 |
| John Smithson |
The weekend started with being collected at the airport by Colleen and Rob White and it was just lovely to spend a little time with them after not having seen them for so many years. We stopped off on the way into town at 'The Elms' where we had a scrumptious lunch and a natter.Thank you Colleen and Rob! Then it was off to the show hall to check in on progress and the committee and helpers were well into it and the Barber Hall was very well set up with plenty of room for exhibitors and public to move about with the lovely wide aisles. Alot of wonderful stalls and great ring set-ups to move to between sections. Then it was off to the Motel, which was delightfully appointed and run by a very helpful and friendly young couple. The accommodation was just exemplary. Here I caught up with Anne Harvey from Queensland, Donna Fuller from the United States, and Janice Davey from New Plymouth. That evening, we were collected by taxi and taken to 'Rumour Has It" a local cafe/restaurant, where we were treated to a beautifully prepared meal, and good company from Committee members and some exhibitors. Here we were given our Judges gifts in advance and a good night was had all round.
In the morning, we were once again collected and taken to the Show and taken to our area, where a very able Show Secretary gave us our Judges Books and where we finally got together with Lyall Payne when he arrived by car. An intro to the exhibitors and our helpers and we were set off in the direction of the cats, which all of us were keen to see... My very able Book Steward and general secretary was Christine Vincent, who did an excellent job of keeping me on pace and who wrangled my wonderful handlers, Rex Hansen and Marcus Dingley. Both were excellent handlers and the cats were very comfortable being transported by them to the Judges table. My sincere thanks to all three for giving me their time and attention all day....
_______________________
Now to the cats! The quality in all sections was excellent..and the presentation mostly high. Best in Show LH Cat was "Gd Db.Gr.Ch.Ispisakat White Pearl", a copper-eyed white Persian, presented to perfection, great head type and sweet expression, short bodied, with tail to compliment. This female I notice was Best LH Cat in 3 of the 4 Rings. My R/Up LH Cat was "Sil.Db.Gr.Ch.Flurmonz Beaunkka", a Red Silver Tabby Maine Coon female, with a great long rectangular body, good ear set, squared muzzle, with good profile from side and firm chin padding. She was well boned and beautifully presented.She too took a Best, a Reserve and a Third in three of the four rings. My third Best LH Cat was "Sil.Ko.Db.Gr.Ch.Flurmonz He Gurion", a massive Cream Smoke and White Maine Coon male, of substantial form and maturity, a lovely laid back nature, boning t die for, and a magnificent head with exceptional squareness of muzzle and hugely tufted ears. I have had the pleasure of judging this lovely male before.My fourth Best LH Cat was "Ch.Paddington Happy Hour", a Brown Tabby Bi-Colour Exotic male, with a particular wide head and sweet expression so desirable in a cat of Persian type.
In the Longhair Kittens, I had an exceptional line-up to choose from and in fact had to leave out kittens some exceptional kittens from my top ten due to the high number of quality exhibits. On the day, my two best were a breathe away from each other, but Best in Show went to a stunning wee Brown Classic Tabby Exotic female, barely 4 months of age, named "Paddington May You Always". Despite her youth, she was very typey, but more importantly very well BALANCED, with a short cobby body and low on the leg, with a great plush coat and clear pattern. Her competitor which took out R/Up Best in Show was a Tortie Tabby Harlequin Exotic female named "Chainoponds Jus One Wish(Imp.Aust)" This was another very young exhibit, with stunning head type and exceptional eye shape and set. Her colour and pattern was extremely attractive and she only lost to the BIS winner on length of leg.In all other respects, she was superb. My third best LH Kitten was a Brown Tabby and White Maine Coon male, "Ykatocoonz Arch", a well developed youngster of good substance, length, balance and great muzzle. Fourth Best was a superlative Blue Tabby Van Persian Female, "Dixykatz Kinder Schoko-Bon" who was a lovely exhibit, shortest of broad snub noses, great width of skull and who also took Best Groomed.
In the LH Desexed Cats, my Best in Show went to "Gr.Pr.Dixykatz Blaubeeren Muffin", a Blue Harlequin Persian female of exquisite type and presented to perfection. A smaller female, but perfectly balanced exhibit. Runner Up Best Cat went to "Flurmonz Cautcha Looking" a massive Maine Coon male who really had it all together, long rectangular body of superb boning, great head and muzzle, tufted ears, good profile and presented beautifully. Third Best was "Whitestar Hearts Rocky" a heavy boned Red Tabby Persian male, with excellent top of head, perfect profile, wide short snub nose, ears tucked low and presented immaculately... he also showed himself off well and enjoyed being shown. 4th was an exceptional exhibit also, a Chocolate Tortie Tabby Persian female, also of exceptional quality, named "Rainbow Golden Tiger", whom I very happily presented with a Breeders Award, as it is so rare to see this colour to this standard or quality.
In the LH Desexed Kittens, my Best In Show was a clear winner, a superbly presented Black Smoke Bi-Colour Norwegian Forest Cat, "Jaymlynkatz Rigoletto", with wonderful boning, absolutely perfectly straight profile and extremely well presented in top show condition.
Now to the Shorthairs. My Best Shorthair Cat went to a superlative young Sealpoint Siamese female, " Ch.Kurochan Queen Khaleesi", who although not a large girl, was very svelte and truly tubular in body, had perfect balance of head to body to tail, had extremely good contrast from points to body colour, a wonderful classic head, with good profile and ear set, with firm chin. Eye colour was outstanding and presentation was perfect, with coat very short and close-lying. I had no hesitation in awarding her first place. Runner up Best Cat was nonetheless a close contender, and this went to "Gr.Ch.Tellassee Blu Bronson", a truly lovely British Blue male, who was grandly built, with lovely wide head, exceptional coat and light silver blue colouration. He handled exceptionally well, and looked like a winner on the day. I cannot be sure, but I think I have judged this cat before and possibly placed him Best in Show on that occasion and if that is the case, he continues to improve with time. My third best cat was a very relaxed Cream Sphynx male, "Sil.Db.Gr.Ch.Skintastic Naked Dream (Imp.Aust), who was presented to perfection, absolutely clean to the feel and touch, with a fantastic tail to balance out his muscular body and frame, good bulk but still stylish with great legs and good feet with the required knuckles! Good head, great wrinkling and when even the smallest pressure applied anywhere the wrinkling appeared at will. Excellent well defined cheekbones, and good eye shape and ear set. Fourth Best was a gorgeous Chocolate Burmese famale "Ch.Sashima Madagascar", wonderfully built, great heft but a stylish girl with a short blunt wedge, excellent coat, ear set and eye shape.
My Best Shorthair Kitten was a Lilac Female Burmese, "Sashima Melaka", who was perfectly balanced, had great coat, colour, eye colour, was presented immaculately, and had show presence. Her type was exceptional, short blunt wedge, perfect eye shape etc...a clear winner. I note that in four rings she was Best, R/Up twice and and third.My Runner up was a superb Black Shaded Silver Burmilla male kitten who really impressed me. This was "Cherjon Silver Phantom".Seldom have I seen such a well balanced Burmilla, gorgeous head and body type, perfect colour, lovely eyes with full mascara, brick red nose leather, good boning, good depth to chest and the sweetest, playful temperament. He is a credit to his breeder/owner. Third Best went to another little nudie, a Sphynx named "Amanude Miss Nudelicious" a wee girl with personality, but with plenty of weight for her size and a stylish wee thing she is too. Good type, and beautifully presented and loads of purrsonality! Fourth Best was a substantial and lovely Lilacpoint Siamese female, "Tellassee Maiden Strawberry Fair", who had beautiful colour, great type, and was a good strong and yet stylish girl. Lovely short close-lying coat and excellent ear set and profile.
In the Desexed SH Cats, Best In Show went to "Pr & Ch. Petals Gentian True Blue" a lovely British Blue male, who was well built, wide in head, sweet in expression, with the desired puffy cheeks and great presence. Runner-up Best went to a superlative exhibit of extreme type, a Caramel Oriental named "Br.Db.Gr.Pr.Robandi Rumour Has It" (Possibly named after the cafe?) This exhibit dripped in type, had superb ear set and eye shape, long tubular body and tail, long legs, and fantastic green eyes! A pleasure to handle. Third Best went to another lovely oriental, this time a Caramel Lynx Bi-Colour! "Pr Odakim Sparkle Dragon", an exhibit of good type, lovely coat, good ear set and profile, and a perfectly marked bi-colour. Fourth Best was a truly lovely Redpoint Siamese, once again with exceptional type, eye slant and eye colour! His name was "Pr. Brenner Good as Gold". I note with interest that his sire was "Sunti Mi Jubilee".
In the desexed SH Kittens, my Best in Show went to "Sashimi Coco", a nicely balanced Seal Burmese.
_______________________
The overall quality at this show was outstanding and a credit to the owners/exhibitors. There are so many people to thank. the Show Secretary who sent the best Judges Itinerary I have ever seen, not to mention the impeccable list of Breeds/Colours. Thank you Kerry. Show Manager, Paul Holden, Club President, Denise Grace, Club Secretary Colleen White, and if that is not enough, we were after the show was pulled down, taken once again to dinner, this time to Cafe Cuba, where we enjoyed some time with Genevieve Rogerson and her partner, and Emma Kimberley. We all tested the 'Silk-cake' which is the cafe's specialty and were rewarded with the great taste! A fun night out!
The next morning, I said my goodbyes to Donna Fuller and Anne Harvey and was whisked away to the airport by Colleen and Rob White.
The hospitality afforded by this club has been memorable and the organisation PERFECT. One of the best shows I have ever had the pleasure to officiate at, great atmosphere, great cats, great company. SINCERE thanks to the whole committee for a fabulous weekend!
_______________________
No comments:
Post a Comment