The Challenge of Gracious Competition

It's often said that good manners and civility have become a thing of the past.

- Lucy Drury

It's often said that good manners and civility have become a thing of the past. At times, it seems like the whole world is shouting at each other over something, both the trivial and the deadly serious. Is this a phenomenon brought about by the stressors and isolation produced by COVID-19, or is there something more? The cat fancy has not been immune to it-if you are reading this article, you are very likely aware that there was a fair amount of "ugliness" at the end of the 2021-22 show season, so much so that the CFA Board appointed a special committee to investigate and make recommendations on the matter.

Complaints of rudeness, unfriendliness, unhelpfulness and unsportsmanlike conduct are nothing new, not for the cat fancy, and not for any competitive situation. Yes, competitive. Like it or not, cat shows are a competition. People don't come to lose even if they don't have expectations of winning-but we all dream, nevertheless.

To Compete or Not to Compete...

While a new exhibitor may not have high expectations going into their first show, at some point they are going to be coveting those fancy ribbons that other exhibitors are getting. At first, that 9th place ribbon their kitten got in a Specialty ring is a cause for all-out celebration. As the ribbons begin to accumulate, the goals become higher.