When we first started entering Louie for Cat shows we did not know what to expect (Dec 2005). How would he take to it? (see Should I put my cat in a show?). Being enclosed in a small cage all day. Loads of strange people in a confined room. Being prodded and poked by expert Cat judges. We thought more than twice whether to do it or not. Now we can look back and we are glad that we did. Every time Lou goes he seems to get stronger and more confident in strange situations. The first time we took him he appeared quite nervous and awed by it all, but over the last two years he has seemed to take it in his stride - even appearing quite playful. But one aspect has remained and that is his difficulty with travelling. Usually Lou is not a vocal cat (not like his little blue friend) but when he is in the car his cries tell us he is not enjoying the journeys too much.

 

This is why we vowed to show him only if the show was close to home. Up until this year the only show close by has been theMedway and Maidstone show. But this October there was another cat show- Kentish Cats- at Mote Park at Maidstone. So we thought we would give it a try.

This was the third Show we had entered him for and under rules of the GCFC he would need to get a third certificate so he would earn the title of Premier. Also each certificate has to be recommended by three different judges. After the huge amount of wins in the first two shows we were very optomistic. He should get at least two or three rosettes if we enter him for 7 competitions.

Unfortunately, we came down with quite a crash. At this show he did not win his third premier certificate, did not receive any "nice asides" and managed to muster about two rossettes. So why not? What went wrong?

Well, we acknowledge we are not professional "show people" who may travel the country showing their exhibits.And we had to accept that we had not done him as much justice as we could have done in preparing him and using all the skills to ensure he looked his best. To us it was an outing once a year for our family cat. The real show winners, are bathed, and perpetually groomed in very skilled ways. Also because they go to a lot of shows the cat gets more relaxed and the temperament with the judges is much better. Also as a kitten Lou probably got away with more than now as a full grown neuter.

Still we learnt a lot about preparing Lou for future shows from other owners. A perfect learning experience for the December show in Medway and Maidstone.

 

To add insult to injury, after the last show we recieved a letter from the GCFC to say that Lou had been disqualified from the show at Mote Park. At first we were terribly shocked. What on earth had Lou done to the judges!? But it was a fault that many are tripped up on. If you do not ensure that your Entry form is filled in correctly, if your T's are not crossed or I's are not dotted you could be disqualified. (see How do I enter my Cat for a Cat Show?)

In our case I had made the fatal mistake of only putting my name down as the owner when both Bren and I own him. Only I signed. We do not blame the GCFC for this. They have to keep to their strict rules to protect both cats and owners. On the contrary after the experience of Mote Park we were going in with our eyes wide open.

In December we took Lou to the Maidstone and Medway Cat Show. We weren't so cocky now about his chances. We needn't have worried. Louie attained his third Premier certificate which meant that he could now be classed as a Premier. A Premier is on the same level as a Champion but an award given to neuters.