JUNIOR SHOWMANSHIP PROPOSAL

Junior Showmanship is a program that provides the opportunity for young people between the ages of 8 and 18 to be competitive in the showmanship world. The program is focused more on the person and not the cat they are showing. The program is designed to promote knowledge of CFF standards, general feline health, grooming and care of the cat, as well as to develop qualities such as self-confidence and sportsmanship in the handler.

The handler will be judged on the ability to handle his/her cat and the ability to answer a list of questions. The handler will be asked to present their cat to the judge to emphasize the cat’s best attributes, answer questions on general care of cats, and answer questions on CFF rules and regulations. Junior Showmanship is intended to introduce the young exhibitors to participate in the sport of showing cats.

Any club that is approved to hold a CFF licensed show may also offer a Junior Showmanship completion.

Junior Showmanship is judged on the exhibitor’s knowledge of breeds and CFF rules and regulations and the ability and skill of the exhibitor in presenting their cats in the show ring. The cat must be CFF registered unless it is being shown for the first time. The show qualities of the cat shall not be considered but it must be groomed as if for show. The judge must be prepared to excuse any Junior Showman handler who cannot control the cat. The cat can either be a Pedigreed cat or a Household pet.

Age of the exhibitors in Junior Showmanship is between 8 and 18.

Novice: This class is for boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 12 who at the date of the show, have NOT competed and passed in three Novice classes at licensed shows. The cat may compete in regular competition held in conjunction with the Junior Showmanship ring and the JS judge may handle and judge the cat in regular completion.

Novices are questioned on basic care/health of the cat, and very basic breed information, where appropriate.

Junior: This class is for boys and girls between the ages of 8 and 12 who at the date of the show, HAVE completed and passed three Novice classes. The cat may compete in regular competition held in conjunction with the Junior Showmanship ring and the JS judge may handle and judge the cat in regular completion.

Juniors and Seniors should be able to answer more difficult questions. This is the first time exhibitors will be ranked. This level is intended to be more formal then the Novice level, and it is important that both the judge and the exhibitor maintain a respectful distance. Exhibitors must remember to not introduce either themselves or their cats by name or title. At this level, the participant presents their own cat and answers specific questions regarding the strengths and weaknesses of that cat when compared to the breed standard, where appropriate.

Presentation is very important at the Junior/Senior level. The cat should be emphasized in the presentation, not the handler. The exhibitor should strive to show the best of the cat while being able to verbalize the good qualities of their cat. His/her skills will be demonstrated by the cat’s response and cooperation. The key for the participant to develop a method that allows them to assess the cat in a smooth and flowing manner that moves with the cat’s natural movement. The focus is how smooth yet discerning the handling of the cat appears to be.

Senior: This class is for boys and girls between the ages of 13 and 18 who have completed and passed three Novice classes . The cat may compete in regular competition held in conjunction with the Junior Showmanship ring and the JS judge may handle and judge the cat in regular completion.

Juniors and Seniors should be able to answer more difficult questions. This is the first time exhibitors will be ranked. This level is intended to be more formal then the Novice level, and it is important that both the judge and the exhibitor maintain a respectful distance. Exhibitors must remember to not introduce either themselves or their cats by name or title. At this level, the participant presents their own cat and answers specific questions regarding the strengths and weaknesses of that cat when compared to the breed standard, where appropriate.

Presentation is very important at the Junior/Senior level. The cat should be emphasized in the presentation, not the handler. The exhibitor should strive to show the best of the cat while being able to verbalize the good qualities of their cat. His/her skills will be demonstrated by the cat’s response and cooperation. The key for the participant to develop a method that allows them to assess the cat in a smooth and flowing manner that moves with the cat’s natural movement. The focus is how smooth yet discerning the handling of the cat appears to be.

The cat does not necessarily need to be owned by the JS exhibitor but must be able to be handled by them. It is recommended that the same cat be used throughout the Novice level. The young person should be responsible for all aspects of the cat during the show dates, including feeding, grooming, and all other care and presentation for the ring.

It is strongly suggested that, in the Junior and Senior levels, the exhibitor select another breed or type of cat to work with and exhibit. The cat does not have to reside with the exhibitor but they must be able to be handled by them.

Entries: The entry fee for the Junior Showmanship ring is $5.00 (a double cage is included in this fee). The special Junior Showmanship entry form, available from the club or the CFF Central Office must be used. Entries for the Junior Showmanship close at the same time as regular entries for the same show. Confirmation of the entry should be received from the entry clerk as for a regular show entry.

Catalog: The names and ages of all Junior Showmanship exhibitor and the age, breed, sex, neuter/spay status of the cat must be included in a section of the catalog specifically for Junior Showmanship. Participants are numbered consecutively starting with the #1, regardless of competitive category. Classes should be listed in the following order: Novice, Junior, and Senior.

Ribbons: Each participant will receive a participation ribbon or an award ribbon as applicable. Junior and Seniors will be awarded Best Junior, Second Best Junior, Best Senior and Second Best Senior. Juniors and Seniors not receiving a Best or Second Best will receive a participation ribbon. Novice participants will not be ranked and will receive a participation ribbon.

Scoring/Show Season: The show season shall run from May 1^st through April 30^th. The Best Novice, Best Junior, and Best Senior will be given a special award to be decided at the Annual Banquet held in September. The scoring will be based on the judges’ averaged numerical scores.

The Junior Showmanship competition is open to anyone eligible to participate in the program at any level.

Junior Showmanship is a three-part interaction between the judge and the young exhibitor. It reflects the exhibitor’s speaking ability, presentation skills, and knowledge of cats. It is a dialogue exchange. Neither the judge nor the exhibitor should have free range to talk at length on any topic.

The judges purpose is to bring out the finest qualities of the exhibitor through questioning and guided modeling. This is particularly applicable to the Novice level.

The exhibitor’s purpose is to demonstrate their abilities in handling and presenting a cat and fielding questions relating to the cat, its health and breeding, and the general rules and regulations of CFF. Exhibitors are expected to present themselves properly, speak clearly and with poise and, at all times, display sportsmanship and good conduct.

Although Junior Showmanship is a competitive sport, involving both winning and losing, the emphasis is on sportsmanship. Winners are expected to be gracious and supportive of those who place under them. Those who do not win are provided with two opportunities: one, the chance to learn how to handle defeat in an objective and gracious manner and: tow, the occasion to learn how to improve their performance. Sportsmanship is essential to this competition, and any evidence of unsportsmanlike behavior is grounds for immediate disqualification.

First names should NOT be used at any competition level and every effort should be made on the part of the judge and the exhibitor to not use first names. The attention is to be focused on the presentation of the cat, and there should be no familiarity between the exhibitor and the judge. Familiarity can easily be construed as partiality, and every effor must be made on the part of the judge to avoid any appearance of partiality. Junior Showmanship exhibitors must use restraint so as to not appear to be influencing the judge by use of their name or the cat’s name or titles.

Junior Showmanship exhibitors are important to the sport of pedigreed cats. Exhibitors who learn about good sportsmanship, cat care, breed standards, presentation and cat shows will be valuable to the sport in the future. Junior Showmanship classes are held so that young people can: experience winning and losing among those who are similar in age; learn the correct way to present and handle the breed they own or work with; practice presentation skills in competition; improve their knowledge about cats; be encouraged to show in regular show classes.

The cat must be appropriate for the abilities of the exhibitor. Experience exhibitors competing in the Junior and Senior classes should be able to handle all phases of the care and grooming of his/her cat. Novice classes may require some assistance with show preparation grooming. HANDLERS MUST BE ABLE TO CONTROL THEIR CATS AT ALL TIMES. Any handler who cannot control his/her cat will be excused by the judge.

Appearance and Conduct of the Junior Showmanship exhibitors should be clean, neat and well-groomed. They should wear clothing that is comfortable to present the cat in and appropriate for a cat show. Clothing should not distract, limit, or hinder the judge’s view of the presentation of the cat.

Cats should be groomed as they would be for the regular show ring. Cats should NOT be groomed in the ring to gain attention. Cats must NOT be declawed.

Junior Showmanship exhibitors should appear confident, prepared, business-like and attentive. They should be courteous to both the judge and the other participants. Exhibitors should be alert to the demands of their cats. They should always use firm but thoughtful hands in controlling and presenting their cats. Exhibitors should not be impatient or heavy-handed.

Junior Showmanship exhibitors will be judged on their ability to present their cats in the same way the cat would be properly presented by the judge in the regular ring. They will also be judged on their ability to make their individual cat look its best. During all parts of the completion, exhibitors should handle their cats in a quiet, smooth manner. The handler should strive to make the cat stand out as the most important part of a team effort. Participants should concentrate on the cat and not on the judge, but always be aware of wat is going on in the ring.

Ther are may ways that participants can advance their knowledge about Junior Showmanship outside the ring. Obtain a copy of the breed standard for your breed, where appropriate, and learn it thoroughly. Seek the advice of breeders to learn about presentation, grooming and general cat care. Read books on cat care, and on other breeds. Observe the regular rings, and ask questions on presentation when the judge is free. All of these will enhance the performance of the exhibitor in the Junior Showmanship competition, and help him/her to enjoy the experience of the sport of showing cats.

Why do you bathe your cat?

Why should you clip a cat’s nails?

How often do you feed your cat?

Does your cat stay indoors, and why?

How would you explain to someone who has never heard of this breed, where appropriate, what makes it

Different from other breeds?

Where does your breed come from?

Do all cats need vaccinations? Why do our cats get vaccinated?

Can you tell if your cat is pregnant? How?

Do you train your cat to be a show cat? How?

How does a cat become a Grand Champion or Master Grand Champion?

How does a cat become a Champion?

How does a cat get into a final?

Why do judges spray the table after each cat is on it?

What does a ring steward do?

Explain what sportsmanship means to you.

Demonstrate how the judge will examine the head of your cat.

Demonstrate how the judge will examine the body of your cat.

What is the judge looking for when looking at your cat’s head?

What is the judge looking for when looking at your cat’s body?

What is the difference between a pet quality and a show quality cat in your breed?

How do you prepare your cat for the show? (The exhibitor should answer by explaining how often the cat

is bathed, what else is done such as trimming claws, ear hair, etc., and any other preparations being

used.)

Explain how this breed is groomed before the ring if appropriate.

Why do you like your breed? What makes it interesting or unique to you?

Should cats be neutered/spayed and why?

What vaccinations does a cat need?

How many points are on this breed’s head (or coat, color, etc.) if appropriate?

What are the most important attributes of this breed?

Explain what a Regional award is. Explain what a National award is.

Explain what the Distinguished Merit title means or Grand Champion.

Why do people breed pedigreed cats?

Why do people show pedigreed cats?

Explain the role of a responsible breeder.

Some people don’t understand why we house multiple cats. How would you explain the need for this?

Should all cats Grand?

Should all cats be shown?

Who should make the decision that allows a cat to Grand?

What does involvement in an organization like CFF teach young people like yourself?