SHOW DAY - how it works

Things to Remember on the Day of the Show

Vetting-in: You will need a current valid certificate of vaccination against FIE, FHV & FCV.  The full course must have been completed at least 15 days prior to the show and be current.

Penning: Pen measurements are 4' x 2' x 2' for a double pen & 2' x 2' x 2' for a single.  You may decorate your pen with drapes and something to put on the floor of the pen (carpet or a blanket).  You will also need a litter tray, food bowl and water bowl. You may decorate your pen as you wish and there is often a prize for the best decorated pen. Don’t forget to bring litter and food.

BE ALERT - In front of the table of each judge is the list of which varieties he or she will be judging - this is given in EMS codes and if you are not sure, you can find out the EMS code of your cat by looking in your catalogue, or you can ask one of the Show Team to help you. You need to take notice of how the judging is progressing in that ring so that you are ready to take your cat up when its number is called. Listen also to the announcements being made as your cat’s number will be called out.

What Happens

At most FB shows, the owner presents their own cat to the judges.  When the judge is nearly ready for your cat, an announcement will be made to bring cats of the relevant number to the judge requiring them.  Listen carefully for your cat's number being called and, if you have more than one cat that may be required at a similar time, make sure you have a friend ready to take the cat up, or notify the chief steward that a steward will be needed to help you.  Your cat's number will be displayed on a pen behind the judge also, to indicate they are nearly ready - you may place your cat in the marked pen, or hold them if you wish - but you must be ready when the judge wished to judge your cat.

Your cat will firstly be judged in its class - you can listen to what the judge says about it. It will then be returned to you or to its pen.  At FIFe shows all cats are given a qualification as well as a placement. The qualifications are Excellent for a cat achieving a minimum of 88 points; Very Good for a cat achieving a minimum of 76 points; and Good for a cat achieving a minimum of 61 points.

A ‘Best in Variety’ (BIV) may also be awarded where there are at least three entire cats, kittens, juniors or neuters of the same variety in competition.  Where there are not enough entire cats, kittens and/or juniors, they may be combined for a BIV.  Neuters are never combined with the others. 

Once the judge has judged all the cats in the category, he or she will select the nominations for the Best in Show - your cat may be called up again at this time so that the judge can make his/her final decision - BE PREPARED.

If your cat is nominated for the Best in Show, you will receive a nomination notification on your pen and you must expect your cat to be called up when the Best in Show happens. The cats are called up prior to each category and are put in the holding pens in the judging area so that the Best in Show can proceed smoothly.

Rosettes - Class rosettes may be purchased in the hall - you will need your report form showing the award in order to purchase one.

Best in Show

This is the highlight of the Show and takes place in the afternoon when all the class judging is finished. Each category has its own Best in Show and there are 4 breed categories; category I is the Persians & Exotics, category II is the Semi-Longhairs, category III is the Shorthairs and Category IV is the Siamese & Orientals.  There is also a non-pedigree category for domestic pets.

The nominations from each judge for the relevant category are presented to the panel of judges for that category and those judges vote on the winning male cat, female cat, male neuter, female neuter, class 11 - junior and class 12 - kitten. Very often the winning adult, the winning neuter and the winning kitten compete further for the overall Best of Category. This all takes place in public and is watched by the exhibitors and the public and can be very exciting. The winning exhibits all receive trophies and special rosettes and, in many cases, also extra prizes from the Sponsors.

Cats registered with Felis Britannica are also eligible for the annual Points Awards and of course a Best in Show win carries a lot of points so such wins are important to the exhibitors.

Cats winning at the Best in Show have the opportunity to be photographed by the official photographer at the show.

You may only leave the show after it has been officially closed - to do so beforehand risks the certificates and awards you have won on the day being rescinded.  When you do finally leave, please try not to leave a mess behind you, there are bins for the litter at the end of each row and care should be taken when emptying the trays. Make sure you also have all your belongings from underneath your pen.

Finally, you will find people to be friendly and helpful so ENJOY YOUR DAY as this is a hobby and you should enjoy it.

Special Points to Remember

At FB shows a cat becomes an adult at 10 months of age.  If an exhibit under 10 months of age has been neutered, it is still entered in one of the kitten classes and will be judged as a kitten.

All exhibits are divided by sex in every class.

Exhibits are not judged in their own pens, they are taken to the judging ring and may be put in a holding pen until the judge is ready for them. At many shows the exhibitor may present the cat himself to the judge, other wise the cat will be presented by a steward.

Each exhibit obtains a written report from the judge - these are distributed during the show. An official Certificate of Award card will also be issued; this gives the cat’s name, owner and registration number and will record the results awarded to the cat. Such Certificates should be kept carefully as they will be needed in the event of claiming a title.