HOW TO ENTER A SHOW
Margaret Thorpe's guide -
When we started showing Cavies a few years ago, I remember how confusing entering for a show can be, so for the new members coming along to our shows, here’s a quick guide to what some of the terms mean when showing your cavy.
Firstly, you do not have to be member of the club at which you show your pigs. Anyone can enter for a cavy show, as long as your pig is fit, clean and over 12 weeks of age. The advantage of joining a club such as Birmingham Cavy club is that when you are a member, you are automatically entered for the yearly points competition, and also receive our newsletter with reminders about the next show. If you are not a member of a club, then the cards you win cannot be used to claim any awards or championships, and sometimes also means that you are not eligible to receive any Best in Show rosettes or trophies.
Most clubs nowadays offer block entry. This means that for the stated price, your pig is entered for all the classes for which it is eligible. Some clubs do have class entry, which means that, when you enter, you have to choose how far you want the pig to go in the challenges, or of course, you can state, when entering “to go through” and then the secretary will enter the pig for all the challenges. Many clubs now have a bring your own bedding arrangement, but it’s as well to check, as some clubs have also banned sawdust or shavings. This of course also means “take your bedding away after the show” and helps the hard worked show secretary to clean up afterwards!
A club selects, and pays expenses for the judges to judge the pigs on show days. Clubs often host shows for specialist breed clubs or area clubs; a ‘Stock Show’, and this means that when entering, you have the choice to enter some or all of your pigs in both shows. The judges for the Stock Show are selected and expenses and prize money is paid for by the visiting club. All entry fee money for the Stock Show is then paid to that club. If the visiting show is advertised as an Adult stock show, then you can still enter other age groups in the ‘supporting classes’. It just means that winning adult pigs may receive special awards or rosettes.
Rosette shows are similar, in that the specialist club selects and pays for the judge(s), and winning animals in that show receive rosettes.
Points shows are shows where the host club judge is a member of a particular specialist club, so any winning cavies of that breed gains points in the breed club Points competition. This does not cost any extra entry fees and you do not have to do anything; the secretary informs the breed club secretary of the winners.
Some general points now, please remember to consider your Cavy when at a show; make sure that the pig is fit and healthy, has no little visitors, and has something to nibble on during the show; it can be a long day for such a small animal. Also please consider the Secretary - if it states entries close on such and such a day, please don’t phone up 3 or 4 days later and say I forgot or I was busy. Most of us secretaries are generous, and will understand a one off slip up, but regular offenders are not popular. Also, if you enter a show and cannot make it, then I’m afraid that the entry money still needs to be paid; your promise to attend the show has generated paperwork and pen space, and allowances for prize cards and possibly catering, so the club has to collect the outstanding fees. Finally, enjoy your Cavies and the show days. Its an ideal opportunity to have a chat and meet like minded people who are also Cavy addicts!
When we started showing Cavies a few years ago, I remember how confusing entering for a show can be, so for the new members coming along to our shows, here’s a quick guide to what some of the terms mean when showing your cavy.
Firstly, you do not have to be member of the club at which you show your pigs. Anyone can enter for a cavy show, as long as your pig is fit, clean and over 12 weeks of age. The advantage of joining a club such as Birmingham Cavy club is that when you are a member, you are automatically entered for the yearly points competition, and also receive our newsletter with reminders about the next show. If you are not a member of a club, then the cards you win cannot be used to claim any awards or championships, and sometimes also means that you are not eligible to receive any Best in Show rosettes or trophies.
Most clubs nowadays offer block entry. This means that for the stated price, your pig is entered for all the classes for which it is eligible. Some clubs do have class entry, which means that, when you enter, you have to choose how far you want the pig to go in the challenges, or of course, you can state, when entering “to go through” and then the secretary will enter the pig for all the challenges. Many clubs now have a bring your own bedding arrangement, but it’s as well to check, as some clubs have also banned sawdust or shavings. This of course also means “take your bedding away after the show” and helps the hard worked show secretary to clean up afterwards!
A club selects, and pays expenses for the judges to judge the pigs on show days. Clubs often host shows for specialist breed clubs or area clubs; a ‘Stock Show’, and this means that when entering, you have the choice to enter some or all of your pigs in both shows. The judges for the Stock Show are selected and expenses and prize money is paid for by the visiting club. All entry fee money for the Stock Show is then paid to that club. If the visiting show is advertised as an Adult stock show, then you can still enter other age groups in the ‘supporting classes’. It just means that winning adult pigs may receive special awards or rosettes.
Rosette shows are similar, in that the specialist club selects and pays for the judge(s), and winning animals in that show receive rosettes.
Points shows are shows where the host club judge is a member of a particular specialist club, so any winning cavies of that breed gains points in the breed club Points competition. This does not cost any extra entry fees and you do not have to do anything; the secretary informs the breed club secretary of the winners.
Some general points now, please remember to consider your Cavy when at a show; make sure that the pig is fit and healthy, has no little visitors, and has something to nibble on during the show; it can be a long day for such a small animal. Also please consider the Secretary - if it states entries close on such and such a day, please don’t phone up 3 or 4 days later and say I forgot or I was busy. Most of us secretaries are generous, and will understand a one off slip up, but regular offenders are not popular. Also, if you enter a show and cannot make it, then I’m afraid that the entry money still needs to be paid; your promise to attend the show has generated paperwork and pen space, and allowances for prize cards and possibly catering, so the club has to collect the outstanding fees. Finally, enjoy your Cavies and the show days. Its an ideal opportunity to have a chat and meet like minded people who are also Cavy addicts!