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Koshka
Black Opal
Multiple Supreme in Show Awards
Group 3 Kitten of the Year 2001
Best in Group
Best Exhibit in
Show
(16 weeks old) |
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Double Grand Champion
Koshka
Blue Hyacinth
Multiple Supreme Awards, Kitten of the Year, Best of Breed,
Best in Group
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Gold Champion
of Champions
Koshka Touch of Class Koshka Denim 'n Lace |
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Multiple Supreme
Winners; Kitten of the Year; Cat of the year; Best of Breed;
Best in Group |
Judging at Cat
Shows |
Cat shows can be a lot of fun for breeders
and judges alike, however, the actual judging is a serious
business and is carried out by highly qualified people who have
generally dedicated their lives to the world of cats. Qualifying
to be a judge is a long intensive process that includes,
extensive experience and impeccable reputation as a breeder,
attendances at hundreds of shows and participation in both
written and practical classes over a number of years, learning
how to handle each type of cat and acquisition of an extensive
understanding of all breeds of cat and the different
breed
characteristics.
A good judge should also have an in-depth knowledge of cat anatomy,
physiology and cat behaviour traits, coupled with exceptional
skills in handling and public presentation. Each entrant presents
differently and, maintaining control of an animal that has a
"mind of its own" in an open public forum, while providing
breeders and the general public with an entertaining and informative
overview, plus, running commentary, takes a fair degree of
experience and skill.....Cat Judging is an art-form in itself, as captured
in the photographs below. |
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Visiting French Judges
Adele Noelle & Phillipe
Noelle (dec.) |
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Checking balance in body,
head, ears and coat quality from back view. |
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Checking density of coat and
fullness of the ripple on shoulders & spine. |
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Checking overall profile,
shape, forehead shape, chin strength and bite. |
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Feeling tail from base to
tip for kinks, & other skeletal faults. |
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Koshka Denim
'n Lace
Best in Group |
Visiting USA Judge
Daryl Newkirk |
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Using a feather to distract
Koshka Sonny Jim so as to check overall balance and alertness |
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Checking ear set, eye shape
& colour |
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Visiting USA Judge
Kim
Everett |
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Using a feather to attract
enough attention for Koshka Dynamite Nina to pose without restriction. |
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Many cat governing bodies have a requirement
that judges select their winning cats on the basis of an accrual
of points awarded from an officially recognised
show points scale.
Points are allocated for each aspect of a show cat's
presentation including, head shape, overall body shape and
balance, paws and leg shape, tail length and thickness, eye
shape and colour, whisker length and degree of curl or kink, and
coat density, quality and depth of ripple. Points allocated for
each body part or
coat characteristics
are then tallied and an overall score awarded. The perfect cat
can accrue a total possible number of 100 points. This is a
highly objective and fair means of judging.
There are some less objective aspects to judging as well, however.
A cat's
personality
and behaviour are also of great importance as there
is usually only one, short-lived chance to impress each judge
on the day. A cat that "shows" well, by posing naturally
and playing up to the judge has a distinct advantage over a
cat that cowers or takes fright. . Not only because it is more
likeable, but also because a cat that displays well, without
coaxing, makes it easier for a judge to view/assess all the
required breed characteristics and to allocate the points in
a fair and accurate manner. The way a cat shows, poses or behaves,
often determines the winner on the day when two or three exceptional
cats share closely aligned over-all point scores.
While an exceptional cat that displays perfect "show manners"
may be awarded a win over exceptional peers that are not as
well behaved, the reverse is true if a cat that is exceptional
in type, behaves badly or aggressively. Poor behaviour, and,
aggression in particular, are not acceptable or endearing characteristics
and an offending cat is likely to be severely penalised. Aggression
of any kind attracts an "Unable To Handle" (UTH)
classification, resulting in disqualification on that day. This
is a rare occurrence as the majority of show cats are trained
for the show bench from the time they are kittens and very quickly
learn to enjoy the outing and the attention they receive. |
Show Awards Certificate |
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Each time a cat is entered into a show, the Group and Breed
placing and Special Awards are listed on a certificate. These
certificates are official documents and must be retained as
part of the documentary evidence for accumulated Championship
or Cat/Kitten of the Year points that may be awarded over the
year. The following example is a Show Certificate, outlining
the categories won by Koshka Black Opal in a 3 ring show .that
included a Supreme Exhibit In Show Award. Championship points
were not awarded in this instance as Opal was still a kitten
and too young to be eligible for Championship points. |
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Sashes, Ribbons & Rosettes |
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Sashes |
Rosettes
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Most cat shows award a variety of ribbons,
sashes and rosettes to the winners in each Breed, Group and Best
in Show. Sashes and trophies are usual for
Cat/Kitten/Breeder of the Year. Many of the top breeders and
visiting judges donate sashes and rosettes to outside cat
organizations and clubs. It is always an honour to be awarded a
special sash or rosette that has been donated, especially if it
has come from another state or country.
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