The GCCF Supreme Show
25th November
2006
John S Harrison
I was delighted to be
invited to judge Norwegian Forest Cats at the GCCF Supreme Show, and thoroughly
enjoyed judging the exhibits. The male kitten class indicated the very high
standard which one always hopes for at this special show, and as each class was
brought up that high standard was confirmed - the Pre-Premier Male class was
especially pleasing containing a very promising gang of lads! My thanks to the
exhibitors for giving me such a very satisfying morning.
It is
difficult to believe that it is now 30 years since the late Dr Bill Groom's
brainchild came into being …. and goodness how the Cat Fancy has changed
in the intervening years. The show, now superbly managed by Julia May, has
become the showcase of the Cat Fancy in the UK. Congratulations to Julia and
all involved with staging this year's show.
My very grateful to Mark
Parkinson my Chief Steward and to Michelle Linton and Mark Lewis for being such
a good team. They collected and handled our exhibits with so much care and made
my task as easy as possible! I am especially grateful to Mark Lewis who was a
very late recruit when Kevin Sprot had to drop out due do his daughter's
illness.
Norwegian Forest Kitten Male
1 & BoB Spooner's
KVASIR THEODORE 67 16
Now this kitten really does have style! He
came onto the table and did everything possible to impress. If he realises his
early promise and retains his outgoing and stylish presence he really will go
places - he just won't be overlooked!! Certainly this lad is a kitten of
quality, having excellent head type and body type, and a really good coat. Ears
of excellent size, shape and set. Excellent balance to head with correct width
for length. Very good profile overall showing just a little unevenness in
places which will probably disappear as he grows. Chin just a little shallow.
Body of excellent length and type held on tall strong legs with very neat paws.
Excellent size, substance and muscle tone. Excellent stance showing his
qualities off to the world! Tail of excellent length carried superbly over his
back. Coat of very good length and texture with a good dense undercoat. A
beautiful even blue in colour. This delightful lad really does show great
promise, he was a real joy to judge and must be delight to own!
2
Wheeler's FENRISULVEN FINNIAN 67 31t
This lad was rather fine in
build and bone and lacked the size and substance I expect to find in an 8 month
old kitten. Ears of fair size and shape, set just a little wide. Very good
profile, chin rather shallow. Muzzle rather fine. Eyes rather large and very
full though I suspect that the shape was the result of the occasion. Body of
good basic type but lacking size and substance. Balanced tail. The coat which
was rather short except on the tail was of good texture. He was a very friendly
little chap shown in very good condition.
Norwegian Forest Kitten
Female
1 Johnstone's TUYET QUAVARA 67 20
I see from my
catalogue that I judged this lass at Cumberland, I was impressed with her then
and still am! I described her as having "a real look of the wild" and
this she certainly has. Very well balanced head. Ears of very good size and
shape with an excellent set. Her skull is a little flat and this spoils an
otherwise very good profile overall. Very good chinline and correct bite. Eyes
of good shape, size and expression. Body of very good size and substance, and
of good though rather compact type - I would prefer her to be just a little
more rangy. However she is a rather plump little Miss and this obviously
detracts from type. Coat lacking a little length at present but coming through
well with a mass of guard hairs showing down her legs. Her coat is the most
excellent texture and clearly would be waterproof. This kitten has many
qualities and has that indefinable NFC look. A delight to look at and a real
pleasure to judge.
2 Tipper's KVASIR VANADIS 67 16
Litter
sister to the BoB winner, but whereas her brother was supremely confident this
lovely little lady was just a little overawed by the occasion and showed
herself off so much better in the confines and security of her pen. A balanced
head of good length. Ears of very good size and set but held a little wide -
while I suspect that she may hold them better at home I had to take this into
account. Excellent profile, good chin and correct bite. Eyes of very good size
and shape. Body of excellent type, size and substance with excellent length.
Tall legs and long tail. Clear blue coat of excellent length and texture.
Excellent condition and temperament. This lovely kitten shows great promise and
when she gains a little confidence will take some beating; today she was
unlucky to meet the winner.
Norwegian Forest Grand Premier Male
1 UKGPC & BoB Coward's GR PR NORDLYS ATHANASIAS 67 31ts
I
first judged this large very stylish cat when he was a kitten, I rated him then
and I still do! He is a very stylish cat of excellent size and substance, and
general overall quality. He conforms so well to the SoP. Head of excellent
shape with correct length/width balance. Ears of excellent size and shape held
just a little low for perfection. Excellent profile, with good square chin.
Excellent eye shape and size. Excellent balanced body type with excellent
length, size and substance. Long, strong legs with very neat paws. Excellent
tall stance. Good length tail. Coat of excellent length and very good texture.
This large strong male neuter has a superb temperament and is in excellent
condition, he is undoubtedly an excellent specimen of the breed and it was a
pleasure to judge him again. After judging I found that this was his second
UKGPC, my congratulations to his owners, and of course to his breeder.
Norwegian Forest Grand Premier Female
1 & UKGPC Bishop's
GR PR GALADRIAL ARGENTA 67 31ets A very attractive older exhibit of overall
excellence, she was a little reserved out of the pen but was a complete idiot
in the pen …. she certainly knows how to win over a judge! Head of good
length, just a fraction wide for perfect balance. Ears of good size and shape
just a little wide in set. Skull just a little flat detracting from an
otherwise very good profile overall. Eyes good shape and size. Body of overall
excellent type, of very good size, length and substance. Tall strong legs, good
length tail and good tall stance. Coat of excellent length and texture, just a
little thin at present. Very attractive colouring. Shown in excellent
condition. I really did enjoy judging this lady, she has such a delightful
temperament.
Norwegian Forest Premier Male
1 & GPC
Balfour-Christie & Christie's PR NORSHELIAN AXEL SKAUKONGEN 67 31s
A very impressive and stylish exhibit of overall excellence. Head of
overall excellent type with very good length/width balance. Ears of very good
size and shape, held just a fraction wide for perfection. Excellent profile
with good firm chin. Excellent eye shape size and set. Body of excellent type,
length and substance. Tall strong legs, good length tail and excellent stance.
Coat of very good length and texture, just a little sparse at present. An
excellent stylish cat shown in excellent condition. Excellent temperament.
2 Sedgwick's CH & PR CATWO APOLLO 67 31t
A pleasing cat
of overall good type conforming well to the SoP. Balanced head of excellent
length and overall type. Large ears of very good shape and set. Excellent
profile. Excellent eye shape and size. Excellent body type showing length and
strength of build. Excellent tall legs with neat strong paws. Tail short for
balance. Coat of good length and texture overall but lacking fullness and
rather short on the legs. A good natured chap shown in good condition,
3 Peek's PR WESTRIKATT KESS 67 18
This was a pleasing
exhibit of overall very good size and type and there was very little to
separate this chap from the above. Ears of good size and shape set just a
little wide. Very good profile, excellent firm chin. Eyes of very good size and
shape. Large body of good type with length and substance, well boned legs and
beat paws. Tail rather short for balance. Coat of very good length and texture,
excellent furnishings. A very laid back chap shown in excellent condition.
Norwegian Forest Premier Female
1 & GPC Coward's PR
NORDLYS GISELLE 67 31ts
A very impressive youngster of overall
excellence. Head of excellent type. Large ears of excellent shape and set.
Excellent profile, good firm chin. Eyes of very good shape and size. Long body
of excellent type with strong bone and substance. Excellent tall legs with
rounded paws. Tail a little short for perfection. Full coat of excellent
length, just a little soft in texture, excellent colour. I was very surprised
at the maturity of this very attractive youngster, she can certainly hold her
own with the mature exhibits. A delightful natured cat shown in superb
condition. It was a pleasure to award her a Grand.
2 Dean's CH &
PR DRAKBORGENS EBBA YRHATTA 67 31t
A nine year old lady of overall
pleasing type and conforming well to the SoP. Head overall rather wide for
perfect balance. Ears of good size and shape set just a little wide. Excellent
profile. Very good chin line. Eyes of excellent size and shape. Body of very
good size, substance, and overall type. Very good legs, paws just a little
long. Tail rather short for balance. A very full coat with excellent density
and length, just a little soft in texture. Shown in excellent condition. A lady
of overall very good type with a superb temperament.
Norwegian
Forest Pre-Premier Male
This was a quality class of really first rate
exhibits who I would suggest will all have very good show careers in front of
them, at a very young age they are extremely well developed and it certainly
will prove interesting competition if and when they meet up again!
Congratulations to the breeders and owners of this gorgeous gang.
1
& PC Carter's TIGANLEA BARON IMANI 67 31at
This was a very
stylish lad of overall excellence; it was difficult to believe that he is only
15 months old. A nice one! Head of excellent type with correct length/width
balance. Large well set ears of excellent shape. Excellent profile and chin
line. Eyes of excellent size, shape and set. Body of superb type with excellent
length, size and substance. Long legs with strength of bone, very neat paws,
tail length in perfect balance. A fairly dense coat of excellent length and
very good texture with excellent furnishings. This superb lad had an excellent
texture and was shown in lovely condition, he is very stylish indeed and
pressed hard for the BoB which was a very close call. With age he will probably
take some beating!
2 Frost's ELSKENDEVENN MAX 67 18
Another very
stylish youngster of overall excellence ….. is he really only 10 months
old! It was a close contest for the first in this class and this lad and the
winner could easily change place. Head of overall excellence with superb
length/width balance. Ears of excellent size, shape and set. Excellent profile
with the slightest dip to the nose. Eyes of excellent size and shape. Body of
excellent type overall with wonderful length, size and substance - especially
good in view of his age! Excellent legs and balanced tail, excellent and very
confident stance. Coat of excellent length and density, just a little soft for
in texture perfection. A very impressive youngster with everything going for
him. He is very stylish and confident in his manner and can certainly compete
with the big boys! A big lad with a big temperament shown in superb condition
…. Such a pity that he and the winner had to compete in the same class.
3 Niven's NOREXOTIKATTS MIKIRIKI 67 20
Another youngster of
overall excellent type with the best coat of the group. Head of very good
overall type but I felt he was a little broad in the head for perfect balance.
Ears of very good size and shape set just a little wide. Very good profile and
chinline. Excellent eye shape and size. Body of overall excellent type with
very good a size and substance for 13 months of age. Excellent body length,
excellent tall legs of strength, tail just a little short for perfect balance.
Coat of excellent density, length and texture with superb furnishings. This lad
has the true waterproof coat which would shed even the heaviest rain … and
lets face it Norway has a lot of rain, even more than Wales! An attractive lad
with an excellent temperament shown in excellent condition … a third prize
really doesn't do justice to his qualities.
4 Kerr's GLEDEKATT
SOLVFAKS 67 31ts
This 15 month old lad was more than a bit overawed by
the occasion and his lack of confidence failed him. He was very tense and
certainly didn't show to best advantage. Head of overall excellent type and
correct balance. Ears large and of very good shape, seemingly set a little
wide, but I suspect that this was more likely to be nerves rather than actual
set. Excellent profile. Eyes of good size and shape. Body of good length and
substance, good strong legs and neat paws, tail a little short for balance.
Coat of excellent density, good length and texture. He was a lovely friendly
chap in excellent condition but he just hadn't the confidence to relax …..
even though we did become quite good mates …. he's just a bit of a baby! A
very nice chap though, shown in excellent condition. A Fourth place in this
company is certainly no disgrace, but it doesn't seem to reflect his qualities.
CNH Livingstone's TUYET VIN-CENT 67 31t
This laddie
certainly showed a lot of quality and I was very disappointed that I was unable
to handle him properly. He really didn't want to play today and I was brought
up to believe that discretion is the better part of valour! Whilst I could have
forcibly judged him it would have given neither of us any credit and could have
upset us both! I've seen this lad before looking very relaxed; I understand
that he had a very long journey to the show. I hope to see him again.
Norwegian Forest Pre-Premier Female
1 Coward's NORDLYS
GAZELLE 67 15
This was definitely a quality lady in black, wow and what
a black outdoor coat! Head of overall pleasing proportions. Ears very good size
and shape held just a little wide for perfection. Skull a little flatter than I
would ideally like just spoiling an otherwise very good profile. Very good chin
and correct bite. Eyes of very good size and shape. Body of correct type
overall. Excellent length body with size and substance. Excellent tall; strong
legs with good paws. Tail a little short for balance. Dense coat of good length
and excellent texture, this really was a weatherproof coat just made for
trudging alongside a fjiord! Ironically this was also probably the blackest
coats I've seen, pity there are no extra points for it! An excellent quality
lass of 18 months just a little overawed by the occasion but still managing a
little purr! If she'd got a little more confidence she'd certainly more than
hold her own in the very best of company.
2 Sedgwick's CATWO HONEY
PIE 67 31dt
A four year old exhibit of overall good type just a little
short and compact in the body for correct balance. Head well balanced overall.
Ears of good size shape and set. Very good profile. Eyes good size and shape.
Body of good size and substance but I'd like more length, she has a tendency
towards being cobby. Very good substance to legs but again lacking a little in
length. Tail short for balance. Coat of good density and length, but rather too
soft in texture. Attractive colour and excellent clean white bits! A very even
tempered lass who enjoyed her outing, excellent condition and presentation.