24 July 2010

NOTE TO EXHIBITORS

As mentioned on the Summary of Fees we have added a fun class for Retired Pedigreed cats of over 5 years of age who have been shown before. These classes will be judged by a qualified SACC judge to the exhibits individual breed standards in 1 Ring only and Merit, Grand Merit and Supreme Merit Certificates will be awarded. These are only fun awards and will not count as official SACC awards but an overall Best Retired Pedigree Cat will be announced. We look forward to seeing a fair number of your older cats, which enjoyed being shown, being brought back into the show arena to show themselves off.

NB!! Any cats entered in his category can be entered on the usual pedigree form with a bold notation after the name that it is entered as a Retired Pedigree Exhibit.

Thank you.

Show Management

PROFILE: LESLEY MORGAN BLYTHE (AUSTRALIA)

(Provided in 2001 but unfortunately not updated in time to go out with show entries)

Lesley’s introduction to the cat fancy was in 1964 with Chinchilla and Shaded Silver Persians as her first breed. Her mother acquired a Burmese in 1965 and so that became another interest. In 1968 her parents imported the first British Shorthair breeding pair into Australia and thus the well known ‘Redwytan’ British began.

Diversifying, she bred the first Lilac Tabbypoint Siamese on the Australian show bench in 1969. She pioneered Exotics in Australia from 1985 (‘Comyn’ prefix) over the years breeding a number of cats, neuters and kittens of the year. In complete contrast, in 1997 she became the owner of a neutered Abyssinian, which was the 1997 Foreign kitten of the year and in 1998, 1999 and 2000 Foreign neuter of the year as well as the National desexed Aby in 1998 and the first Aby to ever win ACF National Premier title.

Lesley qualified as a judge of all shorthairs in 1968 and as an All Breeds judge in 1971. Since then she has been fortunate enough to judge on numerous occasions in all states and territories of Australia as well as New Zealand. She has on various occasions judged in Malaysia, Singapore, United Kingdom, most European countries and in South Africa. (She has twice judged at Cat of the Year and also at the Siamese Breeders’ Group show in April 2001).

She has represented the Australian Cat Federation Inc at the World Cat Congress since 1995 when it was admitted as a member. For some years she has been involved in various administrative positions within the Tasmanian (and National) cat fancy and is the international Liaison Officer of the national body, the Australian Cat Federation, as well as editor of the ACF Judges Guild Journal and the ACF Yearbook. She is a member of the committee of the Cat Association of Tasmania and has been head judge tutor in Tasmania for many years. Her husband, John, was elected President of the Australian Cat Federation in 1999 so her absorption in cats is no longer an entirely solitary vice. Her son, James, has a wonderful affinity with animals, particularly cats, but says hat he is NOT going to become a third generation cat judge.

Lesley is an ex-teacher and ex-dancer (serious classical ballet).

One of the things that appeals to her most and which has perhaps kept her involved in the cat fancy for all these years through various highs and lows, is the number of friendships she has made with people all over the world whom she otherwise would not have met. She feels that her life has been enhanced by this interest, which knows no age barrier, so long as you are interested in learning.

We look forward to welcoming Lesley back to Cape Town.