Junior Handling

[siberiancats]

Excuse if I called it by the wrong name...

I know you can be under 18 & still show  a dog in conformation.But can you  do it with cats? If so, where could I get started? I am very interested in showing.

We are-hopefully going to be getting another cat this summer from a breeder.

 

[GoldyCat]

Where are you located? We can give you more information if we know which associations have cat shows in your part of the world.

 

[siberiancats]

US>Midwest>Wisconsin

 

[flintmccullough]

I show on the CFA circuit, and would be very glad to help you. 

You are in Region 6, Midwest, here is a link, to the Region 6 site. 

http://www.cfamidwest.org/

Your Regional Director is Kathy Calhoun.

http://www.cfamidwest.org/midwestinfo.html

Send her an email, tell her you are a new exhibitor, and ask for a "mentor", she will assign you one, and help you get started. If, for any reason, you encounter a problem, I will contact my Regional Director, and she will take care of it. 

Be very glad to ans any questions you might come across, but start with your Regional Director, she will guide you.

Welcome to the circuit!!  

Here is the CFA site. 

http://www.cfainc.org/

The only time I ever heard Jr or Sr, is in the horse show world, and, it applies to the age of the horse. We also have classes divy up by Under 13, 13-18, this applies to the persons age.  An adult would then go to Amature or Non Pro, but again, this is horse show terminology. 

The classes entered, depend on the breed of the cat, and his/her age, kittens have their own classes and show in SH or LH, and AB, which is All Breed, SH is short hair, LH is long hair, Siberians show in the LH division, how old is the kitty? They are kittens, until they are 8 months old.   Have to be 4 months old to show.

Here is a list of class #, it goes by the breed, then the color, scroll down until you find Siberians.

http://www.cfainc.org/Breeds/BreedColorPrefixChart.aspx

Here is a list, of the competiton classes and their descriptions.

http://www.cfainc.org/Shows/AboutShows/CompetitionClasses.aspx

Read thru the CFA site, kinda gave you the readers digest version, gotta run, let me know if you have any questions, and too, your breeder should be able to help you.  

  

 

[GoldyCat]

Junior Showmanship was an active program in CFA at one time. I haven't seen any shows advertising advertising a Junior Showmanship component for several years and don't know if it's still an official program. I couldn't find anything on the CFA website about it. I did find a link to their Youth Feline Education Program that might give you some of the information you're asking about.

I don't believe there is an age limit for exhibitors in CFA. (I don't have experience in any other associations). I know that we've had owners as young as 7 years old showing in the Household Pet category.

What kind of cat are you planning to get? Will it be a purebred or a rescue cat?

 

[siberiancats]

We're going to get A Siberian from a breeder.There a 6-9 month waiting list, so we'll probably get a kitten this summer

 

[GoldyCat]

I suggest that you check out the shows in your area over the next few months and attend as a spectator. There may or may not be Siberians at a show. If there are you can talk to the owner(s) to find out more about showing cats. You may even find a mentor that way. Even if there are no Siberians being shown any other exhibitor would be glad to talk to you about getting started in showing. Good luck with your new kitty (when you get him/her) and for a long and successful show career.

 

[abymummy]

There is no age restrictions in showing a cat in CFA, IMHO, the younger the better!!! LOL!  My niece (who lives with me) started by bringing the cats to the rings and taking them out, and now, I am slowly teaching her grooming skills....

There ARE age restrictions in becoming a clerk for example.  The youngest unlicensed but efficient clerk I know was 12 when she started,

CFA is revamping the whole Junior showmanship as I recall so will have to look into that for you if you  want.

Just have FUN!