I've been thinking that maybe, possibly, perhaps...I am considering learning more about showing and maybe, possibly, perhaps...would be considering, in the not-too-distant future, showing one of my kitties as a HHP. I'm thinking about a year from now, so it's nothing that would be happening soon. But, I have some questions and would appreciate any information that those of you familiar with shows and even showing a HHP could potentially provide.
I really don't know what questions to even ask, but I'll take a stab at it...
I'm sure showing costs money. And, I'm certain that the cost of showing a cat is dependant upon where in the US (or, in some cases, other parts of the world) one lives. I'm located in Cleveland, Ohio and would be looking to show in the midwest. Of course, when the time is right, I would research the associations and types of shows in my area, but I do know that I wouldn't be able to travel extensively due to the cost (and since, for health reasons, I cannot drive). I'm thinking of this more as both a learning and social opportunity. And, as such, I would have to budget this activity. So, any information you can provide would be beneficial -- even though this is something I'm not looking at doing for another year at least.
I also have a question about showing in and of itself. How does one decide which cat to show? Is there something special you look for? Can you show an adult or is it best to start off with a kitten? The cat I'm considering showing as a HHP is my DLH, Finnegan. He is a red and white tabby with a beautiful coat and magnificent (in my opinion) foofy tail. But, what really makes me think he'd be the cat to show is his personality. He is a fearless cat. He has a gregarious personality and has no trouble being handled by individuals he has never met before. He is playful and very laid-back and easy-going. But, as of the end of September, he will be a year old. His personality has remained much the same throughout the time he has been a kitten and I don't see any sign of it changing drastically, but is there a benefit to starting young? Is showing an adult a disaster or is there hope for an adult with a good personality?
On that same vein, is there something specific judges look for when judging the HHP class? Since these cats do not need to be purebred, do they have typical preferences about sex, size, color, and markings? I know that the best way to have most of these questions answered is to attend at least one show, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask these questions here as well. Before I would even consider making the decision to show, I would be attending shows to get an idea of what to expect. But, I guess what I'm interested in is figuring out whether showing a HHP is even a possibility for me. I think my Finn is gorgeous, but not everyone may agree. And, since I don't know what to look for, I'm at a disadvantage. Of course, it would be more about fun than anything else, but I still would want to go into the situation knowing that I was on the right track. Do you know what I mean?
Finally, I know that there are differences between the cat associations. I've already learned a lot from reading this board about ACFA, CFA, and TICA. I will have to look at what is available in my area, but is there one association that is better to show a HHP in? And, along those lines, do they all even offer a HHP category? Again, I know that the best thing I can do is to find shows available locally and attend. But, you have to know, I was never interested in showing before. Only recently have I started having an interest in potentially owning a purebred cat in the future that I could show. But, before I'd even consider going that route, I'd want to first experience showing with a HHP. I'm not in a rush to move forward, but it is something I am interested in and would like to begin researching.
Hopefully, you don't think I'm a big pain for asking all of these (potentially obvious) questions. I am just trying to think before I act...
One last thing. Since I mentioned Finnegan, here are a couple of photos of him. He's between 6-9 months in these pics:
I really don't know what questions to even ask, but I'll take a stab at it...
I'm sure showing costs money. And, I'm certain that the cost of showing a cat is dependant upon where in the US (or, in some cases, other parts of the world) one lives. I'm located in Cleveland, Ohio and would be looking to show in the midwest. Of course, when the time is right, I would research the associations and types of shows in my area, but I do know that I wouldn't be able to travel extensively due to the cost (and since, for health reasons, I cannot drive). I'm thinking of this more as both a learning and social opportunity. And, as such, I would have to budget this activity. So, any information you can provide would be beneficial -- even though this is something I'm not looking at doing for another year at least.
I also have a question about showing in and of itself. How does one decide which cat to show? Is there something special you look for? Can you show an adult or is it best to start off with a kitten? The cat I'm considering showing as a HHP is my DLH, Finnegan. He is a red and white tabby with a beautiful coat and magnificent (in my opinion) foofy tail. But, what really makes me think he'd be the cat to show is his personality. He is a fearless cat. He has a gregarious personality and has no trouble being handled by individuals he has never met before. He is playful and very laid-back and easy-going. But, as of the end of September, he will be a year old. His personality has remained much the same throughout the time he has been a kitten and I don't see any sign of it changing drastically, but is there a benefit to starting young? Is showing an adult a disaster or is there hope for an adult with a good personality?
On that same vein, is there something specific judges look for when judging the HHP class? Since these cats do not need to be purebred, do they have typical preferences about sex, size, color, and markings? I know that the best way to have most of these questions answered is to attend at least one show, but I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask these questions here as well. Before I would even consider making the decision to show, I would be attending shows to get an idea of what to expect. But, I guess what I'm interested in is figuring out whether showing a HHP is even a possibility for me. I think my Finn is gorgeous, but not everyone may agree. And, since I don't know what to look for, I'm at a disadvantage. Of course, it would be more about fun than anything else, but I still would want to go into the situation knowing that I was on the right track. Do you know what I mean?
Finally, I know that there are differences between the cat associations. I've already learned a lot from reading this board about ACFA, CFA, and TICA. I will have to look at what is available in my area, but is there one association that is better to show a HHP in? And, along those lines, do they all even offer a HHP category? Again, I know that the best thing I can do is to find shows available locally and attend. But, you have to know, I was never interested in showing before. Only recently have I started having an interest in potentially owning a purebred cat in the future that I could show. But, before I'd even consider going that route, I'd want to first experience showing with a HHP. I'm not in a rush to move forward, but it is something I am interested in and would like to begin researching.
Hopefully, you don't think I'm a big pain for asking all of these (potentially obvious) questions. I am just trying to think before I act...
One last thing. Since I mentioned Finnegan, here are a couple of photos of him. He's between 6-9 months in these pics:
I just love sharing pics of my little guy 
.
.Thank you all in advance for any information you can provide!
