Scottish Cat Club, Larkhall, 11th February 2012:

This was the first show for our newest feline addition, Cleo. She was a little in awe of the situation and wasn't quite sure what to make of all the other cats. She behaved well for the judges though and received first place in her open class and was awarded best of breed fawn Abyssinian kitten. Of course our boy Alfie is an old hand at showing and was his usual laid back soppy self. Once again he was entered into the Imperial class and this time was awarded the Reserve Imperial in a class of three. We are really pleased with this result as it shows that another judge now considers him of Imperial standard.

West of Scotland Cat Club, East Kilbride, 3rd December 2011:

This was the club's silver jubilee show and as always was wonderfully well run, but with a bit of added 'sparkle' to the proceedings. It was also a special day today as one of Blaze's kittens from her recent litter, Abderus Pompadour, was on show, along with her dad Alfie. Pompadour was a little nervous at first so she shared her pen with her dad for a while, which seemed to giver her more confidence. When it came to the results, we had rather a good day. Pompadour won her open class,  was awarded best of breed and was well placed in her side classes. Not to be out done by his daughter, Alfie was a complete star and was awarded his first  Imperial certificate!! He also had some good results in his side classes. He still has some maturing to do, but he is getting there.

Alfie helping Pompadour settle at the show (left), and Pompadour looking scarily like her mum (see photo below)

Nor'East of Scotland Cat Club, Dundee, 14th May 2011:

The Nor'East of Scotland show is our closest to home so it was nice to be able to take two cats; Alfie and Blaze. It was a truly amazing day and both far exceeded our expectations. With 20 Abyssinians entered competition was fierce. Alfie was the bigger star of the two. He was awarded best of breed usual Abyssinian adult and the Grand Challenge certificate, his third which makes him a Grand Champion!! He  was awarded three firsts in some big side classes and to top off an amazing day he was nominated for best in show. Not to be outdone, Blaze was also awarded her best of breed and the Grand Challenge certificate, her first. She also did well in her side classes, receiving a first and two seconds, the seconds being in the classes where Alfie was awarded first! As always, they both thoroughly enjoyed their day, loving all the attention they received at this busy show.

Shorthaired Cat Club of Scotland, Glenrothes, 16th April 2011:

Alfie had rather a good day on show. He was awarded the Best of Breed in a strong class of other usual Abyssinians, was awarded the Grand Champion certificate, won the any colour Abyssinian class and gained a creditable second in another large side class. As always, he was a complete star and enjoyed himself throughout. What a fantastic day!

Abyssinian Cat Association, Plumley, 2nd April 2011:

Once again it was time to head south to another Abyssinian breed show, this time the ACA in Cheshire. It was Blaze's first time entered into a Grand Champion class and it is fair to say she was totally outclassed by some stunning cats. She thoroughly enjoyed her day out though and was impeccably behaved and loved all the attention and getting lots of cuddles.

As always there were lots of winners on the day, but when it came to best in show it was a clean sweep for the Glendavan crew with Glendavan cats being awarded best in show adult, neuter and kitten. Congratulations to Louise and David at Glendavan and Leanne, who is slave to Luke (adult winner) and Leon (neuter winner).
Scottish Cat Club, Larkhall, 12th February 2011:

Having achieved the title of Champion at the West of Scotland show in December, this was Alfie's first attempt at a Grand Champion certificate. Despite still being an adolescent, amazingly he was awarded the certificate!! Once again he enjoyed his day out, but not as much as I enjoyed showing off my soppy, friendly boy to anyone who was silly enough to show an interest!

It was a great day for all the Abys at the show, with too many awards to mention them all. A special mention goes to Pontaby Viviana (owned by the Pontellos) as she finally achieved the title of Grand Champion! (There is hope for Rosa achieving Champion yet!)
West of Scotland, East Kilbride, 11th December 2010:
Despite the bad weather, judges unable to attend and all the show paper work getting stuck in the post, as always this was a wonderful friendly show  with a real Christmas feel. It was also a very special day for Alfie, as he got his third and final qualifying Challenge Certificate. So he is now a Champion. As always, he was very laid back at the show and enjoyed his day out. Nothing seems to phase him.

Cumberland Cat Club, Brampton, 9th October 2010.
Just a few weeks after his last outing it was Alfie's second shot at gaining a Challenge Certificate and we weren't disappointed. Only one more CC to go and he'll be a champion. He had reasonable success in his side classes, in which there was some stiff competition. As always, Alfie enjoyed the day and was impeccably behaved.
Scotia Cat Fanciers, Milngavie, 19th September 2010.
After a rather fraught journey through a multitude of closed roads and many wrong turns, it was good to finally arrive at this lovely venue in the town where the West Highland way starts. It was the first outing for Alfie as an adult, and his first show in some time. At just under a year old, and still very immature, we were interested and slightly apprehensive to see what the judges would think of him. We needn't have worried as he was first in his usual male Abyssinian open class, gaining his first challenge certificate, and two firsts in side classes.  Best of all was that Alfie thoroughly enjoyed the day and was his usual laid back soppy self. It was a joy to be able to show him off for the day.

Edinburgh and East of Scotland Cat Club, 17th July 2010:
This was the first outing for Star in over a year, and her first time on the show bench since being neutered. Surprisingly she was very well behaved and quite relaxed with the whole affair. She came second in her open class and did quite well in her side classes. Blaze was also at the show today, though having gained her third qualifying challenge certificate at the last show she was only along for the ride. However, it was nice that she won yet another CC and also gained best of breed.
Abyssinian Cat Club, Stratford Upon Avon, 26th June 2010.
The ACC is one of the highlights of the show calendar for Aby owners and it is always a joy to attend, despite being so far away. This was the furthest Blaze has travelled and although she wasn't sure about staying in a hotel at first, she soon settled. She thoroughly enjoyed the show and all the attention, and I have it on good authority that she was reluctant to give up the cuddles and go back in her pen! As well as being impeccably behaved, she also did rather well in her classes. She was awarded her third Challenge Certificate, which now makes her a Champion, the title being achieved in just three straight shows. This is the very first titled Abderus cat.

Of course there were lots of winners on the day, but a special mention has to go to Glendavan Stangewaytotell who at the tender age of just 14 weeks and one day, won the accolade of Overall Best in Show Exhibit.

Nor'East of Scotland Cat Club, Dundee, 8th May 2010.

We were really looking forward to this show as it is our closest to home and held in a wonderful venue, the Caird Hall in the centre of Dundee. Both Alfie and Blaze were out on show for the day and both seemed to enjoy themselves, getting lots of attention from the visitors. The show was also visited by owners of Abderus kittens and it was wonderful to hear how well they are doing. Blaze had a very good day at the show and was awarded her second challenge certificate and best of breed sorrel Abyssinian adult. She also had some creditable success in her side classes. To top it all off she was also nominated for Best in Show! That's two nominations in three shows!

Although Alfie thoroughly enjoyed his day, he didn't fair so well in his classes. He got 2nd in his open class, the 1st quite deservedly going to another Glendavan kitten who, although not from the same litter as Alfie, was one of his play mates before coming to us.

As always there were plenty of Abyssinian winners on the day, but special congratulations have to go to Alfie's mum, Wavetail Ophelia, who was awarded her third CC giving her the title of Champion. Well done to her owners Louise and David Miskelly, and her breeder Margaret Pollet.

Unfortunately, despite taking my camera with me to the show, I completely forget to take any pictures. It was all just too exciting!
Shorthair Cat Club of Scotland, Glenrothes, 17th April 2010.

After a long break from the show scene it was a very exciting day for us today. It was Alfie's (Glendavan Socrates) very first show, and only Blaze's (Abderus Blazing Chaos) second show and her first outing as an adult.

As anticipated, Alfie was very relaxed throughout the day and enjoyed all the attention he received. He was awarded 1st and best of breed usual abyssinian kitten in his open class, but received varying success in his side classes doing either very well or not well at all!

Blaze proved to be the star of the day. At only 9 months old she only just qualified for the adult classes and was thus competing against some very mature cats. She received some good awards in her side classes but the highlight of the day was the award of a first and her first challenge certificate in the sorrel abyssinian open class. This is the first CC awarded to an Abderus bred cat! Only two more to go and she will be a Champion.

Left to right: Alfie catches up on some sleep, Alfie poses for the camera, and my one decent photo of Blaze.

 
Cumberland Cat Club, Brampton, 10th October 2009.

It's been a long time since we entered into competition at a show. This was the debut of Blaze (Abderus Blazing Chaos), a kitten that we are keeping from Rosa's third litter born in June.  At the tender age of fourteen and a half weeks old she was one of the youngest kitten there. Despite her age, she was very relaxed about the experience and did well too. She was awarded first and best of breed in her open class and two firsts in side classes. To top it all off she was also nominated for best in show! A successful debut for our wee one.

Flora's day didn't go so well. She got second in her open class but did well getting a first and a second in large side classes. Unfortunately she didn't enjoy her day so she will probably retire from showing now.