Will my Cat Enjoy it?: The most important thing to consider is whether or not your Cat will enjoy the show. Showing is a wonderful hobby and can be a very pleasant day out if your cat is relaxed and calm. It will on the other hand be a dreadful experience if he or she spends the whole day in an anxious and stressed out state.
Rules: To show your Pedigree Cat it must be registered with the GCCF in your name. If the cat is being transferred into your name the transfer must have been received by the GCCF at least 21 days before the show. Ensure you can prove this by sending the GCCF a stamped addressed postcard with the transfer form, they will return this stamped with the date of receipt.
Your kitten must be over 14 weeks of age on the day of the show.
All colours of Somali are eligible for showing at GCCF shows with the exception of Somali Variants (Shorthaired Somalis) which may not be shown.
Your Cat must be up to date with his or her vaccinations against FIE, FVR & FCV (cat flu). These must have been completed at least seven days prior to the show.
There are many other rules set out in the GCCF rule book to protect the health and welfare of cats; a copy of this can be obtained from the GCCF for a small fee. It is important to read these rules thoroughly before showing.
Choosing a Show: Shows are held by GCCF affiliated cat clubs on most weekends, usually on a Saturday. A list of these shows can be obtained from the GCCF or found here on their website. Some clubs have websites where you can download a schedule and entry form. Others you will have to send off for enclosing a 9" x 6" stamped addressed envelope; the GCCF will give you the contact details of the appropriate show manager. Show schedules are available about three months before the date of the show. The entry must be completed and returned before the closing date which is usually about six weeks before show day.
The Schedule: On receipt of the show schedule, carefully read through the information at the beginning of the booklet. This will include any additional rules that the show may have, the ‘vetting in time’, which is the time you must arrive at the show and the ‘Definition of Classes’ which you will need to know when choosing which side classes to enter.
Filling in the Entry Form: It is most important that you fill the form in clearly and carefully as errors can lead to disqualification. Enter the details of your Cat and your name and address exactly as they are printed on the pink registration or transfer slip. Ensure that you enter the correct sex for your cat; if he or she will be neutered on show day you must put MN or FN. Make sure that you sign and date the form. If you have recently applied for transfer of ownership and do not know the registration number of your cat write TAF (Transfer Applied For) in its place.
Open Class:
On the entry form you will see a space for ‘Open Class’, to find
your Open Class number look in the schedule and locate the
correct section;
‘Semi-Longhair’
in the case of the Somali. Decide whether your cat is an Adult, Kitten
or Neuter,
locate this section and find the correct class.
A
Somali will fit into one of four classes from
the appropriate list, either Usual Somali, Sorrel Somali, AOC Somali
or AC Silver Somali.
Grand & Imperial: The ‘Grand’ Classes are for cats who are already titled Champions or Premiers and can be entered in addition to the Open Class. 2005 also sees the introduction of the new ‘Imperial Class’ but if your cat is at this stage then you probably already know what you are doing!
Side Classes: The entry fee usually includes three side classes. These can be chosen from the section titled ‘Miscellaneous Classes’ in the schedule. Again find the correct section; semi longhair - adult, kitten or neuter, then choose three classes from the list and enter the class numbers on your entry form in the space provided. If you wish to enter further side classes you usually can but they have to be paid for in addition to the flat entry fee. If you are a member of a cat club check the back of the schedule to see if your club is holding any special ‘Club Classes’.
Fees: Complete the ‘Fees’ section on the back of the form; fill in the entry fee and amount for any additional classes and state whether you require any other items, such as extra entry passes or a catalogue voucher. Add up the total damage and write them a cheque!
Send the completed form and cheque to the address given in the schedule enclosing a stamped addressed envelope for acknowledgement of receipt of entry. This will avoid arriving at the show hall only to find that your entry was never received. If after sending your entry in you realise that you have made a mistake you must notify the show manager in writing.
Below are a list of terms often used in the schedules which may be of help when entering a show:
SLH - Semi Longhaired
AV - Any Variety
AC - Any Colour
AOV - Any Other Variety
AOC - Any Other Colour
M - Male
F - Female
MN - Male Neuter
FN - Female Neuter
Kitten - Not less than 14 weeks and under 9 calendar months of age on show day
Adult - Entire cat over 9 calendar months of age on show day
Neuter - Neutered cat over 9 calendar months of age on show day
Every exhibitor will have a different way of preparing their Cat for a show, depending on the type of cat, length or fur etc. It is probably a good idea to ask the breeder of your kitten for some advice in this area but here are some basic guidelines based on the preparation of a Somali:
Ears and Claws: The Ears need to be checked and gently cleaned if necessary and the claws must be clipped.
Bathing: If you decide to bath your Cat it is probably best done a few days before the show. You could do a trial run and see how many days after the bath he or she looks best. I usually bath on the Thursday before a Saturday show, then powder on the Friday.
Bathing is definitely a two person job. Before the bath give your cat a thorough brush to remove any loose fur. (It’s a good idea to clip the claws before bathing to avoid getting scratched!) Use a mild, gentle shampoo and make sure you rinse it thoroughly out then wrap the cat in a large towel and gently rub off as much water as you can. Dry with a hairdryer, lifting the hair as you dry and brushing the long fur up backwards, separating each strand.
Powdering: When the coat is completely dry, some grooming powder can be applied. I find it much easier to apply the powder evenly through something like a stocking or a nappy liner. Powder is used to add volume and to separate the cat's hair. Any excess must be brushed out; there should be no evidence of powder left in the coat.
During judging the only items allowed in the pen are a plain white
blanket, a white litter tray full of your usual litter and a white
dish of water. This is to ensure that the cat and its owner are
unidentifiable. These white items can be purchased at the show if
you are unable to obtain them beforehand. All other items such as
food bowls and any toys must be removed from the pen prior to
judging. For this reason white food bowls are not compulsory.
Below is the checklist that I use when packing for a show. I have
separated the list into two sections: Handbag - Items that
need to be accessible before entering the Show Hall and Case
- Items that I pack into a small suitcase on wheels; I find this
much easier than carting a heavy bag about.
Handbag:
-
Show Entry Acknowledgement (in case of any dispute)
-
Vaccination Certificate
-
Map/Route to Show (there is often a map on the back of the schedule)
-
Torch (for map reading in the dark)
-
Pen (for writing down results)
-
Flask of tea (just in case there is nowhere open to get one after you arrive!)
Case:
-
Cat Safe Disinfectant Cage Wipes
-
Top & Tail Wipes
-
Brushes & Combs
-
White Litter Tray
-
Litter
-
Litter Scoop
-
Waste Disposal Bags
-
White Water Bowl
-
Bottle of Water
-
Food Dishes
-
Cat Biscuits
-
Cat Meat and Fork
-
White Blanket (plus spare in case of accident)
-
Fan and Batteries (in summer a clip-on fan may be used after judging is finished to keep your Cat cool)
-
Camera (check if photography is permitted at the show)
You may also wish to take some fold-up chairs with you to sit on next to your cat’s pen during the afternoon. Another useful item, especially if you have more than one cat, is a small trolley to wheel the cats in their baskets from the car to the show hall; sometimes this can be a fairly long walk.
Travelling: Some cats have no problem whatsoever with travelling, if your cat is like this then you are very lucky. If, like my neuter boy, he or she wails and moans whenever they are in the car there is a possible solution. I found that seeing the traffic and scenery flying past seemed to be the thing distressing him so I had a cover made for his carrier. I haven’t heard a peep out of him since! A carrier cover is also useful if it is raining when you have to walk from the car park to the show hall; you wouldn't want your beautifully show-prepped cat to get soaking wet!
Arrival: On arrival at the show venue park in the designated show car park then look for signs leading to ‘Vetting In’ or follow the stream of people carrying cats! There will usually be someone sat at a table handing out envelopes, tell them your name and collect yours. Inside the envelope will be your vetting in slip and any entry passes or catalogue vouchers you may have ordered. Often the vetting in slip details are actually printed on the front of the envelope.
Vetting In: You will then join the queue for vetting in, have your envelope and Vaccination certificate ready. The vet will inspect your cat for evidence of problems such as illness, fleas, ringworm or skin legions. If all is well your vetting in slip will be signed and you can enter the show hall. Do not loose this slip, you will need it for collecting prizes.
Penning: Your cats pen number can be found on the vetting in slip. Locate your pen and wipe it out carefully with disinfectant wipes. You can then set up the white blanket, litter tray and water dish. You may also give your cat some food to help settle him or her down. I find that my Somalis settle better if I leave them alone for a while, so now is a good time to go and get a cup of tea and some breakfast. At 9.45 return to give your cat a final groom and check over, remember to remove the food dish.
Judging: At 10am exhibitors must leave the show hall for judging to commence, at about this time the catalogues become available for collection. Most shows have plenty of cat orientated stalls to keep you entertained and a raffle you can enter. You will also be able to stock up on supplies of cat food and litter if you wish. During judging it is nice to go and buy lunch, a lot of show venues have excellent eateries on site but if not, there is usually a nearby pub or restaurant.
Results:
Locate the ‘results board’ and watch out for results to be posted
throughout the afternoon. They are posted according to class number
with the Grand and Open results being first up. Watch for a strip of
paper to be stuck below your Open Class number, it will list the pen
numbers of all the cats in the class and next to each pen number
will be written the cats prize; 1st, 2nd or 3rd. At the bottom of
the strip will be the pen number of the cat to win ‘Best of Breed’.
If the judge does not deem any cat in the class worthy of ‘Best of
Breed’ it can sometimes be withheld, if this is the case you will
see BOB W/H written. If you are showing an adult or adult neuter cat
you may also see CC or PC written by your cats name, meaning that a
Challenge or Premier Certificate has been awarded, this can also
sometimes be withheld. Three Challenge or Premier certificates
awarded by three different judges gains your cat the title of
‘Champion’ or ‘Premier’. Once your cat has made it to Champion or
Premier it will be eligible to enter the Grand Classes where Grand
Challenge/Premier Certificates are awarded, likewise three of these
make your cat into a Grand Champion or Grand Premier.
Rosettes: You will be allowed back into the show hall at around 12.30pm. At this point you can put food and toys back into your cat’s pen. Some of the side classes will still be being judged so be prepared to get out of the judges way if necessary. Prize cards and some rosettes will be delivered to your pen but at most shows you have to collect the rosettes yourself. Take your prize card with your vetting in slip up to the rosette table and you will be given the rosette. You don’t have to wait until all the results are in, rosettes may be collected one at a time if you wish. If your cat has won a CC or PC this will be delivered at the end of the show.
Best in Show: Many shows hold a ‘Best in Show’ or BIS. Best of Breed winners are considered for ‘Best of Variety’ Adult, Kitten and Neuter. From these an overall Best of Variety or BOV is selected, (‘Variety’ being Semi-Longhair in the case of the Somali). The seven Best of Variety are usually taken to special decorated pens crammed full of goodies and then judged, often on stage, for overall ‘Best in Show’.
Close of Show: The show will usually close some time between 4.30 and 5.30pm. It is a disqualifiable offence to remove your cat from its pen before this time. If you do have to leave early for any reason you must get the show managers permission first. Wait until the show manager makes an official announcement that the show is closed then you may pack up and leave. Show days are long and tiring for the cats as much as they are for you. Even if your cat does not do well at the show you should enjoy the experience and give him or her lots of extra love and attention just for participating.
The only
GCCF
show which differs from the information given on this page is the
‘GCCF Supreme Show’ held once a year in November at the Birmingham
NEC. This show is organised by the GCCF itself rather than by an
affiliated club. At the Supreme each cat is given a double pen which
may be decorated as elaborately as you desire. The Supreme has no
side classes and a different ‘Open Class’ procedure. To enter the
Supreme a kitten must first win its Open Class at another show and
an adult must gain a CC or PC. For more information about the
Supreme please visit the
Supreme Show Website.
