Because most shows are not split format, the maximum number of entries a show can can take is 250. A split format show can take up to 500 entries.
|
Breed
|
CFA
|
TICA
|
|---|---|---|
|
Exotic Shorthair
|
competes as longhair
|
competes as shorthair
|
|
Somali
|
competes as shorthair
|
competes as longhair
|
|
Manx longhair
|
competes as shorthair
|
called a Cymric - competes as
longhair
|
| Longhair Kittens |
1-50
|
| Shorthair Kittens |
51-100
|
| Longhair Championship |
101-200
|
| Shorthair Championship |
201-300
|
| Longhair Alters |
301-350
|
| Shorthair Alters |
351-400
|
| Longhair Household Pets (Kittens & Adults) |
401-450
|
| Shorthair Household Pets (Kittens & Adults) |
451-500
|
| Preliminary New Breed |
501-550
|
| Advanced New Breed |
551-600
|
| New Traits |
601-650
|
Note: In the rare instance where there are more cats than in the range of numbers, the next class starts with the first available number. For example, If there are 55 longhair kittens, then those kittens are numbers 1-55. The shorthair kittens will start with 56.
If a cat is entered in the show as a late entry after the catalog is printed, it may have a number ending with a letter so that it will fall in sequence with other cats of its breed and color. For example, if kittens 51 and 52 are brown classic tabby American Shorthairs and 53 is a brown spotted Bengal, a late entry brown classic tabby American Shorthair may be 52A.
- Breed
- Color
- Sex
- Age
In TICA, all cats are considered equal in the judging ring. The judge has no way of knowing if the cat he or she is judging is at its first show or is experienced cat with high titles.
Judging is a pyramid of eliminations within the class:
.
First all cats of the same breed and color are judged against the written standard for that breed. Up to 5 cats are selected as the best-5th representation of their breed - looking only at cats of that color. The judge awards these cats ribbons with colors indicating their placement.
Note: Judges judge the cats against the whole written standard, not just the color. For example, if there are two red Persians, the two red Persians are judged against how they fit the full written Persian standard. The "best of color" does not necessarily mean that that cat has the best red color. Instead, the best of color red Persian best fits the entire written Persian standard including head, structure, coat, etc.
Household pets, and household pet kittens are evaluated against a written standard as well. That standard states that the cat should be in good condition, well groomed, be of the right weight for his or her frame, have clean ears, and trimmed nails. The judge then uses his or her opinion as to the household pets he or she feels are the best.
Unlike cats in all other classes, if a household pet meets the basic requirements of the written standard, it will receive a best of color (in this case also known as a HHP merit) award - even if there is more than one HHP of the same color.
Next, the judge looks at all the cats, within the breed,
within the same division.
For example, all solid Persians would be judged in the solid division.
After judging all the white Persians, blue Persians, black Persians and
red Persians and selecting the top Persians of their respective colors,
the judge will now look at the the solid Persians and select the top-3
of the solid division. These are indicated by the judge with colored
ribbons.
Note: in TICA division is always part of a
BREED. In no case is a division the highest standalone honor for the
breed like CFA has with the Persians. Also note that pointed cats in
the Persian breed group in TICA compete as a breed of their own -
Himilayan. All other colored cats in the Persian breed group compete
for the best of the Persian breed. All shorthaired Persian breed group
cats regardless of color (including pointed) compete as Exotic
Shorthairs.
As an aside, TICA registers genotypically but shows phenotypically. For
example, a longhaired Exotic Shorthair would compete as a Persian or
Himilayan depending on whether or not the cat is pointed.
Next, the judge will look at his best cats of each division and select the top-3 representatives of the breed. In our example with the Persians, now the best solid Persians would be compared against the best Tabby, Silver, Tortie, and Particolor (any color and white) Persians in the show.
The judge is not required to name his best of breeds but he must write down his top-3 best of breed in his judge's book. If he does tell the audience how he placed the cats within breed, he may name them, without hanging anything on the cages, he may hang ribbons of the following, or similar, color, or he may have some other indication of best of breed
Household pets and household pet kittens are not awarded breed placements.
Cats exhibiting in preliminary/advanced new breed or new trait are awarded breed placements. The judge will also award one merit rosette to the overall best example exhibiting in each of these three classes.
The very end of this process is the finals. During the finals the judge names the cats he feels are the very best representations of their breeds in the class. The number of cats the judge may final depends on the number of cats in competition for the class:
| Best - 5th Best | 20 or less in competition |
| Best - 6th Best | 21 in competition |
| Best - 7th Best | 22 in competition |
| Best - 8th Best | 23 in competition |
| Best - 9th Best | 24 in competition |
| Best - 10th Best | 25 or more in competition |
Note: The only exception to this rule is Household Pets and Household Pet Kittens. A maximum of 10 places are awarded regardless of the number of cats or kittens in competition. So, if only 7 Household Pet Kittens are competing, the judge will award 7 placements. Also, with the exception of the one merit award per class, finals are not awarded in preliminary/advanced new breed or new traits classes.
Finals can be allbreed or specialty.
Allbreed finals are the cats the judge feels are the very best of both
the longhair and shorthair cats for that class. Specialty finals only
take the longhairs or shorthairs of the class into consideration. For
example, an allbreed kitten final may have both longhair and shorthair
kittens in it. A shorthair specialty kitten final would only have
shorthair kittens. This is the same as in CFA. But, being our judges do
not know titles we do not have awards like best champion/premier.
IMPORTANT: In
TICA the clerks do NOT announce the numbers of the finalists. We do
this to limit any potential influence from ring-to-ring. Instead the
clerk will announce the final and say "please check your numbers". You
will need to go to the ring to see if your number has been posted and
then bring your cat to the ring for the final if it has been.
Some shows present a best of the best or best in show presentation at the conclusion of the weekend's judging. This is not required by TICA, but some shows like to recognize the highest scoring cats over the course of the weekend. Some clubs may only recognize the best in each class, others recognize top-3 and there are a few that recognize top-5.
In addition, clubs may offer special cumulative awards for the highest scoring of a particular breed, color of cat, or other special awards. Check your catalog for information on special awards that may be presented.
Note: Best of the best and other special awards are not included in international or regional awards scoring, nor are they scored for titles. These awards are only used to honor the best cats within the show.
In the spirit of good sportsmanship, it is a good idea to stay, applaud, and cheer for the cats presented in the best of the best. These cats and their owners have a significant accomplishment to be proud of. Help them celebrate as you would like others to help you celebrate in similar circumstances.