Cat Competitions… What it is all about?
What is a cat competition (or show)? Many had asked me this question. Since we have 2 cat clubs in Malaysia, Feline Society of Malaysia (FSM for short) which affliate with The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA) International and Malaysian Cat Club (MCC) or better to be known as Kelab Kucing Malaysia (KKM) which ties afflliation with the Federation Internationale Feline (better known as FIFe).
I am fortunate to have contacted a reputable cat judge, Ms Lesley Morgan Blythe to explain to us what is a FIFe show since she was a FIFe judge.
“FIFe shows differ from those of other organisations in various ways, perhaps the primary difference being that each day of a FIFe show (whether it be a 1, 2 or 3 days show) is what in other organisations would be termed “one ring”. (In FIFe-speak, “one certificate“.) This is in part because of the FIFe show rules which require that apart from the ‘open style’ judging (exhibitors either present their cats to the judge or a steward does, but in any event, each cat is discussed at length with the audience and/or exhibitor), there will also be a written report on each cat, which obviously takes a fair amount of time. “On floor” judging must be completed by around 2pm and this includes each judge deciding on his/her nominations for Best in Show Panel (the likely cats usually being called back for a final decision) which is normally conducted at around 3 or 4pm. (More on that later.)
Above: Judges waiting for panel to begin - Czech Republic
Thus, the show rules limit the number of cats a judge handles on one day - 40 being the maximum. A suitably qualified judge might typically be allocated (for example) fawn Abyssinian, Group 4 MCO (Maine Coon), Group 7 NFO (Norwegian Forest), seal tabby point Siamese and pointed Persians. The adults are judged in their title (or non-title) class against others of the same colour/pattern and variety which are at the same title level. Thus, all cream Persian males in Class 9 (untitled adult) compete for the certificate at the first level - the CAC. Cream Persian males who are already champions compete togwether in Class 7, and so on, up to Grand International Champion (GIC). There is a specific point allocation required at each level - for example, to be awarded the CACE (Class 3 - Grand International Champion certificate) a cat must be deemed worthy of 97 points, according to its standard. 97 is also the benchmark for a cat to be nominated to the Best In Show (BIS) panel.
Each judge is able to nominate an adult male, female, neutered adult male and female and kittens in 3 - 6 or 6 - 10 month classes from each category they have judged.
Category 1 - Persian/Exotic
Category 2 - All Semi Longhair pedigree cats
Category 3 - All Shorthairs pedigree cats
Category 4 - Siamese/Oriental (Short and Longhair)/Balinese
(Click here for FIFe breeds standard)
These numbers are sent to the secretariat, and a running sheet for the use of the panel is printed off, showing the cage number, breed and colour/pattern of each nominee, as well as the judge nominating each exhibit.
Above: ‘on floor’ judging - the exhibit is brought to the table for assessment
Each judge who handled cats of a particular category during the day will be on that BIS panel. The nominated cats (say, the male entire section) will be handled by all judges on panel who will then cast their vote either by writing the appropriate cage number on a card or chalk board and displaying it, or by handing in their vote which the show manager then announces. Female entire cats are then paraded for the panel, the same process followed and finally, there is a vote between the male and female winners - Best and Best Opposite Sex of category is determined this way. The same process is followed for neuter males and females. Kittens of both sexes compete together in their age group, thus arriving at a Best ‘Baby Kitten’ (3 - 6 mths) and Best ‘Junior’ (6 - 10 months). This process is repeated for all categories.
Exhibitors really value a thorough report on the cats and kittens and a copy of each report is displayed on the ‘home’ cage during the show. While it may take up a lot of the judge’s time writing these, it is helpful for exhibitors who are involved with running the show in whatever capacity - they don’t miss out on hearing the judge’s opinion. As in Australia and New Zealand, judges are expected to (tactfully!) point out strengths and weaknesses of each cat, not just praise the winners. Thus, an educational process is involved.
Above: Semi Longhair panel at a Dutch show
To gain international titles, cats must be awarded certificates in other countries, so travelling long disances to gain these is commonplace. I have met Danish exhibitors in Italy, Austrians in France and English in Holland and Germany, for example.
The FIFe Worldshow is the ultimate show in the calendar. This is hosted in different countries on an annual basis and averages around 1200 exhibits most years (sometimes more). While the same format is followed, it is an incredibly glamorous event and the kudos of being a World Winner is huge. Cats and kittens must qualify in order to be permitted to enter so these cats really are the creme de la creme of all the FIFe countries. It would be entirely possible, say, to have a line-up on panel of Cats of the Year from more than 12 countries all vying for the BIS award. Stiff competition indeed!”
Above: Category winner of BIS Adult (Stockholm)
Extracted from CFA Show website and this is how CFA shows is.
“A cat show is composed of a number of separate, concurrently running, individual shows held in the various judging rings throughout a show hall. Each show is presided over by a different judge, who presents his or her own awards independent of the decisions of other judges. Hence, a cat which is chosen Best in Show by the judge in Ring 1, may not always be given the same award by the judge in Ring 2.
Every cat entered in the show is evaluated by each judge, and judged according to a written standard for its breed (with the exception of the Household Pet Class, for which there is no written standard). The standard is part blueprint because it describes the ideal specimen for the breed, and part constitution because it can be revised by the members of the breed council. A breed standard is precise enough to allow judges to evaluate cats accurately, and flexible enough to leave room for differences in interpretation between judges of keen eye and good intention.
Individual shows can be classified as either allbreed or specialty. In an allbreed show all cats, regardless of coat length or type, compete for various awards. In a specialty show only those cats of similar coat length (or type) compete for awards.
After a judge has examined all the cats in the allbreed competition - or all the cats of similar coat length (or type) if he or she is doing a specialty show - it is time for finals: the curtain call wherein the judge presents the top ten cats in show. The moment every cat breeder lives for is that moment of exhilaration when your cat is held aloft and proclaimed “Best Cat in Show”!
The judge is assisted in the ring by the Ring Clerk, whose responsibilities include calling the cats to the ring, recording the awards as given by the judge, and supervising the ring stewards.
Competition at CFA shows is held in the following categories:
· KITTEN competition is for unaltered or altered, pedigreed kittens between the ages of four and eight months.
Kittens compete with other kittens of the same breed, sex and color for first, second and third place ribbons. Each color group is also awarded Best of Color and Second Best of Color, and each breed is awarded and Second Best of Breed. When all kittens have been judged, the judge will call back kittens for his/her Top 10 Kitten Final. In an All Breed ring, all kittens entered in the show compete for the finals, while in a specialty ring only the Longhair or the Shorthair kittens compete.
· CHAMPIONSHIP competition is for unaltered, pedigreed cats over the age of eight months.
The majority of cats start their show careers in the Kitten class, and once they reach the age of eight months advance from there to Championship Class (described here) or Premiership Class. All cats entered in the show compete against other cats of the same breed and sex and color for awards. Every registered cat over the age of eight months starts its show career in the Championship and Premiership in the OPEN class. A First Place award (blue) in the OPEN class is accompanied by a Red/White/Blue Winners Ribbon. Once a cat has collected six of these winners ribbons, it becomes a Champion. At its next show it will be eligible to compete against other champions for points toward the Grand Champion title.
(For full description of the ribbons, refer HERE)
After a judge has handled all of the open cats in a breed, division or color grouping, he judges the champions in that group. He then awards first, second and third place ribbons to the three best males, and to the three best females. Next, the judge moves on to the Grand Champions and repeats that process.
When all cats in a color group have been appraised, the judge awards the Best of Color Class (Black) and Second Best of Color Class (White) ribbons, which go to the cats in that group that best meet the standard in the opinion of the judge.
Once all color classes of one breed have been judged, the judge will then award Best of Breed (brown), Second Best of Breed (orange) and Best Champion of Breed (purple). The Best Champion will receive one point toward its Grand Championship for each champion it defeated in that breed. Once a cat accumulates 200 points, it becomes a Grand Champion.
· PREMIERSHIP competition is for altered, pedigreed cats over the age of eight months.
Altered cats (neutered males and spayed females) are judged by the same standards as the Championship Class. Awards given, e.g. first, second and third, are the same. Altered cats need 6 winners ribbons to attain the title of Premier, but since there are fewer cats entered for Premiership Competition than in the Championship Competition, only 75 points are required to become a Grand Premier. Cats in Premiership are also presented in a Top 10 Final in the all of the rings.
· PROVISIONAL competition is for those breeds which have not yet achieved championship status. This class is the next-to-last step before a breed is accepted for Championship competition. Cats in this class compete as far as the awarding of Best of Breed, but are not eligible for finals until the breed is advanced to Championship status.
· MISCELLANEOUS competition is for those breeds not yet accepted for Provisional status, but accepted for registration and showing in the Miscellaneous Class. This class puts the breed on exhibition at shows, and allows the judges to examine the cats and discuss their proposed standard. This class receives no awards.
· VETERAN CLASS is for any male or female, altered or unaltered, not younger then 7 years on the opening day of the show that if the owner chose to, could otherwise be shown in the championship or premiership classes.
· HOUSEHOLD PET competition is for all randombred or non-pedigreed cats. Pedigreed cats with a disqualifying trait(s) as listed in the standard for that particular breed are eligible for entry in the Household Pet Class. Entries must have all their physical properties, and must not be declawed. Kittens must be older than 4 months on the opening day of the show and those entries older than eight months must be neutered or spayed.
Household pets are judged in one group without regard to sex, coat length, age, or color. There is no written standard for Household Pets, although the CFA Show Rules state that they many NOT be declawed, and if they are over eight(8) months of age they must be neutered or spayed. They are judged instead for their uniqueness, pleasing appearance, unusual markings, and sweet dispositions. Each household pet reflecting good health and vitality receives at Merit ward (red/white), and at the end of the judging, the best Household Pets are introduced in a final.
For full details on CFA Breed Standards, please refer HERE
