If you want to show your cat you will need to learn how the judges award their prizes, and what each of those prizes means.
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The Three-Ring Circus
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To the uninitiated a cat show can seem like a three-ring circus --- and in many ways it is. Cat shows run three different rings simultaneously, with each ring focusing on a particular breed. In addition many shows also provide special classes for household pets, allowing cat lovers to show off their favorite non-pedigreed felines.
After the judge has evaluated each class, he awards ribbons, starting with the first place blue ribbon. Second place is designated with a red ribbon, while yellow means a third place prize.
Winner's Ribbons
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Breeders and other cat show enthusiasts often talk about the winner's ribbons, and these special ribbons are important to those trying to get champion status for their cats. In order to achieve champion status, a cat will need to win six winner's ribbons.
Winner's ribbons are easy to spot, even from across the ring. The winner's ribbon is red, white and blue, with the red stripe at the left and the blue stripe at the right. These colorful ribbons are hung on the cage of the winning cat after the judge has finished evaluating all the cats in the class.
Black and White Ribbons
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Many first time visitors to a cat show are confused by the number of black ribbons and white ribbons they see hanging on the cages after the class has been evaluated. To those used to colorful ribbons and awards these simple black and white ribbons can seem a bit odd, but they serve an important purpose in the world of cat shows.
The black ribbon represents the "best of color class" award, while the white ribbon designates second best. Every male and female cat in a designated color class competes for these awards, and winning one is quite an accomplishment.
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