GCCF Shows
This information applies to
GCCF shows only. Your pedigree cat must be
registered with the GCCF, properly transferred and fully vaccinated. You should
look up your breed Standard of Points (SOP) and ‘withholding faults’ for your
breed. They are available from the
GCCF along with dates and venues for all the shows. Entry forms have to be
in around six weeks before the show and schedules are available from the show
manager by sending a large SAE. Help with entry forms is available from the show
manager but basically you enter the Open class according to status and colour,
for example Brown Female Burmese and three other side classes that you feel are
appropriate.
Unfortunately a well-socialised
kitten from a reputable breeder doesn’t necessarily make a happy show cat. Some
enjoy all the attention and
others are afraid or bored. Getting your cat used to
a pen can help, as can handling in the manner of a judge. Some people give their
cat a blanket to hide in, but many of the paying public feel short changed when
they can’t see the cats. Remember to discourage people from touching your cat as
it can spread disease.
Show preparation is easy for
shorthaired cats. All you have to do is smooth out the coat with a comb, velvet
or chamois. A bran bath a few days before the show, followed by a brushing with
a chamois leather, will bring the up the shine on a dark coat as will a little
talc on a light coat. All traces must be removed before showing. Ensure ears and
eyes are clean and trim the claws, being careful to avoid the quick.
Check your cat's coat is free of any flea infestations or
scratches, which will see them rejected at ‘Vetting In’.
Requirements for showing are:
White Litter Tray, White
Food Bowl, White Water Bowl,
White Blanket or Vet Bed,
Cat Food, Water and the Vaccination Certificate.
Show kits are available at shows and on-line.
Showing can be an expensive hobby,
particularly if you have several cats. The average entry price is £28, which
allows entry to the Open and three side classes. Further costs include £5
catalogue, £2.50 entry fee for partner, travel costs, plus food and beverages
for the day. Joining the club and paying entry fees upfront can make minor
savings.
Shows are held from 8am - 5pm. You
must be at the Show between 7.30am and 9.30am for the ‘Vetting In’. This is
where the vet will inspect your cat to make sure she is fit to be shown and
check your vaccination card to make sure it is up to date. All being well, they
will sign your entry card and you can proceed to your pen, the number of which
is clearly marked on your entry envelope. After wiping the pen with cat safe
disinfectant, you can then put in your cat's blanket, water, food and litter
tray and get your cat settled. Before leaving the hall for judging around 10am
you should remove food. From 10am until around 12 noon no exhibitors are
permitted in the hall as the Open judging is going on. After 12 noon, you can go
back to the show hall and see how your cat is getting on and give her some food,
but as the Miscellaneous judging may still be going on, try to be unobtrusive,
particularly when the judges are handling your cat. This is a good time to check
the results. The results are written on slips of paper and are placed on boards
with the Class Number at the top, under which is a list of entrants by pen
number, as in the catalogue. If you don’t understand anything just ask. A kindly
Geordie Siamese breeder took us under his wing first time, but it might be a
good idea to enlist the help of your breeder or someone from your breed club or
a member of the show management.
You must remain in the show until
official closure at around 5pm. As the side classes can take some time to
display results, the afternoon is frequently spent shopping at the stalls
surrounding the hall and enjoying chatting and viewing all the other exhibits.
It’s best to treat the show as a day out and a chance to talk to like-minded
people. Every cat has its day, as judges can’t help be slightly subjective.
Rule number one of showing is that you ALWAYS take home the best cat in show
regardless of how many rosettes she may have won. On leaving we wipe our cat
over with an 
antibacterial wipe to prevent transfer of any infection within the
show environment. As a precaution, we also change our clothes and shoes
immediately on returning home.
Of course we all like to win, but at
Purfidelis our rosettes are displayed for a day then end up in a poly bag in the
garage, so we like to think we keep it all in perspective. It is only a hobby
after all. Showing is important to us in that it confirms that we are developing
an eye for cats of good type, measured against the breed standard in a fairly
objective manner. We enjoy meeting up with fellow breeders and treat it as a day
out.
Judge Lillian Niblock had this to say about our foundation girl, Evie: BOB
(Best of Breed) to Malone's Champion Jenuine Outoftheblue Eve (27a). Excellent
overall head type! Short wide wedge, excellent ears, beautiful eyes, super face!
Outstanding coat quality. Excellent body, limbs and tail. A very beautiful lady. Evie has produced Purfidelis Champions, Grand Champions, Imperial Grand Champions, Premiers and Grand Premiers.