WCC 2004 delegates. From left to right: Kay de Vilbiss - President TICA, Allen Raymond, ACF International Liaison Officer, Penny Bydlinski - WCC Secretary/Treasurer, Eric Reijers - WCC Vice President & President FIFe, John Blythe - WCC President, Don Willams - President CFA, Anneliese Hackmann - President WCF, Richard Nelson - President NZCF, and Paulo Ruschi - Vice-president of WCF.
Once again the WCC left Europe, this time crossing the Atlantic to Houston, Texas where TICA were the hosts. The well-planned full weekend started on Thursday, 11th March where a press party was held at the show hall which was a huge hall in a large shopping centre. Several exhibitors and some 50 cats were present and the delegates were able to see some Savannah and Chausie cats which were, for many of them, completely new.
Kay de Vilbiss and Don Williams looking at a Savannah at the seminar.
The Open Meeting was held at the Sofitel Hotel. This meeting incorporated a breed seminar and the delegates were given further opportunities to see the Savannahs and Chausie and also the proposed Toyger, although the latter was a power point presentation rather than live cats. The FIFe delegates presented the Burmilla and the so-called European Burmese and the CFA delegate presented the Sphynx, with th ACF delegate presenting the Australian Mist and the WCF delegate presenting the Peterbald. There was also a presentation on food research by Royal Canin.
A truly magnificent Bengal male.
Eric Reijers helping out as a steward/handler in Allan Raymond's ring with a winning Maine Coon.
There was a very good attendance at this meeting and many questions were put to the delegates, particularly regarding the position of the Scottish Fold which FIFe had excluded from shows, until such time as the health of the breed could be established.
The unquestionable star of the Houston weekend, a Savannah kitten which everybody adored!!
The show held on the 13/14th March was a 14-ring continuous event. There were about 500 cats entered, divided into the 49 breeds which TICA recognised and judged in all-breed rings. Two of the delegates—who were also all-breed judges—Anneliese Hackmann from WCF and Allen Raymond from ACF Inc., participated as guest judges. It was interesting to meet TICA exhibitors from all over the US and also from Europe. The show was busy with many interesting trade stands and a constant buzz of activity. One of the most popular attractions was the “International Cat Agility Trials” and Don Williams of CFA as well as Eric Reijers of FIFe tried their hand as “cat trainers.” There were “mini-seminars” taking place in one part of the hall with an interesting range of subjects from individual breeds to showing.
There was a gala dinner on the Saturday evening at the Sofitel, this was a very well-attended event and gave a good opportunity for people to get to know each other better.
The closed meeting took place, again in the Sofitel, on Monday the 15th. Eric Reijers was elected as Vice-President for a two year period and significant changes were made to the WCC Constitution.
The Minutes of the meeting are available for download.
