Hi,

Saturday I went to the National at Bracknell, Sunday I went to the TICA show near Coventry, and I also went to the Supreme a few weeks ago. As a newbie to visiting cat shows, I was really surprised at the difference.

The Supreme was very busy. The cages were nearly all highly decorated. I couldn't tell how the judging was being done. The exhibitors were either not at the cages or if they were, were not very friendly or welcoming.

The National was slightly less well attended, but still very busy, there was no decoration on the cages, bedding etc was white. I did see the judges going around the cages. The exhibitors were more open to talking to the public.

At the TICA show, there were hardly any members of the public there at all. The exhibitors nearly all seemed to have their own fold up nylon type cages. Unfortunately it was difficult to see the cats through the mesh, but I soon discovered it wasn't an issue. The cats were proudly carried to the judging areas by their owners and the whole atmosphere was so friendly. Exhibitors went out of their way to talk and be helpful. In fact, most exhibitors I walked by started the conversations with me themselves.

So, for me as a newbie visitor, it was a surprise to discover such a huge contrast between shows. My favourite was definitely the TICA show. I was told there was different ways of judging at the shows too and different criteria looked for and points awarded within the breeds. I found this confusing and would like it explained. I also began to discover there was not much love lost between some of the various show policies & politics and would like to learn more about that as well. So I hope some here will educate me.

Hi Mary - I think you'll get some differing opinions here

The Supreme is (for the sake of what were talking about here) the only GCCF show where the pens are decorated. This is because the cats are taken, by stewards, to the different 'rings' to be judged; so, somewhat similar to TICA. For all other GCCF shows, the cats are judges at their pens, by the judge and so the pens have to be 'anonymous' - hence the all white garb at the National. At the Supreme, you should have been able to watch and listen to the judging as it proceeded at the rings. Unfortunately, very few GCCF seem to be comfortable talking the crowd who gather around the rings - I suppose they're just not used to it

On the face of it, there "shouldn't" have been too much difference in the friendliness of the National and Supreme shows as both are GCCF and although run on a different format, the usual 'crowd' of exhibitors would have been the same. Perhaps it was just the general atmosphere on the day?

The Standard of Points (what judges compare the cats against to see how well they match it) is a little different (certainly is in my breed anyway) for all the breeds between TICA and GCCF.

From a personal point of view I've a strong bias towards GCCF shows. Mostly because those are what I started out with/have stuck with. I have done a few TICA shows and, quite honestly, as much as I found the general atmosphere more relaxed, in my breed there just isn't sufficient competition, plus I enjoy, when I go to shows, looking at lots of cats of the breed I have so that's another drawback for me.

I probably no longer notice that 'lack of friendliness' (if it exists and to some extent it possible does in comparison to TICA shows) I'm always happy to chat to anyone but I do get distracted a lot by all the more familiar faces who I only get to see infrequently at shows. Perhaps that's why GCCF shows are a bit more cliquey? I'm not sure.

As far as policitics and 'not much love lost' goes... well... when all's said and done it's a competitive hobby so there's an element of that in both camps

I'm actually interested to read what anyone else might contribute to this thread actually

well I will throw a whole other spanner in to the works as it's generally FIFe shows I attend. The GCCF of course jst being a British thing (right??).

I really noticed at the supreme last month that I missed the owners being at the cages. It made it almost impossible to ask any questions. We walked down one row at the supreme and say from the 50 pens... there was one owner there at that moment, and about 6 owners later in the day on the same row of cats. Which i found a real pain as I really wanted to ask a couple of questions about blue spotted BSHs.

Whereas if I compare that to the FIFe show we attented on Saturday, (with the excpetion of the lunch break) the vast majority of owners are at their cages (or behind them) the vast majority of the time. So in a row of 50 pens, at one time, 40 or more would be "manned". And the owners/breeders are always very friendly which to me is very important. I don't show, but i do hope to learn something from shows.

I have never been to a TICA show so can't compare with those.

The only thing I preferred with the GCCF show rules (when compared to FIFe) was the "all white" idea. But that's just me being moany as I hate all those god awful colours and designs evident at the supreme. I would much have preferred to see the cats on white backgrounds as I get a much better idea viewing a cat on white (as opposed to Burberry checks or polokadots).

Here we have only attended GCCF run shows so i cannot comment on any others but have always enjoyed the way they GCCF shows are run, Generally most exhibitors will take time to chat to the public when they are allowed in but of course you do always get little " cliques " but you soon learn to avoid these lol , i would imagine you will get these at all shows too not matter which group runs them , and i have always found the judges at shows to be very aproachable once they have finished there judging for the day and they will always take time out to discuss any points about your cat/kitten . good luck in your showing......CHRIS

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I got a bit p*ssed off at the supreme with people with camera phones going right up to the bars of my kitten's pen with flash and flashing it in her eyes. She wasn't happy so neither was I and when I spotted anyone going in with phone or camera I told them to take the flash off, and better still, at least ask my permission as I was stood right there. Doesn't hurt for the to ask.

Some nice polite people asked about her, and her colour and who had bred her and I happily answered their questions or let them have a pic once they'd ask.

I went to one TICA show as an exhibitor and first time anyone had said anything b*tchy to me about my cat, well, at least to my face

It's only just occurred to me why, at GCCF shows (including the Supreme) you won't find exhibitors at their pens nearly so much as at other, non-GCCF shows At all GCCF shows the handling is done by the judges steward so the exhibitors can wander off round the show hall or go have a coffee, etc. At non-GCCF shows exhibitors need to be by their pen, or at least in very close vicinity, to listen out for when their cat's pen number is called do they can take their cat promptly to the ring to be judged.

The above might have made sense without the typos

Tje, yes, GCCF is just British... terribly British

That's just reminded me of something. I visited a show in Utrecht a few years ago with a friend. I quite liked the non-all white pen thing; she said "it looks like a bloody jumble sale". For some ridiculous reason (probably tiredness) we wound have a stand up argument in the middle of the hall. All that way, just to have a row

Sorry, I'm monopolising the thread. I'll shut up now

I much preferred the white compared to the "jumble sale" look. I went to see the cats, not the curtains. Curtains etc, nice as they are, seem to be detracting and distracting from their feline majesties. I did notice there were very few of some breeds at the Tica, so yes, prizes would be somewhat easier to obtain.

I spent a fortune at the Supreme on toys etc and enjoyed all the trade stands. The other shows had much more limited trader support. Parking at Bracknell was a total nightmare, and that will certainly put me off going there again. Coventry parking was fine, but then again I doubt if 50+ public went through the door. Such a shame.

I also had no idea how expensive it is to participate! Is there any financial reward for winners other than the kudos?

Thank you for the comments so far. Hopefully I haven't pulled a pin out of a grenade.

Did you know there was overflow parking at the back (right to the exit) of the Sports Hall in Bracknell? Loads of spaces there.