The
Aristocats Club

Click here for the printable pdf of this guide!

Introduction

Is this your first FIFe show? ... or have you been before, but everything is still going past in a blur, with you relying on friends and officials to make sure your cat is where it's supposed to be, when it's supposed to be there?  And do you know at the end of the day how your cat has done ... or are you not quite sure just what did happen that day, or what to do with the bits of paper, etc that have appeared on your pen?!  Well, you're not alone - so read on and hopefully all will become slightly clearer as you go!

Vetting In

The first thing that happens on arrival is vetting in.  Somebody will mark your cat's name off the exhibitors' list, give you a small envelope (and a catalogue if you ordered one), and probably check your vaccination certificates at the same time, although that last check might be left to the vet to do.

When it's your turn, present your envelope and the certificate if it hasn't already been checked, then get your cat out and place it on the table.  The vet will do a basic check for fleas, mites, injuries, etc (including making sure non-neutered boys have *both* their family jewels in evidence!) - then hopefully (s)he'll mark your envelope to say your cat is okay and you're in!

Getting Organised

Okay, so now you're in the show-hall - check the front of your envelope and you'll find the name of your cat, along with its catalogue number and the pen number allocated to you. 

Note: Single pens at UK FIFe shows are 2' cubes, double pens are 4' wide.

Find your pen, install your cat and its equipment (a food bowl, a water bowl, a litter tray and what goes in each, plus a bed or mat - and, optionally, curtains to 'decorate' the pen).  Many shows have a prize for best-decorated pen, so if you're feeling creative ...!

Use a piece of elastic to attach your cat's tag (from the envelope) around its neck, and once the cat is comfortable (first priority!), check your catalogue:

1.    to make sure that every detail of your entry is correct (if not, tell the show manager so it can be corrected immediately);

2.    to note your cat's number, and

3.    to find which is your cat's judge.

When you are happy with the catalogue, then find the judging tables at one end of the hall and check your judge's list to see the order in which (s)he'll be working.  The breeds/ groups will be listed by EMS code, so by checking in the catalogue how many cats are in each group on the list you can get a fair idea of how long it'll be before the judge sees your cat, but you'll need to keep an eye on your judge's table so as to be ready when your cat is called, which will be by its catalogue number only.  The judge doesn't have to stick to the order of the list, though, so do listen to hear if/when your number is called.

The Judging

At most shows, when your cat is required you will be required to present him/her to the judge.

If you have more than one being seen at the same time get a friend to help or ask the steward.  You can place your cat in the holding pen with its number on if you wish, or hold it until its number is called to be brought up to the judge.

Notes:

1. Kittens become Juniors at six months, and Juniors become Adults at ten months.  Kittens/Juniors can be  neutered or not - no distinction is made at this age.

2. In all cases (except kitten/junior BIV/BIS), males and females are judged separately.

First, each cat is judged in its class - you get to hear what the judge says, and also get a written report and results card later in the day.  Then the cat is returned to you or its pen while the rest of its class and group/breed are judged.  The judge will then either tell you your cat can go - or ask you to wait for the next stage.

Scoring

Each cat is scored out of 100 points on how closely it meets its breed standard (although you are not told what score your cat receives).  To receive an 'Excellent' rating the cat must score 88, 'Very Good' needs 76 and 'Good' needs 61.  Hence the winning cat in a class receives 'Ex1' (or 'VG1' or 'G1'), second will get  'Ex2', etc.  In reality a cat that fails  to get at least 'Ex' on more than one occasion is probably not really a show qualty cat.

Titles

Adults winning their class (and whom the judge feels merit it) can be awarded certificates towards FIFe titles.

•  In the open class, the winner may be awarded a CAC (CAP for neuters) - winning 3 of these makes a cat a Champion (Premier for neuters).

• They then move up a class and compete for CACIBs/CAPIBs - 5 are needed to become an International Champion/Premier.

• Then 7 CAGCIBs/CAGPIBs will make the cat a Grand International Champion/ Premier.

• And finally - it's 10 CACEs/ CAPEs to become a European Champion/Premier.  Phew!

The judge can award a Prize of Honour (POH) certificate to any cat that has attained EC/EP.

Notes:

1. the numbers of certificates needed for each title is for the UK only; the requirements are slightly different on the continent.

2. To claim a title: the cat must be registered with FIFe and all relevant reports & certificates should be sent, with its FIFe pedigree & fee, to your club.

Best In Variety

Once all cats in that group of that breed have been judged in their classes, they are judged together for Best in Variety (BIV).  There needs to be a minimum of three each of cats, kittens, juniors and neuters for a BIV to be awarded, although all except the neuters can be combined to make up the numbers if necessary.  Neuters are always done separately.

Nomination

When the judge has seen all the cats in a category, (s)he will choose the best ones for nomination to the Best in Show panel; (s)he can nominate one each of adult male, adult female, neuter male, neuter female, junior and kitten, so you may have to bring your cat back to be compared to the others of its type so the judge can make his/her nomination.

Best in Show

If your cat has been nominated for Best in Show, it will be required to be presented for BIS, which will take place after the judges have had a lunch break.

LISTEN VERY CAREFULLY TO THE ANNOUNCEMENTS!

Each of the categories has its own BIS awards:

Category I - Persians & Exotics
Category II - Semilonghairs
Category III - Shorthairs
Category IV - Siamese & Orientals
Category V - Household Pets

The categories are often not done in order, so the show manager will anounce which category BIS is being done next, and then list cat numbers which are required to be presented for this particular one.  When your cat's number is called, you should bring him/her up and place him/her in the holding pen with its number on, then sit back to watch the show.

Each qualified judge will have nominated, for instance, one adult male in that category.  These cats are then judged against each other by all the judges qualified to judge that category to choose the BIS Adult Male for that category.  This is repeated for the adult females, neuter males, neuter females, juniors (either sex) and kittens (either sex).

The adult male and female winners will then be judged against each other to get the adult BIS (the other gets BOX, or Best Opposite Sex), and the neuter male and females the same.  Many shows then judge the best adult, neuter, kitten and junior together to get Category BIS.

Finally, after all the categories have been judged, there *may* be an Overall Best in Show where the Category BIS cats are judged together to find the best cat in the show, but not all shows do this.

Rosettes, Reports, etc

You will be given a written report on your cat and a certificate (results card) stating what your cat has achieved - these will appear on top of your pen at some point during the day.  Class rosettes (for CAC, Ex1, Ex2, etc) can be bought on presentation of the certificate showing the award.  Rosettes for BIV and nomination, and of course Best in Show wins & prizes, are presented without extra charge.

The End of the Show Day

No show cats are allowed to leave the show hall until the show manager announces that the show is closed - at 5pm usually, or after the BIS if it's later - this is because members of the public who pay to enter the hall are entitled to see the cats, too! 

Once the show manager has announced the show is closed, just dump used litter, water, etc carefully in the bins provided, pack up all your gear - and cats! - and head for home. 

Hope this guide helps - and enjoy your Show Day!

     
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All Photographs are shown with the kind permission of Robert Fox at www.photopaws.co.uk
(unless noted otherwise)

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