At the beginning of their show career, a majority of new exhibitors
may think that the objective of showing cats is to make as many
finals, get as many rosettes as possible. Nothing could be further
from the truth. The final and rosette is merely a mile marker
or guidepost….it is not a destination unto itself.
Certainly no one enters a show to lose, but each exhibitor may have a different goal that weekend than the exhibitor benched beside him. Think of a show as not one single race, but an obstacle course on which many races and events are held simultaneously. In fact, just as the cat fancy has different competitive divisions, this subliminal cat show has divisions of its own.
The Breeder Division
Competitors ‘entered’ in races here are interested
in knowing how their breeding program is coming along. The placements
that their cats achieve at a show give them feedback as to how
the physical result of putting together those pedigrees has worked….or
not. Seeing their cat in direct competition with a cat of the
same breed shows the good and bad points of each cat as compared
to its breed standard. They will also have the benefit of an objective
opinion of several judges. Objectivity is often difficult for
a breeder who sees their cats day in and day out.
The Training Camp
Dominated primarily by kittens with older cats often competing
as well. The objective of showing in the “Training Camp
Division” is to see which cats/kittens have the temperament
to be a future show cat – or not. Sometimes only one show
is all that it takes. After an entry or two in this “Proving
Ground” race, they may move on to the “Confidence
Building Wall.” Here, young entrants learn that the showhall
is not such a scary place, there can be toys involved, and that
showing can be fun! Finally, some entrants may take a side course
in “Charm School” where they develop poise, grace,
and show sparkle (and sometimes how to schmooze the judge!). None
of these things can be taught at home; it takes the environs of
the showhall for cats to develop these skills.
Show Cats for Dummies
No the title of this contest is not meant as an insult. It refers
to the popular “…For Dummies” series regarded
by most as a good, basic level introduction into the named field.
In this showhall event, the new exhibitor learns the art of showing
a cat – how to groom, how shows are conducted, and the other
basics of showing. It also has a companion event “(XXX
Breed) For Dummies” in which the new exhibitor
learns about a given breed. This contest can be run in conjunction
with or just prior to….
The Cat Calling Card Contest
In this event, the novice exhibitor gains introduction to the
cat show world and more specifically, introduction to breeders
within his breed. In society long ago gentle people would arrive
with letters of introduction and precede visits with a calling
card. Here the cat acts as the calling card and vouches (or not)
for the sincerity of the new exhibitor’s intent to work
with the breed. When the new exhibitor later approaches an experienced
breeder for a cat, stud service, or a cat to show, he will be
a known quantity. New exhibitors are encouraged to play these
latter two events on the Premiership field as there will be fewer
obstacles (such as hormones) than on the Championship field.
The 200 Point Pick-Up (and its parallel event, the
75 Point Pick-Up)
Sadly, this is the most popular and most conspicuous event. Cats
come out, collect the points necessary for a Grand (Champion or
Premier) title, and are whisked off, never to be seen again. Sometimes
it is because this cat is better suiting for running events on
the Mommy (or Daddy) Track which is always held in the confines
of the cattery. Other times it is because the owner is trying
to pick up Grand titles on a cat he is trying to achieve a DM
title on. But unfortunately, some owners simply retire the cat
simply because they feel that once the cat has earned its Grand
title (and they have no intentions of running for a higher win)
that they cannot show it. And even more sadly, other exhibitors
have been known to ‘bully’ the exhibitor into not
showing the cat the second that he has earned his grand title.
IF the cat is a good example of its breed and IF he enjoys showing
there simply is no good reason not to show him…if that is
what the owner chooses to do. That cat would be a great contender
in the….
100 Meter Social Butterfly
In this event, the object is not to win or lose. It’s playing
the game for the joy of it. The cat has a good time, shows the
cat fancy and the public a good example of the breed. The owner
gets to enjoy hanging out with friends for the weekend, maybe
have a nice dinner Saturday night. The cat may earn a rosette…or
not. But a good time is had by all!!
So one sees that (with the exception of the goal to obtain a Grand Final) not one of the aforementioned events has the goal of making a final. Yet all are certainly worthwhile and necessary goals. In fact, in most cases they may actually be more worthwhile and important than making a single final!