Could someone briefly describe a Cat Show. I'm attending one this month in Newburgh, NY, and would like some info regarding what I will see. Is there, for example a better day to attend (first or second)? Is there a way to find out when varying breeds will be shown to plan attendance? Thank you - Bob

-- Anonymous, June 14, 1999

Answers

There is no particular difference in attending the first or second day of a show as the same number of rings are done on both days. Howevever, some would say that the advantage of day one is that the cats and exhibitors are less tired. You did not say which organization's cat show you will be attending. I assume it is a CFA (Cat Fanciers Association) show but it may also be a TICA (The International Cat Association) show or even some other organization. There is a difference in how the shows go (I always feel that the TICA shows are much more interesting to spectators as they certainly move a lot faster with more rings, etc.!). All breeds of cats are shown on both days so there is no single day when you can see one particular breed of cat. In TICA, for example, there are often 6 rings (6 judges) on each of two weekend days. Usually, 4 judges are "allbreed" judges and 2 are "specialty" judges. This means, for instance, that the allbreed judges will look at ALL kittens, both longhair and shorthair, and will during the day select their favorite 10 kittens. Later on that judge will call back their favorite 10 kittens into a "final" ring and will then announce their placements from 1-10. Each allbreed judge will see all the kittens and make their own selections of their favorite 10. "Specialty" judges will see all the longhair and shorthair kittens again, but instead of selecting their favorite 10 from both hair types, they will have two sets of "finals" rings and will give their top 10 shorthair kittens awards and then their favorite top longhair kittens awards. The same processes apply to the other categories of cats seen, i.e. "whole" cats (breeding cats) and "alters" (neutered/spayed cats). If you go to the websites for these two associations, you can find more information on cat shows: http://www.tica.org/frames.htm http://www.cfainc.org/ Enjoy the shows! If you have more questions, feel free to get back in touch.

-- Anonymous, June 15, 1999

Ihave attended both a CFA and a TICA show. I find that a TICA show is much more interesting than a CFA show. I just purchased my first show mainecoon. One piece of warning you cannot touch the cats. When I went to my first show I did not know that. Either day is a good day. All the cats will be there both days. Try to go to both a CFA show and a TICA show. To me on my first show I was hooked on showing cats. I hope you have alot of fun and good luck.

-- Anonymous, June 26, 1999