n 2004 we attended a few shows before beginning to breed Somalis. Here are our successes for the year (in reverse order).

Preston & Blackpool Cat Club Show (15 May 2004)
Blackpool, Lancashire
Narya was awarded her third Challenge Certificate today, which now makes her a titled Champion. She also came away with a First and Best of Breed in her open class, and a Third in her "Any Colour Junior Female Semi Long Hair" side class.

Judge's Show Report from Our Cats!
The following is the Judge's official report on Narya in her open class for the Preston & Blackpool Cat Club Show.

"Usual Somali Adult: First/Best of Breed. Challenge Certificate. Ward & Forward's ASTROKINI NARYA (63). 14 months. Excellent young queen. Moderate broad wedge, profile with slight nose break, large pricked ears, well cupped & tufted. Large almond shaped eyes of green colour, very expressive, a shallow indentation forms the muzzle, good cheeks, firm chin. Elegant neck, firm lithe elegant body, long well furnished tail balances well with the body. Soft fine coat of medium length, a rich warm apricot base colour & underbelly, beautifully ticked with black, lovely facial markings, darker shading along the spine to the tip of tail & hock. Delightful queen with a smiling expression. Very well presented." (Mrs H. Dessauer)

Semi Long Hair Cat Association Show (17 April 2004)
Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire
Narya came away with a First and Best of Breed in her open class, and also won her second Challenge Certificate. She was also awarded Best in Show Adult Somali -- winning her the 2004 Pazman Trophy -- and nominated for overall Best in Show.

Judge's Show Report from Our Cats!
The following is the Judge's official report on Narya in her open class for the Semi Long Hair Cat Association Show.

"Usual Somali Adult Female: First/Best of Breed. Challenge Certificate. Ward & Forward's ASTROKINI NARYA (63). A young girl of 13 months & a touch lightweight at present. Head a moderate wedge with good width between the ears, a whisker indentation & rounded muzzle. Slight nose break in profile but a nose bump detracts. Level bite & firm chin. Large cupped ears with a broad base, set a touch high. Large almond-shaped eyes set wide apart & on a slant. A reasonably deep colour of yellowy-green. Good facial markings & colour to the chin. Body of medium build with slender limbs & tiny oval paws. Tapering tail that could be slightly longer for balance but broad at base. Well-prepared coat of medium length with a good fullness to the tail & slight ruff. Apricot base coat ticked with black, a few patches of pale grey at the roots but generally apricot. Grey necklet are the roots on the chest. Black heels to the hock, toe tufts & tip to the tail. A gentle girl with a sweet expression." (Mrs V. Anderson)

Somali Cat Club Show (20 March 2004)
Mappleborough Green, Warwickshire
Narya has her first Challenge Certificate! She was awarded a First and Best of Breed in her open class, and won Best Adult Female Usual Somali (for which she holds the 2004 Blackiron Venus Trophy) and Best Adult Usual Somali (for which she holds the 2004 Tiffany Trophy). In her side classes, she came Second in both the "Somali with the Best Breeches and Brush" competition and the members-only category, "Usual Somali Adult".

Judge's Show Report from Our Cats!
The following is the Judge's official report on Narya in her open class for the Somali Cat Club Show.

"Usual Somali Adult Female: First/Best of Breed. Challenge Certificate. Ward & Forward's ASTROKINI NARYA (63). Very stylish young lady of good type. Elegant and feminine, with full coat showing great richness of colour, superb ticking and & not a grey root in sight to mar her deep apricot base coat. Strong facial markings, lovely full black heels & full balanced tail. Very pretty head with gentle facial contours & a nice smile, well spaced large ears with furnishings & lovely rear crescent, good nose break with very slight bump below, level bite & strong chin. Feeling quite light with slim elegant limbs but at only a year old she has some growing to do. In excellent condition, a most promising girl." (Mrs A. Lyall)