The Turkish Van Site
What Happens at the Cat Show

Well you have arrived at the cat show, set up your new cage curtains, introduced your cat to its exhibition cage, and unpacked your snacks. Now what?

the first rosette awarded to a Turkish Van in CFA

In this photo, "Baby Doc" is in the judging ring getting ready to receive a final award (see the rosette next to him, which designates a top 10 win or "final"). The bottles in front of the judging stand are disinfectant. The judges use this on their hands in between handling each cat. The judging cages (behind the judge) are also cleaned out with disinfectant when the cat goes back to the exhibition area. This minimizes the potential spread of disease.

After you and the kitties are all settled in, you will need to check out the show catalog. When you arrived at the show, you were given a catalog that lists all of the entries in the show and their number. Look up your cats and check the information listed for them to make sure it is correct. If there are errors, you will need to see the Master Clerk to get them corrected. Each of your cats will be assigned a number. The numbers starts with 1 and go up to the total number of cats entered. The general order of numbering the cats is: long haired (LH) kittens, short haired (SH) kittens, LH cats, SH cats, LH premiers or alters, SH premiers or alters. Within each of these groups the cats are numbered in alphabetical order by breed. The Turkish Van will be at the end of each of the LH classes, because they are last alphabetically. Save the best for last, I say!!

Also in your catalog (or sometimes on a separate sheet of paper) will be the general judging schedule for each of the judges on Saturday and Sunday. You should look at this and circle or highlight your kitties' class. You may find from looking at the schedule that your cat will be judged late in the afternoon by judge A, about middle of the day for judge B, and early on by judge C. There is no specific time given for when your cat will be judged, but it does give you some idea.

As much as possible, you can expect that all Turkish Vans will be called up together. The clerk in each ring will announce the number. For example "Kittens #34 through 40 are needed in Ring #1". If you have kittens #36 and 37, that means you must now bring your cat to judging ring #1 to be judged. Each judging ring is marked with its number and the judge's name. The clerk will give three calls before marking a cat absent, so you want to promptly go to the judging ring when your cat is called. A little touch up brushing and inspection to ensure your kitty is still looking his best is in order. Try to plan ahead and do this before your cat is called so you won't be late for judging.

to be continued...

 

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