|  |     Since you haven't responded, I will try to give you some info for 
    entering a purebred cat in a CFA show.
    
    You will be given an official CFA entry form and a summary sheet to
    fill out.  The entry form asks for things like name of cat,
    registration number, color class number, breed, color, eye color, sire
    and dam, breeder's name, owner's name and address.  All this
    information must be filled out on the entry form exactly as it is
    printed on the registration certificate for the cat.  The next line 
    asks for the name of the club/show, the location of the show (city,
    state), and the date of the show.
    
    At the bottom, it asks you what region you are in (regions are listed
    by number and a brief description but to be really sure you can call
    CFA and ask), and what class the cat will be entered in.
    
    If the cat you wish to show is a kitten (4-8 months), it will be
    entered in the non-championship catagory by checking the box next to
    the word "kitten".  If the cat was 8 months or older, and not neutered, 
    and also had never been entered in championship competition before (for
    instance, it's first show as an adult), then you would check the box
    next to the words "open" in the championship catagory.  Other boxes in
    that catagory are "champion" for cats with that title, and "grand
    champion" for cats with that title.  If the cat you wish to enter is
    older than 8 months but is neutered, you would follow the same
    procedures with the exception of checking the appropriate box under the
    Premiership catagory.
    
    When you enter a show, you are automatically entered in every ring,
    unless you specify to be XXX'd out of a ring.  XXXing out only applies
    to a situation where one of the officiating judges was the breeder of
    your cat.  In that case, that judge may not judge your cat.  
    
    When you arrive at the show, your cat will be given a number that will 
    identify it throughout the day.  When your cat's number is called to a
    judging ring, you take your cat there.  If the judge likes your cat, he
    may be called back for finals.
    
    Finals are the presentation of the best 10 cats in the show (in that
    judges opinion).  Some judges only judge longhair cats, and some judges
    only do shorthair cats.  Others can judge  both longhair and shorthair
    cats, but not against each other.  This judges are called specialty
    judges, and when they do their finals, they will be either all
    longhairs or all shorthairs, depending on which class that judge has
    just completed judging.  Other judges can do both longhairs and
    shorthairs, and then judge those two classes against each other.  These
    judges are called Allbreed judges and their finals can contain both
    longhair and shorthair cats.
    
    Cats gain points in many different ways.  Kittens and premiers gain
    points during finals only, as no breed awards are given within the
    breed.  In championship competition, cats can get points by being Best
    or Second Best of Breed, or Best Champion of Breed, as well as by
    making finals.  In CFA, points granted are based on the number of cats
    competing.
    
    Jo
 | 
|  |     The cost of entering a show averages around $45 for two days. 
    Sometimes it is less, sometimes more.  I think it all depends on where
    the show is being held.  The more the cost of the hall, the higher the
    entry fee.
    
    The average number of cats is usually 225, but some shows will hold 300
    to 450.  Again, the size of the hall has something to do with it. 
    Also, the higher the number of cats, the slower judging seems to be,
    and many exhibitors don't like being in the show hall past 5:00 or 6:00
    p.m.
    
    The higher count shows will attract those folks whose cats are
    competing for regional and national awards, since the points earned are
    based on the number of cats entered in each individual class.
    
 | 
|  | Roberta,
As for the number of cats, it not only depends on the size of the show hall,
it also depends on the typeof show it is.  CFF's maximum number of cats
for a one day show is 225.  Most of the weekend shows that you go to are
back to back shows.  Which means that the show on sunday is completely
separate from the show on saturday.  Therefore, the maximum number of
entries for the weekend is 225.
There are also two day shows.  Ones where the cat is judged in a certain
amount of rings on one day, and the other rings on the second day.  The
maximum amount of entries for these shows is 450.
As for the base noter, I think that Jo really described everything.  
CFF is pretty much the same as what you described, Jo.  Except that in
the unaltered class, we just call it the championship class.   And the
neutered/spayed cats are called Alters.  That's about it.
Holly
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|  |     With most clubs, the cost for entry is usually figured as X times 
    the number of judging rings.  In our club, we figure out our break 
    even point for the show, and then factor in a certain amount of 
    profit (which we donate in the community) to get our ring cost.  I 
    think that this year we figured $6.00 per ring, or $36 for the first 
    entry.  We hold a six ring, two day show, so our entry limit is 450.  
    We like to encourage a higher count since this is how our show makes 
    money, so we often give a discount for those who enter early, and 
    another discount to those who enter multiple cats.  For example, 
    second cat entered by same owner might be $30, third and additional 
    cat by same owner $20, etc.  
    
    CFA only allows a judge to handle a maximum of 225 cats in one day. 
    It is the format of the show that determines how many cats can be
    allowed in the show.  Overall, statistics show that in CFA the
    preferred format is 6 ring, two day shows.  In my area, 8 ring back to
    back shows are the most popular for some reason.  I prefer six rings
    since you can get finished and go home earlier!! :')
    
    CFA sets the maximum number of cats allowed, but the judges at the show
    usually have some effect on how many cats will actually be entered. 
    Some judges are more popular than others. :')
    
    Jo
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|  | Thanks, Jo, for the detailed reply (and Holly and Roberta for the additions).
You did a good job answering my questions, which were mostly to understand
the showing process as a whole, and therefore be less in the dark when I go
to shows (as a spectator) and read about everyone's show experiences in here.
Jill
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