IT’S not just cats that keep coming back. Judith Russack has been part of the Royal Adelaide Show cat section since it began in the early 1960s.
She is now the show convenor as well as an exhibitor.
“The cat section has improved over the years and visitors can now watch the judging,” she said.
“They can also chat to the cat owners and breeders and some will allow the public to view their cats close up.”
This year a veteran judge, Nancy Parkinson, from Austin, Texas, will cast her experienced eye over the entrants.
Different breeds will be judged over the 10 days. Never heard of the Ocicat, Japanese bobtail, Norwegian forest cat or Peterbald? This is the place to see them.
Less exotically, there is also a section for domestic cats.
The final day of the show promises to be the most exciting with the award for the major prize, Supreme in Show, and an exhibit of the top 15 in show.
Typically, judges look at everything from coat texture to bone structure, head shape, eye shape, eye size, body shape and more.
Judith’s interest in cats started as a child, when her mother bought a Siamese kitten in 1957 and became involved in breeding and showing cats.
“We exhibited at the second show of the Cat Fancier’s Society of SA and went on to become breeders and imported cats from New Zealand and England,” she said.
Judith’s interest in felines expanded to her becoming an All Breeds International judge, which took her throughout Australia and to New Zealand and Europe to judge cats.
“Being involved with cats is a good hobby and I have met some lovely people through it,” she said.
One of them is lifelong friend Judith Adams, who bought her first cat from her in the 1970s.
Today, Judith Adams owns seven show cats as well as four house cats and will be showing one of them at the show.
“Cat showing is a great outlet for me and a great interest I inherited from my aunt,” she said.
The show runs August 31-September 9.
Details – theshow.com.au
