The best of furry felines at cat show
More than 100 cats of all shapes, sizes and breeds lined up in the Te Awamutu College Hall for a cat show on Saturday.
The Mid Island 25th Anniversary Show attracted felines and their owners from all around the North Island.
Cats and kittens sat in cages donned with ribbons, decorations and satin pillows, waiting their turn to be judged on condition, beauty and show presence.
There were four categories — longhaired pedigree, shorthaired pedigree, domestic and companion — with one overall winner.
The overall supreme award went to 11-month-old Ragdoll called Kiwimagic Godess of Love, or Charmayne for short.
Her owner Margaret Downes, from Auckland, has been breeding Ragdolls as a hobby for the last 24 years.
“It was a very unexpected win,” Margaret says. “It was just so exciting and we are thrilled.”
“Charmayne is a much-loved cat who has a big fan base and is simply everything a Ragdoll should be — relaxed, cuddly and an ambassador for the breed.”
Margaret said Ragdolls are judged for their size and nature.
“Judges were looking for a big, solid-boned cat.
“In Charmayne’s case she’s just got a divine nature and is very large for a girl. She has beautiful dark blue eyes, too.
“She has a lovely long body and everything about her is very special.”
The award was nothing new for Charmayne, who has previously won six Best in Show awards in her short lifetime.
The top domestic cat was Winston, owned by Di le Bas from Cambridge. The top companion cat was Gryf, owned by Anita Chetham from Hamilton.
The winner of the short-haired pedigree category was a blue Burmilla, owned by Taupo¯ couple John and Cheryl Stringfellow. The top short-haired neuter spay cat was Watson, owned by Avril McBeth of Rotokauri.