NFRS Romsey Show

Yesterday was Romsey Show, last time I went was 2 years ago when the show ground was pretty much a mud bath and I had a broken ankle (not that I knew it at that point in time). Any, this year I was determined to look round if only for a short while as I was also show secretary. After the 2 hour queue to get last time, I left exceedingly early, 6.45am and by 7.05 I was parked up outside the show tent. The nice thing about getting there before 8am is that you can drive onto the show ground, so no need to carry everything long distances.

This year, Jayne (show manager) and I decided against having exhibition / shoulder rats, so the public did have to make do with just seeing them in their show tanks, but that's the same for all the other fancies, in some respects we are different by often allowing the public to "stroke a rat". Though of course there's always the odd person who decides that sticking their fingers into a show tank is a good idea, and occasionally they are met with a rat that decides to teach them a lesson !


After a early morning rain shower, the weather brightened up and it turned out to be a lovely sunny day, if not a little bit hot and humid in the show tent, which did turn a few of the rats a little grumpy, especially those judged later in the day.

Entries weren't at all bad, on the day there were 51 entries in varieties and 24 in pet class, which for a southern show a week after a major cup show is great, though need more entries next year *hint hint*

The kittens from Bracken's litter were old enough to be entered into the show, they were 1 day too young for London Championships last week, so along with the adults I had a grand total of 14 rats in variety and pet classes. I am really pleased with the kittens results, out of 22 kittens, I had 1st, 2nd and 4th kitten, and 2 of which placed in the Supreme Challenge. The silver black kitten buck, who has still to go to his new home, got Best Opposite Age, and as I breed both him and his mother, it counts towards my stud name. Hakuna Matata Mr Vandemar got Reserve Best In Show and Best Stud Buck.

Firstly the kitten results

Siamese doe kitten
3rd Siamese Kitten
3rd Shaded Kitten

Russian Blue doe kitten
1st Russian Blue Kitten
1st Russian Kitten Challenge
2nd Russian Challenge
2nd Kitten Challenge
4th Supreme Challenge
2nd Novice

Black doe kitten
1st Black Kitten *
Best Black
1st Self Kitten Challenge
2nd Self Challenge
4th Kitten Challenge
4th Novice

Siamese buck kitten
1st Siamese Kitten *
1st Shaded Kitten
2nd Shaded Challenge

Silver black buck kitten who is going to be homed next week
1st Silver Kitten *
Best Silver
1st AOV Kitten
2nd AOV Challenge
1st Kitten Challenge
3rd Supreme Challenge
Best Opposite Age *
Best Novice

The adults

Halycon Yvaine
2nd Guide Standard

Caledonian Bracken
1st Siamese Adult *
Best Siamese
1st Shaded Adult
1st Shaded Challenge
3rd Adult Challenge
3rd Novice

Caledonian Dornie
3rd Siamese Adult
3rd Shaded Adult

Caledonian Orrin
2nd Siamese Adult
2nd Shaded Adult
4th Shaded Challenge

Caledonian Connor
1st Guide Standard *
Best Guide Standard
2nd Stud Buck

Hakuna Matata Mr Vandemar
1st Russian Blue Adult *
1st Russian Adult Challenge
1st Russian Challenge
2nd Adult Challenge
Reserve Best In Show *
Stud Buck *

Pet results

Caledonian Iona
2nd Adult Owned Pet Doe
4th Adult Owned Pet
Special Award - Stolen