planning, and the Judge Advisory Committee. 

Kevin is one of the founding members and President of N.E. Alpaca Tours, a non-profit corporation that organizes the North American Alpaca Show.  To date, N.E.A.T. has donated over a quarter of a million dollars to alpaca research and education.

Having successfully completed the AOBA Judge Training Program in 2004, Kevin received certification in halter, fleece, and performance judging for both Suri and Hucaya alpacas.

Kevin is currently judging alpaca shows throughout the country and is involved in speaking, consulting, and in the organization of alpaca shows and auctions.

Jacob Hart

Jacob Hart will judge the Youth Halter, Showmanship and Obstacles classes.

Native to Central Ohio, Jacob has been involved in the alpaca industry since 2009, when he followed his parents into the industry at the age of 12. He first acquired his alpacas as a way for his parents to teach him about finances and investments. It was at this time that he founded Rakhel Farms, which later became Rakhel Farms LLC.

Jacob attended Delaware Valley University (Doylestown, Pennsylvania) and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness in 2018 with the intention to apply his education to the alpaca industry.

In 2019, Jacob entered the Alpaca Owners Association Judge Training Program and became a certified halter judge in 2022. He has volunteered at numerous AOA Certified alpaca shows and served on the AOA Show Revitalization Task Force in 2020.