Entering kittens in shows a "exhibition only" to acclimate?

Hello!
Sorry I am asking so many show questions but I am interested in showing and trying to get as much info as possible before I enter any.

I was reading about entering cats in shows as "exhibition only" and I saw that they allow kittens 3 months or older whereas for showing they must be 4 months. I realized that the mixed breed kitten I was thinking of entering will be too young to enter the TICA show I wanted to this month. I was thinking that maybe it might be useful to enter him anyway as 'exhibition only' as a way to get him used to the sights/sounds/experience of being in a show without having him actually shown? I was curious if anyone has done this or thinks this would be helpful to get him comfortable with the show environment? Or can you even enter a household pet as exhibition only?

I also had a related question. I was reading that cats must be kept in the exhibition area until the show is over unless permission is given to leave, but I am worried that the kitten may become too overwhelmed, may become unhappy with the show environment (and not want to show the next time), or may start crying too much if he is required to be caged for so many hours for his first time... I am curious if it is difficult to get permission to take a cat home early before the show is over?

Not difficult at all to ger permission to leave early. Just make sure the show manager ok's it.

I know in Europe/Australia they do show kittens as young as 3 months old, but personally I think the youngest should be 4 months old.

I never had a problem "conditioning" my 4 month old kittens in shows. They just got taken to Petsmart and were handled by friends/family, etc. I don't really see a reason to take the kitten in at 3 months to test them. Four months old and showing will be fine.

If you are concerned about if the kitten can handle things, then enter the first show for one day only - in TICA and ACFA you have the luxery of showing one or two days.

Most kittens are fine with 4 rings in one day - more then that will tire them out.