Cats Shows and Showing

People who breed or show cats are called cat fanciers. Although these shows' entry fees are high and prize mony often non-existent, these people all share the same hobby-CATS.

The first show recorded was at St. Giles Fair, Winchester, England in the year 1598. In 1871 at London's Crystal Palace, benched shows with cats exhibited in individual cages were begun and organized by Harrison Weir. 1895 broght the first properly bvenched American cat shows in Madison Square Garden, New York. Soon the idea spread around the world and turned into cat shows today.

In closed-ring shows, cats are normally judged only once, and will need at least 3 winning shows in order to gain important titles. In closed ring shows, the judges usually write a critique for each cat and divy out the placings, marking these on the critique forms. The forms are collected by an Official, and the corrosponding certificates, ribbons and rosettes are distributed by a show team.
In most open-ring shows, cats may get either points or certificates to earn titles on one day. In open-ring judging, thr criteria are the same. Every judge must be an expert in the breed(s) that he or she is to judge. Judges must follow very strict training programs and sit demanding examinations in order to qualify in many associations.
In on-floor judging, the judge accompainied by a steward goes from cage to cage, taking out and assessing the exhibits before placingthem in order and sending official prize slips to an adminisration table for prossesing. The prize slips are then posted on an awards board and th adminisrtaion team gives out prize cards, and at some shows, corresponding ribbons or rosettes, which are then placed on thr show cages by a team of helpers.

American Cat Association (ACA)
America's oldest registry for cats, which has been active scince 1899. It is a fairly small association which shows in the south-east and south-west of the US.

American Cat Council (ACC)
A small association centered in the south-west, which holds modified 'Engligh-style' shows, in which exhibitors are barred during judging.

American Cat Fanciers' Association (ACFA)
One of 3 international associations with affiliated clubs in the US, Canada and Japan. A very democratically run organization, ACFA produces a monthly news bullitin, and grants club charters and individual memberships.

Canadian Cat Association (CCA)
The only Canadian body, its activities are centered mainly in eastern Canada and its quarterly newsletter is published in both English and French.

Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) America's largest registry, incorporated is run by a board of directors. There is a CFA show somewhere in the USA almost every weekend, the association has affiliates in Canada and Japan. CFA produces an impressivly large annual Yearbook packed with information, advertisments and photographs, many in full color.

Cat Fanciers' Federation (CFF)
A medium-sized associationwith its activities centered in the north east of US.

Crown Cat Fanciers' Federation (CCFF)
One of the smaller associations, nevertheless CCFF has mainly shows each year in the north-east and south-east of the US and in western Canada.

The International Cat Association (TICA)
This is the youngest of the associations in the US but is growing rapidly with affiliations in Canada and Japan, TICA produces the newsletter or "trend" 6 times each year and a hardcover yearbook.

United Cat Federation (UCF)
A medium-sized association centered in the south-west of the US.

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