Last weekend, I visited the Sandy Claws Cat Fanciers show in Kissimmee, FL. Visiting a cat show is always a lot of fun, but it seems like I always end up there at an awkward time when all the exhibitors are really busy with something. Eating lunch, getting a group photo, or something else that makes it hard to chat with them. I was fortunate to be there at a good time when many of them were happy to chat with me between taking their cats to be judged, which made it a lot of fun.
I’m not sure if it’s just our region of the country or what, but every cat show I’ve been to here has had loads of Bengals. This one was no exception. One exhibitor had a litter of kittens who had just turned old enough for adoption and were at their first show. They were a little wary about all of the chaos going on around the floor, but were curious to meet me.
Every judging ring I saw except the ones exclusively for long-haired cats had at least one Bengal in it. They really are beautiful cats! It was fun to talk to the breeders about how much personality energy these guys have. I was worn out just thinking about keeping up with one of them.
The other kind of cat that was in all of the show rings and all over the show hall were Maine Coons. It turned out this Maine Coon takeover was because this show included an event called the Maine CoonVention, which included seminars, special show events just for Maine Coons, and awards for the breed.
I am always amazed by the ears on Maine Coons, especially the juveniles who haven’t quite grown into them yet. This guy’s ears seem to go on forever!
Everyone was talking about this young cat because she is a polydactyl Maine Coon. You can see how big her paws are where her thumb is gripping the scratching post.
As a result of the focus on the breed, the pet me cat at the show was a Maine Coon. His name was Potter, and he was enormous! He was also sleeping on the job. He had received a big lifetime achievement award that was displayed nearby, so he deserved a nice nap after years of shows naming him 10th and 8th best international alter and 13th best regional alter. His human said that he was done being judged and was just here for the CoonVention.
Of course, Bengals and Maine Coons weren’t the only cats there. I spotted a little odd-eyed white Rex peeking out of an enclosure as I walked past.
This Persian had just arrived the day before from South America. He is going to live with a woman here in the US who had started to show him that very day!
One of the other cats whose humans I visited with at length is this calico oriental shorthair. Fancy was the number 2 oriental shorthair in the world in 2016. I didn’t know that oriental shorthairs came in calico. She’s really beautiful!
The cat show was a lot of fun to visit. If you go, make sure you talk to the people who are there to exhibit their cats. They like talking about their cats as much as you like talking about yours, and you can learn a lot!
The shows in your area must be by cat clubs that are in the TICA organization, because until very, very recently, only TICA allowed Bengals to compete. CFA has only allowed bengals for a short time. I’ve shown in both registries… and trust me, exhibitors are ALWAYS busy! That’s why they are so glad to have me as a Pet Me Cat at shows – my human and I are there to answer questions and hang out with spectators. I wish there were more Pet Me Cats at shows.
Mom used to do the show in Kissimmee when she was a cat show vendor. We love all the kitties but that little odd-eyed white Rex is sooo adorable.
The Florida Furkids
Mom has met a couple of orientals and they come in lots of colors. They also have opinions about EVERYTHING. MOL
Now that is one hairy Potter! Anyway, as beautiful as the Bengal and Maine Coon breeds both are, I would be sad to see a few breeds dominating a show. One of the things that makes the world, pets included so beautiful is the breadth of diversity in it. Nevertheless, this show sounded like a lot of fun, and I hope you had a good time there.
I have been to a few cat shows and yes they are so much fun!!
Oh goodness! That little Rex is so cute!
Our Mom likes going to cat shows; her dad showed Persians for a time when she was young, but like you, she always seems to show up when nearly everyone is too busy to even talk for a few seconds, unless you are interested in buying one. Oh, how she would love to hold a Bengal or pet a Maine Coon kitten. Nope. Neither have happened yet and she doubts that will change. Probably just as well, We already have a full house. We don’t need no fancy show cats coming home with her!
As soon as you mentioned being overrun with Bengals I knew it was a TICA show. CFA only accepted them into championship this year. There’s only one or two at a show around here. Now Maine Coons is a very different story. (I do live in Maine after all.) I love showing – only household pets for now but I’m saving up and coveting all the Norwegian Forest Cats.
Those are some good looking cats. Cat shows are such fun since you can see so many different breeds. 🙂
The only cat show I’ve been to was the one in conjunction with the CWA conference. It made me sad to see all the cats man-handled – but none of them seemed to mind – so I told myself there was no reason to be sad – but I just couldn’t help it. I loved seeing so many breeds in person. Because of Summer, I was looking for Somalis and Abbys but there weren’t any! It’s interesting how regional some breeds are.
That sure looks like a lot of fun to see all those different breeds. Great pictures of them all. Have a super week end.
That looks like a pawsome show! I always look forward to our annual cat show.
Them are some pretty cats. TW used to always want a Bengal. Now she’s got a lion!
Those are all lovely looking cats, and it sounds like you had a lot of fun there.
You’re lucky you were able to take photos at the cat show. The last one I went to, they didn’t want the public taking photos of any judging areas. I think it would be fun to have a curly-coated kitty.
H how do I apply to get my cat in a cat show contest Dr Sabrina Lee Guyer