Junior Exhibitors
The concept of a Junior Exhibitor Program was first presented at the TICA Semi-Annual Meeting in Harlingen, Texas in February 2005. The program was well-received and entered into a four-year pilot phase. The Northeast Region including all of New England, New York, and parts of Canada, was at the forefront of the Junior Exhibitor Program and established one of the largest groups of young TICA exhibitors in all of the country. We are happy to report that the Junior Exhibitor Program was officially adopted by the organization in September 2009 and the Northeast Region continues to have a strong membership of young TICA exhibitors. Christian was one of the founding members of the TICA Junior Exhibitors at the young age of 9, and Emilie soon followed at age 7. Today, five years later, they are both veterans of the program and continue to assist new TICA youth in the show hall present their cats in Junior and regular rings, understand show rules and etiquette, and basically just HAVE A GOOD TIME!
Mom Sue was appointed the region's first Junior Exhibitor Liaison position back in 2005 and continues today under the leadership of the TICA Regional Director. She coordinates the Junior Rings with local clubs and maintains all the paperwork for the Juniors who participant in our regional JE group, called the Northeast Region Junior Exhibitors (NEJE). Sue also was instrumental in drafting the Junior Exhibitor Program bylaws (rules and standards) that were adopted by the TICA Board of Directors.
In the TICA Junior Exhibitor Program the cat is not judged. The Junior handler is judged on their ability to handle their cat, answer basic questions about feline husbandry and breed(s) according to age and level of achievement (Junior Novice, Intermediate, Advanced; Senior Novice, Intermediate, Advanced), present their cat including attitude of both in the ring, and grooming. Juniors present their cats in perfect show condition to demonstrate the best qualities of their cat to the judge. The purpose of the Junior Exhibitor Program is to educate and encourage youth to be responsible cat owners and practioners of feline competition, welfare, and husbandry.
Mom Sue was appointed the region's first Junior Exhibitor Liaison position back in 2005 and continues today under the leadership of the TICA Regional Director. She coordinates the Junior Rings with local clubs and maintains all the paperwork for the Juniors who participant in our regional JE group, called the Northeast Region Junior Exhibitors (NEJE). Sue also was instrumental in drafting the Junior Exhibitor Program bylaws (rules and standards) that were adopted by the TICA Board of Directors.
In the TICA Junior Exhibitor Program the cat is not judged. The Junior handler is judged on their ability to handle their cat, answer basic questions about feline husbandry and breed(s) according to age and level of achievement (Junior Novice, Intermediate, Advanced; Senior Novice, Intermediate, Advanced), present their cat including attitude of both in the ring, and grooming. Juniors present their cats in perfect show condition to demonstrate the best qualities of their cat to the judge. The purpose of the Junior Exhibitor Program is to educate and encourage youth to be responsible cat owners and practioners of feline competition, welfare, and husbandry.
JUNIOR EXHIBITORS IN ACTION
Christian currently at the JE Senior Intermediate Level is in the TICA Clerking Program - already Head Ring Clerk and shown here Master Clerking his first show at the Hartford, CT Pet Expo in October 2009
Emilie is at the JE Junior Advanced Level, seen here demonstrating the breed qualities of her Japanese Bobtail (in Halloween costume) for the Junior Ring Judge
For more information about the TICA Junior Exhibitor Program, please visit http://tica.org/public/juniors.php