I took the kittens to a show this weekend. It was "Roxy" the Maine Coon's first show and Church's (and my) second. Roxy is about 4.5 months old and Church just turned 5 months. It was at the Chicagoland Family Pet Expo which is a huge all-pet show held at Arlington International Racecourse (they have a big multi-level building.) They called it a "Household Companion Cat Contest" or something because it wasn't sponsored by any of the cat orgs but the setup was pretty much the same. There was also a CFA show for purebreds only going on in another part of the building that was separate. Roxy is polydactyl so she couldn't enter the CFA show.
The household cat show had two judges yesterday and two today with finals (top 10), then today they did a 'best trick' and 'best costume' competition and then at the end today they did "best in show" which was the top 10 cats with the most points over the two days. There were 17 cats entered.
Yesterday, Church got 5th place with one final and got a "special award" (meaning did not final) certificate for the other which was "Most Playful". Roxy got FIRST place in both finals!!
Today, Church got 8th place in one final and a "special award". Roxy got 5th place in one final and 3rd in the other. I entered them both in the costume contest and Church got first place.
I had him dressed as a punk kitty in a cat dress, a leather studded "belt" (actually a dog collar) and a leather bracelet and matching collar. I own a plaid skirt and a top that look a lot like the cat outfit, but the skirt doesn't fit me so I had my friend's 12 year old sister who came with us wear the matching outfit. Roxy was actually supposed to wear the punk costume because it's a dress, but she hasn't grown into it yet, so we just told Church it was a kilt.
And lastly, Roxy got Best in Show!! Not bad for her first ever show!
I was surprised at their behavior. I expected Roxy to be shy or nervous, she can be shy sometimes with strangers. Church was pretty relaxed and the other show he entered so I thought he'd be calm, but it was the opposite. Church acted a little nervous and hung in the back on the judging cages but was ok once he was out and played, but Roxy was totally unfazed. She meowed while waiting her turn but was fine with the judging and everything, and very interested in the toys.
Here are the photos I took at the show---
Roxy and her Best in Show ribbon with my friend's sister:
The second place winner in BIS, a van calico American Curl:
Our show cage with all the ribbons and certificates:
Here is Roxy getting judged:
Church and my friend's sister in costume:
On the ride home tonight, they were too tired to even get out of the carrier:
This was a "pet show" so there were all sorts of animals! I usually bring my dogs and I always volunteer at the Dog Scouts of America booth, so on Saturday a relative brought Ginger after the cat show ended, so we could help out at the booth:
These adorable pit bull terriers were at a pittie rescue booth (everyone was tired by Sunday afternoon!)
I was really surprised to see a toucan at one bird booth:
I also fell in love with a puppy who was up for adoption at a booth near the cat show... I thought he was a German Shepherd puppy but then I found out he's half Airedale! So adorable... You can see photos here: http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/dis...petid=10402554
The household cat show had two judges yesterday and two today with finals (top 10), then today they did a 'best trick' and 'best costume' competition and then at the end today they did "best in show" which was the top 10 cats with the most points over the two days. There were 17 cats entered.
Yesterday, Church got 5th place with one final and got a "special award" (meaning did not final) certificate for the other which was "Most Playful". Roxy got FIRST place in both finals!!
Today, Church got 8th place in one final and a "special award". Roxy got 5th place in one final and 3rd in the other. I entered them both in the costume contest and Church got first place.
And lastly, Roxy got Best in Show!! Not bad for her first ever show!
I was surprised at their behavior. I expected Roxy to be shy or nervous, she can be shy sometimes with strangers. Church was pretty relaxed and the other show he entered so I thought he'd be calm, but it was the opposite. Church acted a little nervous and hung in the back on the judging cages but was ok once he was out and played, but Roxy was totally unfazed. She meowed while waiting her turn but was fine with the judging and everything, and very interested in the toys.
Here are the photos I took at the show---
Roxy and her Best in Show ribbon with my friend's sister:
The second place winner in BIS, a van calico American Curl:
Our show cage with all the ribbons and certificates:
Here is Roxy getting judged:
Church and my friend's sister in costume:
On the ride home tonight, they were too tired to even get out of the carrier:
This was a "pet show" so there were all sorts of animals! I usually bring my dogs and I always volunteer at the Dog Scouts of America booth, so on Saturday a relative brought Ginger after the cat show ended, so we could help out at the booth:
These adorable pit bull terriers were at a pittie rescue booth (everyone was tired by Sunday afternoon!)
I was really surprised to see a toucan at one bird booth:
I also fell in love with a puppy who was up for adoption at a booth near the cat show... I thought he was a German Shepherd puppy but then I found out he's half Airedale! So adorable... You can see photos here: http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/dis...petid=10402554