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Cat Shows
There are shows held most weekends, these are listed in publications such as
Our Cats, Your Cat, Cat World or from the GCCF Office or their Website.
It is advisable to visit a show and talk to other exhibitors before you
decide to show your cat, most breeders will be only too happy to advise and show
equipment can be bought at shows and usually include a blanket, vet bed, water
and food bowl and litter tray, these are all white so that no cat can be
distinguished from another. The public are normally admitted in the middle of
the day until closing time at about 5pm.
You will not be allowed to remove your cat before the Show closes, if you do you may
forfeit any prizes won.
The judges move round the hall with their stewards, taking the cats out of
their pens one at a time to be judged; you will recognise them by their badges
and white coats. Judges do not normally speak to the exhibitors or the public
until they have finished their judging. The results are written into a book and
slips from the books appear on the results board later in the day; you will see
the boards surrounded by exhibitors excitedly searching for their cats' placings.
The pens are in rows usually starting with the Long Hairs in pen number 1 and
ending with the non pedigree cats. The show will have a catalogue which will
give you information about the cats, their breeds and colours and will also have
advertisements put in by the breeders. Many shows have notices or leaflets to
help you find your way around.
There is one very special show held at the NEC, Birmingham each year in
November where cats that have won the top prizes at other shows can compete for
the title of 'Supreme'; this is the Supreme Cat Show. Here the cats will all be
exhibited in large decorated pens and will be taken to special rings to be
judged. If you are lucky the judge may give a commentary on the judging while
you are watching.
This is one of
the few shows where your artistic flair can be let loose and you may decorate
the pen with curtains and a “theme”.
Applying to enter a Show
If you have decided that your cat will enjoy a show then you need to apply to
enter well in advance, this could be as much as 3 months before the show.
You need to send a SAE 9” x 8” envelope to the Show Manager (as advertised in Our Cats or
contact the GCCF).
When the schedule arrives ensure you read the rules carefully, if you are at all concerned, contact another breeder or the Show Manager.
You need to check the GCCF registration or transfer certificate of your cat -
if you find the pink slip you were given by your cat's breeder is headed
TRANSFER APPLICATION this means that the cat is not registered in your name and
you must complete the form and send it back to the GCCF with the transfer fee as
soon as possible - no later than 21 days before the show. If you have no GCCF
paperwork contact the person you bought the cat from and if you get no help from
them telephone the GCCF office for advice. You will see that the entry form asks
for information about you and your cat. First fill in your name and address -
the Exhibitor must be the registered owner of the cat 21 days before show day.
It may be you or you and a partner - you must fill in the details of both people
if it is jointly owned. Next the details of your cat are needed and these should
be copied from your GCCF papers:
Registration Number - Cat's Name - Breed number - Sex - Date of birth
Name of sire - Name of dam - Name of breeder - Classes to be entered.
If your cat has not been registered or the certificate has not been returned
from GCCF put RAF or TAF (reg/transfer applied for) in place of the registration
number and make sure you do apply!
Decide on the correct classes - if you cat is a neuter you can only enter
neuter classes and you should enter its sex as MN or FN. If in doubt about
classes check. Next work out your entry fees, make out your cheque and make sure
that it is signed and correct. On the form you will find a declaration that you
and your partner, if the cat is jointly owned, must read and sign. Finally
double check everything before you post it, if your form is incorrect it could
lead to disqualification.
The cost to enter is approximately £25 and includes entry to the Open Class and a
further 3 Miscellaneous Classes.
Once you have completed the form and sent it off and then subsequently withdraw your
cat after the application closure date, you cannot be refunded your entrance
fee.
Preparation for the Show
The most important thing to decide is if your cat will enjoy the show because
shows are meant to be enjoyed by the cats as well as their owners. You can
prepare by ensuring your cat is used to travelling and is not upset by journeys.
Before the show have your travelling basket ready with food, water, spare
blankets in case of accidents, litter tray and litter and most importantly
any documentation required, this includes an up to date vaccination certificate for flu and enteritis,
failure
to provide such a certificate on the day could result in disqualification, but
in most cases will mean that you have to produce the certificate no later than 7
days after the show.
Do remember to clean ears and eyes and trim the sharp tips of the claws with proper clippers.
Do not cut anything but the tip or you will damage the skin and make your cat bleed.
Finally, double check the rules in the schedule.
Vetting In
Aim to arrive around 8.30 am, you will join a queue for “vetting In”,
when you arrive at the table you will be given an envelope which will usually
contain:
Pen No. and Classes Entered (on outside of envelope, ensure you retain
this for claiming Rosettes)
Exhibitors Pass
Catalogue Voucher
You will then be directed to a Vet who will ensure your cat is fit and
healthy and able to be shown.
Be aware if your cat should have fleas, ear mites or any scratch or patch of fur
missing (could indicate ring worm), then your cat will be excluded.
The Show
Once you have passed Vetting In, you need to find your Pen, there are usually
maps around the hall.
Ensure you disinfect the Pen and place the cats Vet bed, blanket, litter tray and most
importantly water bowl in the pen.
Place your cat in the pen and ensure you then vacate the hall when the Show Manager
directs, usually about 10.00 am.
Always check your pen before you leave the hall to make sure
it is clean and tidy.
You will not be allowed back in the hall until about 12.30 pm, when you return you
will be able to put
one
toy in the pen and you can then put a food bowl and food in
the pen. The show usually finishes around 5.00 pm.
You may want to pass the time talking to other breeders, or just congregate
around the show board noting the results in your catalogue.
Hopefully you and the cat will thoroughly enjoy the day
no matter what the result!
Once you get home make sure your cat is comfortable, it will have been a hard day for you all. It is wise not to allow all your cats to mix with the show cat
for a few days until any danger of infection is past.
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