'BEST IN SHOW' NAMED AT CFA INTERNATIONAL CAT SHOW IN KANSAS CITY, NOVEMBER 1998

The CFA International Cat Show -- the Rolls Royce of cat shows, and North America's largest -- was held in Kansas City from Friday, November 20, through Sunday, November 22. The show attracted 1244 felines from around the world -- from as far away as Australia and Japan -- who competed for the chance to be named the Best in Show, Best in Breed or Best Kitten, Championship or Premiership Feline.

Along with the large entry there were also 64 vendors on hand, including the major show sponsors -- Iams and Cat Fancy Magazine. All 36 of CFA's recognized breeds had entries in the show, with the largest total entry coming from the Maine Coon (106), closely followed by the Abyssinian (105). The absentee rate was remarkably low, making the competition keen.

This year's judges had their work cut out for them, as always. The format for determining the overall Best in Show was the same as in the previous two years: each judge awarded his or her final, then the Best of Breed Championship, Kitten and Premiership cats were brought back for the Best of the Best presentation. The highest scoring Longhair and Shorthair in Championship, highest scoring Longhair and Shorthair Kitten and highest scoring Longhair and Shorthair cat in Premiership then competed for the title of Best in Show.

The judges for the Best in Show judging were chosen by a random drawing from all the judges who had judged the show. All of the six cats that made it to the final presentation were top examples of their breed. There were three Persians, two Shorthair Manx and a Chartreux. The first judge handled each entry, then the cat was passed to the second judge, and then on to the third judge. Their choice for Best in Show was Grand Champion PaJean's Bougalie, a Cream and White Bi-Color Persian Male.

BEST IN SHOW Grand Champion Pajean's Bougalie Cream and White Bi-Color Persian Male

"This gorgeous Persian is an excellent example of the breed," said Donald J. Williams, president of the Cat Fanciers' Association. "And while we had numerous beautiful cats -- from Maine Coons to Siamese -- this Persian is the closest representation of its breed standard of any of the felines at our international cat show this year."

The five additional finalists were:

	Best Longhair Kitten Teahs Frosty's Flurry Cream Point Himalayan Male
	Best Shorthair Kitten Tailmenot Dbl Cherry Pie of Nufurs Copper-eyed White Manx Female
	Best Shorthair Championship Grand Champion Janvier Nicole Blue Chartreux Female
	Best Longhair Premiership Grand Premier H-Brk Baileys IrishCrm of Merripaws Cream Point Himalayan Spay
	Best Shorthair Premiership Grand Premier Tirion's Fiona Caitlin of Nufurs Brown Mackerel Tabby and White Manx Spay

The CFA International Cat Show continues to grow in popularity with each passing year. Some people come to meet those breeders whom they have only heard or read about, or perhaps have met on the Internet. Many come to renew old friendships, and the spirit of camaraderie among exhibitors is apparent. If you have never attended one of these shows, you are missing something very special.

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