New Cats On The Blog

Click here for more info on the Indonesia Cat Comeptition

Cat Fancy Indonesia (CFI), the biggest cat club in Indonesia had organised a cat show in a town called Lamongan, Surabaya on April 22nd, 2006. The trip is 2 hours and 15 minutes flight from KLIA to Juanda International Airport, Surabaya and another 1 hour and a half from the airport to the resort that I’m staying which is the Tanjung Kodok Beach Resort (100metres away from the Wisata Bahari Lamongan Amphitheater where the cat show been held). The president of CFI, Ibu Yulian Susanty greeted the Malaysian group which consists of me, Tuan Haji JSham and his wife at the airport. Tuan Haji JSham was one of the judge for this comptetition together with Mrs. Lesley Morgan-Blythe from Tasmania, Australia and Bapak Ronny Rachman Noor Mrur from Jakarta, Indonesia.

I was surprised when Ibu Santy had asked me whether I would be interested to be a steward for the event and to share my knowledge and experience with her stewards. I am indeed honoured and excited of that which I happily agreed. There were about 60 cats shown in this competition consisting 40 pedigrees and 20 households. The show was actually inside a theme park whereby people clad only in their swim suits came and see the show.

Below: The Venue which facing the Java Sea

Below: Some pictures taken when Lesley doing her judging.

Below: Some pictures taken when Pak Ronny doing his judging.

Below: Some pictures taken when Tuan Haji JSham doing his judging.

Below: The prizes offered for the competition

Some cats featured on that day…

Below: The Winners

Below: Reserve Best in Show presented by Mrs. Lesley Morgan

Below: Best In Show presented by Mrs. Lesley Morgan

Below: Special Award given by Mrs. Lesley Morgan to 1 special cat.

Below: Special Award recipient with the 3 judges

Below: Ibu Santy (left most) presenting appreciation awards to the judges. Next is Pak Ronny, Mrs. Lesley Morgan, Tuan Haji JSham and his wife, Pn. Hajah Kamariah.

Below: Me (squatting) with the stewards on that day.

It was an exciting moment to all of us whom involved in the show. After the show, we had a dinner function, a some sort of meeting up between the exhibitors with the stewards and the judges. I had invited the Indonesian stewards to come and see our Malaysia cat show and even perhaps volunteer as stewards in the future. They were more than excited and so, unofficially, we came up the idea of Steward Exchange Programme between Indonesia and Malaysia and I hope this is the start of the bond between Indonesia and Malaysia cat fanciers and most of all, the oppurtunity to understand each other better as well besides sharing knowledge and experience.

April 16th, 2006 was indeed a memorable to me and my Akechi, the Munchkin. It was Akechi’s first time entering a cat competing at Berjaya Times Square organised by Aftina House. The cat competition is the very first Malaysian National Cat Competition, a national level cat competition. (Click here for more info on the event.) Akechi was at his best behaviour sleeping in his cage most of the time and occasionally yawns when his name was called. But he got a bit agitated with constant meow and growling when he was presented to the judge of the day, Ms. Theresa Imboden-Johnson. Perhaps it was the scent of other cats which he was not comfortable. At the end of the show, Akechi was awarded Best Shorthair Pedigree cat under the Neuter category and most of all, Akechi was selected in the Top 5 Cats for Best in Show for this competition. There were a Persian, a Maine Coon, A Bengal, a Munchkin and a Siamese competiting for the Best in Show title. The official ranking is as below:

5th Best in Show: A Siamese
4th Best in Show: A Bengal
3rd Best in Show: A Munchkin
2nd Best in Show: A Maine Coon
Best in Show: A Persian

Akechi was given a special pillow with the picture of Australia Koala on it for his 3rd place. Here are some pictures taken when Akechi is being judged.

Below: Akechi with his winning ribbon, plaque and Koala pillow

Besides Akechi, my Rico was also shown in the show but under the Household Category. Although he did not won anything but he had certainly won my heart. Below is Rico taking the oppurtunity lying down on Akechi’s winning pillow…. isn’t he adorable?

There’s a cat competition held at the very heart of Kuala Lumpur yesterday (April 16th, 2006). There’s approximately 170 cats being shown or competed. The judges’ details are as follows:

Judge
Pedigree: Ms. Theresa Imboden-Johnstone
Ms. Theresa Imboden-Johnstone is from Australia and belongs to the New South Wales Cat Fanciers Association Inc. (NSWCFA)
Non-Pedigree: Ms. Lucy Koh - Hon Vice President of the Singapore Cat Club

This cat competition is organised by Aftina House, an event management company (the same company that hosted the 1st Malaysian Open Cat Competition) and this competition is open to the ALL (which includes all fellow members of whatever cat clubs they belong.)

I was the steward at the Pedigree section for the event and indeed it was very tiring but still I had enjoyed myself throughout the show; being able to see all those beautiful and gorgeous looking cats, presenting the cats to the judge and some other tasks as well. Ms. Theresa, I would say is a humble, warm and caring with her Swiss ascent. She even showed me the proper way when handling ‘difficult’ cats. But most of all, like all exhibitors, it is very meaningful when your cat wins and my Akechi, the Munchkin had indeed made me proud. Besides being the Best Shorthair Pedigree Cat (Neuter Category), Akechi was also the 3rd Best in Show cat for this national level competition after a Persian and Maine Coon. (Click here to read more about Akechi). Is this a start of Munchkin popularity? Perhaps a few more years could tell…

Since being busy as a bee, I managed to snap a few photos and this are the highlights for the day.

Above: The Stage

Above: Pedigree Section

Above: Household Pets Section

Above: A bird’s eye view of the competition hall

Above: The sponsor, IAMS exibition corner

Above: En. JSham with his speech

Above: Me, Akechi & Ms. Theresa

Some cats shown in the show

Above: Persians

Above: Maine Coon

Above: Munchkin

Above: Sphynx

More photos coming soon.

The winning list for the very first Malaysian National Cat Competition
OVERALL IN SHOW
BEST IS SHOW
Name of Cat: KYALEEN SPRINGTIME ROMANCE
Breed: Persian
Owner: MOONYZA AKMAL

RESERVE BEST IS SHOW
Name of Cat: FELIS WONDER LEE SIMON
Breed: Maine Coon
Owner: JIMMY LEE

BEST NON PEDIGREE
Name of Cat: MARBLE
Breed: Domestic
Owner: ROSAHAIRIL TAN ROSLAN TAN

BEST NEUTER
Name of Cat: ORO
Breed: Domestic
Owner: RAJA INTAN NAJIHAH RAJA SHAHRIMAN

BEST KITTEN
Name of Cat: FELIS WONDER LEE SIMON
Breed: Maine Coon
Owner: JIMMY LEE

BEST PEDIGREE EXHIBITS
BEST LONGHAIR/EXOTIC:
Name of Cat: KYALEEN SPRINGTIME ROMANCE
Breed: Persian
Owner: MOONYZA AKMAL

BEST SEMI LONGHAIR
Name of Cat: FELIS WONDER LEE SIMON
Breed: Maine Coon
Owner: JIMMY LEE

BEST SHORTHAIR
Name of Cat: PUTRABENGAL MARIAH XENIA PUTRA
Breed: Bengal
Owner: ZULHASLIZA HUSSIN

BEST SIAMESE/ORIENTAL
Name of Cat: MAZ ESEMAIS KISS ME QUICK
Breed: Siamese
Owner: KHAIRUHIZAM ROZALI

PEDIGREE SECTION
GROUP 1 - LONGHAIR/EXOTIC
MALE OPEN:
1st
Name of Cat: KISSABLES KURNIA OF QESHAR
Breed: Persian
Owner: AZHAR SIDEK

2nd
Name of Cat: IC SAYANGKU HUNTER
Breed: Persian
Owner: KEW YON SAM

FEMALE OPEN:
1st
Name of Cat: KYALEEN SPRINGTIME ROMANCE
Breed: Persian
Owner: MOONYZA AKMAL

2nd
Name of Cat: WESTHOLME SMOKES SCREAN
Breed: Persian
Owner: AZHAR SIDEK

NEUTER:
1st
Name of Cat: OLYMPIAN AMBASSADOR
Breed: Exotic
Owner: SHAMSIAH IBRAHIM

2nd
(NONE)

KITTEN:
1st
Name of Cat: CHERRYPIE YIN
Breed: Exotic
Owner: KARL KEE

2nd
Name of Cat: WILLANGI ESTOY SANANDO
Breed: Persian
Owner: Mrs WAI PHEI CHEN

GROUP II – SEMI LONGHAIR
MALE OPEN:
1st
Name of Cat: ARENA RAJA WANG WANG
Breed: Maine Coon
Owner: WAN JAHARA WAN HUSSIN

2nd
Name of Cat: CANCOON RED BOBBIN
Breed: Maine Coon
Owner: WAN JAHARA WAN HUSSIN

FEMALE OPEN:
1st
Name of Cat: FELIS WONDER NICOL KIDMAINE
Breed: Maine Coon
Owner: AL-FUDHAIL DATO’ KAMARUDIN

2nd
Name of Cat: HHHBilkits LAURA DARA
Breed: Scared Birman
Owner: HABBIL HANC HUSSIN

NEUTER:
1st
Name of Cat: FELIS WONDER TOM COON
Breed: Maine Coon
Owner: AL-FAWWAZ DATO’ KAMARUDIN

2nd
Name of Cat: FELIS WONDER KING ARNOLD VASLOO
Breed: Maine Coon
Owner: NOORAZIZAN DATO’ KAMARUDIN

KITTEN:
1st
Name of Cat: FELIS WONDER LEE SIMON
Breed: Maine Coon
Owner: JIMMY LEE

2nd
Name of Cat: PUSAKARIMBA EUGENA
Breed: American Curl
Owner: SHAFIE HUSIN

GROUP III – SHORTHAIR
MALE OPEN:
1st
Name of Cat: PUTRABENGAL BENKENOBI
Breed: Bengal
Owner: ZULHASLIZA HUSSIN

2nd
Name of Cat: SILVERFAIRY MUSASHI
Breed: American Short Hair
Owner: LIM MING POH

FEMALE OPEN:
1st
Name of Cat: PUTRABENGAL MARIAH XENIA PUTRA
Breed: Bengal
Owner: ZULHASLIZA HUSSIN

2nd
Name of Cat: SARAVET COCOMO
Breed: Munchkin
Owner: YUSSRY ISSHAK

NEUTER:
1st
Name of Cat: MYHERITAGE AKECHI SAMANOSUKE
Breed: Munchkin
Owner: HORATIO

2nd
Name of Cat: PR ANUGERAH OSAKA NAKATA
Breed: Balinese
Owner: ZAILATUL AZREENA SHAFIE

KITTEN:
1st
Name of Cat: ARENA SILVER ANGEL
Breed: American Short Hair
Owner: WAN JAHARA WAN HUSSIN

2nd
Name of Cat: ERASER NINJA NAKED
Breed: Sphynx
Owner: WAN JAHARA WAN HUSSIN

GROUP IV –SIAMESE/ORIENTAL
MALE OPEN:
1st
Name of Cat: MAZ ESEMAIZ KISS ME QUICK
Breed: Siamese
Owner: KHAIRUHIZAM ROZALI

2nd
Name of Cat: ZANADU GINGER WAVE
Breed: Oriental
Owner: SHAMSIAH IBRAHIM

FEMALE OPEN:
1st
Name of Cat: ZANADU CHELSEA
Breed: Oriental
Owner: SHAMSIAH IBRAHIM

2nd
(NONE)

NEUTER:
(NONE)

KITTEN:
1st
Name of Cat: ZANADU PURFFECE MEDIAA
Breed: Oriental
Owner: SHAMSIAH IBRAHIM

2nd
Name of Cat: ZANADU RIDING HIGH
Breed: Oriental
Owner: SHAHSIAH IBRAHIM

NON PEDIGREE SECTION
BEST DOMESTIC LONGHAIR
Name of Cat: ROSSALL PICARIE ROSALES
Owner: AMIRA ROSSALLINI

BEST DOMESTIC SHORTHAIR
Name of Cat: MARBLE
Owner: ROSAHAIRIL TAN ROSLAN TAN

DOMESTIC LONGHAIR
MALE OPEN:
1st
Name of Cat: ABOO
Owner: NOOR NIZREEN OSMAN

2nd
Name of Cat: MONTY
Owner: INTAN SYAKIRA SULAIMAN

FEMALE OPEN:
1st
Name of Cat: MIMI
Owner: ROSAHAIRIL TAN ROSLAN TAN

2nd
Name of Cat: SHELLY
Owner: MOHD NOR AIMAN MD SAZALI

NEUTER:
1st
Name of Cat: TOMMY
Owner: POON TSE WAN

2nd
Name of Cat: SHAWN DIKOTA
Owner: MELISA THAM

KITTEN:
1st
Name of Cat: ROSSALL PICARIE ROSALES
Owner: AMIRA ROSSALLINI

2nd
Name of Cat: MARC ANTHONY
Owner: HABBIL HANC HUSSIN

DOMESTIC SHORTHAIR
MALE OPEN:
1st
Name of Cat: YOUNG BOY
Owner: MD DRUS ZAKARIA

2nd
Name of Cat: IMA MANIS MEDU
Owner: ISMAIL MOHD ALI

FEMALE OPEN:
1st
Name of Cat: PERSONA SHARECA
Owner: ROSLY JONOH

2nd
Name of Cat: CHEVY
Owner: ROSLY JONOH

NEUTER:
1st
Name of Cat: ORO
Owner: RAJA INTAN NAJIHAH RAJA SHAHRIMAN

2nd
Name of Cat: BACK STREET GIRL
Owner: HABBIL HANC HUSSIN

KITTEN:
1st
Name of Cat: MARBLE
Owner: ROSAHAIRIL TAN ROSLAN TAN

2nd
Name of Cat: TRENDY JOHN BLACK
Owner: LIM MING POH

SPECIAL AWARD FROM MRS LUCY KOH (SINGAPORE)
DOMESTIC LONGHAIR
Name of Cat: DENNISE D MENACE
Owner: HABBIL HANC HUSSIN

Name of Cat: SAFARI
Owner: WAN UMI KHALILAH

Name of Cat: IMA LUKE SKYWALKER
Owner: ISMAIL MOHD ALI

Name of Cat: IMA PRINCE ALLADIN
Owner: ISMAIL MOHD ALI

SPECIAL AWARD FROM MRS LUCY KOH (SINGAPORE)
DOMESTIC SHORTHAIR
Name of Cat: AMBER
Owner: MELISSA EDISON DANIALS

Name of Cat: MEK SUI
Owner: FAZLY KAMAL

Name of Cat: PERSONA TOMB TOMB SHAKALALA
Owner: ROSLY JONOH

THE 10 COMMANDMENTS OF RESPONSIBLE CAT OWNERSHIP
1. Your cats/kittens should be fed with adequate balanced diet.
2. Your cats/kittens should be supplied with clean, fresh water all the time.
3. Your cats/kittens should be provided with a cozy dry sleeping area.
4. Your cats/kittens should be provided with regular exercise and allow regular family contact.
5. Your cats/kittens should have an up to date vaccinations, regular worm control & control of fleas and ticks.
6. Your cats/kittens should have an identification tag on an elasticized collar. Permanent identification increases the chance of recovery if the pet is lost.
7. Your cats/kittens must be kept indoor at all times, especially at night.
8. Your cats/kittens should be provided with love and care.
9. Cats/kittens that are not used for breeding should be spayed/neutered.
10. Ensure that all your cats/kittens adequately cared for during holidays, preferably at a reputable boarding cattery/vets/cat-sitters.

10 REASONS NOT TO BUY CATS / KITTENS FROM A PETSHOP
1. Health - That adorable cat/kitten in the pet store is hard to resist, but you may be paying a lot of money for a kitten that you know very little about. Pet stores generally rely on impulse buys to sell their product. There is a good chance that the pet store kitten will develop a health problem sometime in its life that may cost you a lot of money. It is very unlikely that the parents were screened for genetic diseases that can be passed to their offspring.

2. The Myth about Cat Club Certificates - Most pet shops would like you to believe that if a cat/kitten is registered, this guarantees they will be healthy and a good example of the breed.

3. The Pet Shop Guarantee - Many pet stores provide a form of guarantee for people buying cats/kittens from them, but their guarantees may be as bad as none at all. A not-so-uncommon scenario goes something like this: after your family has become attached to your adorable new kitten you find out it is sick. It will cost you several hundred dollars to treat, so you take the kitten back to the store to receive your guarantee. What they will most likely offer to do is trade kitten - take away your beloved pet and replace it with a new kitten, not necessarily a healthier one, either. They will most likely euthanize the kitten you brought back, because this is cheaper for the store. The other tactic that some stores use is to tell you your kitten will grow out of the problem - until their guarantee has expired. Do you want to take this risk?

4. What Will The Kitten Look Like When It Is Full-Grown? You may have seen specimens of the breed that you are buying, but this does not guarantee that this cats/kitten fit the breed standard. You do not know if the parents fit the standard either and cannot see the faults that each parent has.

5. What Do They Know About The Breed? Employees of pet stores generally know very little about the cats/kittens that are in the store. They can probably tell you a little bit about the breed and then point you to a rack of generic cat books. What do you do after you bring the kitten home, only to find that this breed is not the right one for you and your family? Good breeders are full of information about the breed that you are considering. They should be able to tell you the general temperament aspects of the breed and help you predict whether this breed will fit into your lifestyle.

6. Housebreaking and training problems - This kitten that you are buying from a pet store has most likely spent much of its life in a cage. Due to the conditions that kittens were kept in at pet stores, they have been forced to eliminate in the same area that they sleep and eat. A Reputable breeder would have trained the kitten. So by the time the kitten are ready to go to their new homes they will be well on their way to being house trained.

7. How About Socialization? Your pet store kitten may well have never been in a house before. If this is the case then everything will be new and scary for them. The doorbell, vacuum cleaner, and children playing are all new sensations that can be terrifying to an unsocialized kitten. Good breeders will expose their kittens to many situations so that they are used to them by the time that they go to their new homes.

8. Pedigree Worth? The pet shop owner can only tell you that this cat/kitten is pedigree but wont be able to prove it. Worse is they are telling that this kitten is purebred but its actually just a domestic cat.

9. Do You Want To Support Kitten Mills/Backyard Breeders? 99.9% all kittens that are in pet stores come from kitten mills/Backyard breeders. These operations are exactly what the name implies. Most mass-produce kittens with money as the prime motive. Their breeding cats are often kept in very poor conditions and are sometimes malnourished. The cats are almost never tested for genetic diseases and may not receive vaccinations. Females are generally bred every heat cycle until they are worn out and then they are often sentenced to death. The horror of kitten mills is encouraged every time a kitten is bought from a pet store. How do you know that they come from one of these places? The main reason is that almost no responsible breeders will sell to pet stores. Good breeders what to make sure that their kittens go to good homes and are well cared for. They want to be actively involved in screening the home that they go to.

10. After The Cat/Kitten Goes Home? Once you take the kitten home from the pet store they do not generally care what happens to it. Responsible breeders are more than people who sell kittens; they will also be good friends to you and your kittens. They care what happens to their kittens once they are sold. Almost all good breeders sell on spay/neuter contracts or limited registration. This practice enables breeders to keep cats that are not breeding quality out of the breeding population. Most reputable breeders care about each of their kittens’ futures and will be concerned about their welfare. They care not only about their own cats, but also the impact their cats will make on the breed as a whole.

10 TIPS ON HOW TO RECOGNIZE A KITTEN MILL / BACKYARD BREEDER / UNETHICAL BREEDER
When you talk to people about their kitties there are a few warning signs when you are dealing with a disreputable, unethical, or irresponsible breeder:
1. The “breeder” is more interested in the price your paying rather than the welfare of the animal.
2. The “breeder” lacks knowledge about the breed.
3. The “breeder” shows ignorance or denial of genetic defects in the breed.
4. The “breeder” doesn’t let you observe the kitten or adults, or let you see the cattery.
5. The “breeder” has no vaccination records.
6. The “breeder” is not a member of the respective cat club.
7. The cats are not socialized.
8. The “breeder” has too many cats more that they can take care of properly.
9. The “breeder” doesn’t care about the welfare of her cat/kittens.
10. The “breeder” locks the cats and kittens in small cages.

10 COMMANDMENTS OF A REPUTABLE BREEDER
1. A Reputable Breeder places cats/kittens by contract.
2. A Reputable Breeder places cats/kittens with a health guarantee.
3. A Reputable Breeder insists and contracts the return of a cat/kitten should the purchaser be unable to keep the cat/kitten.
4. A Reputable Breeder carefully interviews prospective owners and has specific requirements that are to be met i.e; cat/kitten is to be altered by 8m old if the breeder is not already practicing early altering, cat/kitten is not allowed to roam outdoors, etc.
5. A Reputable Breeder is willing and able to educate the novice. He/she happily answers any/all questions regarding the breed and his/her breeding program.
6. A Reputable Breeder insists on being informed of any health, genetic, or behavioral problems the cat/kitten may develop in its lifetime.
7. A Reputable Breeder does not have more cats/kittens then he/she is able to keep clean, healthy and well socialized.
8. A Reputable Breeder spends individual time with each of his cats/kittens.
9. A Reputable Breeder is very concerned with excellent temperament in his/her cats/kittens as well as excellent health.
10. A Reputable Breeder makes him/herself available for advice and help to other breeders, and throughout the life of the cats/kittens he/she has placed.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A REPUTABLE BREEDER AND A “KITTEN PRODUCER”Depends on the concern and the responsibility the person shows towards his/her breed, breeding program, fellow breeders, and his/her individual charges; cats/kittens and purchasers thereof.

1. The Reputable Breeder spends large amounts of time and money on that which he/she believes to be for the best interest of the breed, the cats and those directly and indirectly affected by his/her actions.

2. The Reputable Breeder sees his/her breeding program as an unfinished work, a creative masterpiece that drives him/her towards excellence and perfection. Whereas, the “kitten producer” is motivated by profit. While the “kitten producer” is happy to sell quantity to whomever; dealers, brokers, … the reputable breeder insists on individual contact with each prospective owner and will only place a kitten after careful and thorough screening.

Direct contact is necessary in order to insure a mutual compatibility between the would be purchaser, the cat/kitten and him/herself. Because of this great concern on the part of the reputable breeder, he/she will help the novice purchaser select the cat/kitten that is compatible with their lifestyle, personality and expectations, even if it means talking them out of a cat/kitten. Screening is necessary to ensure a successful placement and this is foremost with the reputable breeder.

3. The Reputable Breeder is concerned with pedigrees and the breed standard is of utmost importance to his goal for excellence and the betterment of the breed. Because of the goal of betterment in mind, NEVER would this breeder think to breed without knowing the pedigree or without holding the papers qualifying the dam and the sire as breeder quality. A reputable breeder will own the right to breed, the papers proving such and will have the pedigree of his/her cats as well. This breeder is willing and able to educate and be educated, has a willingness to answer questions correctly and cares about the concerns of the potential new owner. He/she will allow visits to see the mother and if available, the father, and kittens in their environment when it is feasibly safe to do so. The “kitten producer” may offer seemingly good reasons to meet in places with available kittens other then the raised environment.

4. The Reputable Breeder insists on contracts and requires that the cat/kitten be returned to him/her if for any reason the purchaser is unable to keep the pet. It is this breeder who shows responsibility to the breed, and the cats/kittens they have “created” for the lifetime of this pet. Health records, pedigrees and care information are a source of great pride to the breeder that is reputable as well as a sanitary, clean, healthy and happy environment.

5. The Reputable Breeder is excited at the prospect of furthering his/her education through breed clubs, cat shows, and seminars and will take advantage of available resources. This reputable breeder tends to live around their cats/kittens. Every opportunity to participate in activities with other reputable breeders ensuring them that their breeding program compares to others within their breed group is looked upon favorably by this reputable breeder.

6. The Reputable Breeder realistically understands that sometimes things go wrong but, he/she maintains a responsibility to the situation, if it is within his/her power, they do what is needed to rectify a problem fairly. The reputable breeder does not abandon a situation.

FOR MORE INFO, pls email me at horatio168@gmail.com

Click here for more info on the Singapore Cat Club Championship Cat Show 2006

I took the liberty to head down south to our neighbour country, Singapore to visit their cat show on Apr 9th. The weather was good and not too hot, thanks to the cloudy skies. Here are some shots that I managed to take. Enjoy.

Above: The Venue

Above: Inside the Show Hall

Above: Ring 1 Judge - Yayoi Satoh from Japan

Above: Ring 2 Judge - Theresa-Imboden Johnson from Australia

Above: Ring 3 Judge - Kaiyako Koisumi from Japan

Above: Ring 4 Judge - Wayne Trevathan from USA

Below are some gorgeous looking, nice to hold and cute cats…

Besides the competition, there are some other activites as well such as:-
1. The Photo Session

2. Pet Adoption Drive

3. Cage Decoration Contest