Classes and Awards

It would be much simpler if cat Shows around the world were all based on the same principles and rules but unfortunately they are not. For instance kittens in North America are deemed as four to eight months old, but in Britain they are deemed three to nine months old. Also, in North America, unlike UK and Europe, instead of having Open Classes, the Cat is innitially entered into one basic colour class for its breed. This can get very confusing, so lets start from the beginning and try to get rid of the jargon.

Classes and Eligibility

Cat shows throughout the world are organized by cat associations. This could be clubs based on locality, pedigree and breed,or sponsering clubs. This is a good thing as it helps to ensure set rules and proccesses are adhered to within each country. As a general rule your cat can either be an "entire" a "neuter"(both classed as aduts) or a kitten. Entires (or cats that have not been spayed or neutered) only compete against Entires. The same stands for kittens and neuters.(except in the Open-see below.) They will compete on the basis of Breed, colour,and sex.

Adult classes are further divided into sections that depend on age and how often the cat has been shown. For instance Novice classes are for cats that have never been shown before, Juniors are under two years old, Seniors for above two years. Then there is the Champions and Grand Champions classes. You can enter your cat for as many classes as you wish but the average is around six or seven. the most important class by far is the Open Class where your cat will compete against all other neuters, entires, kittens, of the same breed and colour , adult or kitten. At the end of the day the cat assessed by the judges to be supreme in the Open are put forward as best in show or best of breed.

Awards and Champions

Throughout the world the winners recieve awards. Sometimes in sponsered classes thier maybe prize money. In the UK, class winners are given prize cards and rosettes depending on whether the cat came first(red) second(blue) or third.(yellow). Other awards are Challenge Certificates which lead to the award of Champion(entire), Premier(neuter),Grand-Champion(entire) and Grand-Champion(neuter).

To be awarded a Challenge Certificate at show the judge must be suitably impressed within the Open class. If the cat recieves three Certificates at three different shows by three different judges he will be classed as a Premier or a Champion. He will now be able to place Pr. or Ch. before his Pedigree name. They will also recieve a medal from the GCCF to recognize the achievement. To become a Grand-Champion he must start getting Certificates again when competing in Champion of Champion classes.

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