05/14/2024
Now that the official results are out, I am absolutely thrilled to announce we have two National Winners this season, including Agility Cat of the Year and 22nd Best Cat in Championship in addition to three National Breed Winners and multiple Regional Winners.
GC, BW, RW, AGN Tadofa Jumping Beans of Fernweh ("JB") ran his heart out in the Agility ring for co-owner and handler Rhonda Burk Smith, earning his Agility Grand Master title and the Agility Cat of the Year title, becoming the first Somali to achieve a Cat of the Year award in any competitive category and the first Somali to attain a title of Grand Master. JB has always been laser- focused when it comes to Agility and converted this die-hard confirmation exhibitor to the fun that is found in the Agility ring, watching cats be cats and cheering for their runs. His Agility video by Melody Y OngBoyd has gone viral, making him something of an internet sensation and drawing spectators in to see "the super fast cat." JB is co owned with Colan Supe , Rhonda Smith, Lauren Underwood and Savannah Love. In addition to Agility Cat of the Year, he is also CFA's Best Somali in Championship, CFA's Best Somali Kitten, CFA's Best Ruddy Somali, GLR's Best Somali in Championship, GLR's Best Somali Kitten, GLR's Agility Cat of the Year, and GLR's 8th Best Cat in Championship.
GC, BW, NW, AGN Fernweh After the Storm ("Iris") added some initials to her already impressive resume this season, earning the titles of CFA's Best Devon Rex in Championship and a second National Win (her first being CFA's 9th Best Cat in Agility in 2021-22) as 22nd Best Cat in Championship for the 2023-24 season in addition to her Agility Grand Master title! Iris has been an absolute delight to show, never failing to to bring a smile to the face of judges, fellow exhibitors, and spectators with her signature stretches the moment her tiny feet hit the judging table, followed by a climb to the very top of the post on the judging table to survey "her" domain from above. Iris is co-owned with our dear friend, Rhonda Smith, and nursed Colan Supe through a knee replacement, also earning her the title of "Best Nurse, EVER." She might have learned her pole-climbing antics from the Somalis here while nursing Colan. Oops! Iris is also CFA's Best Devon Rex in Championship, Southern Region's Best Devon Rex in Championship, and Southern Region's 3rd Best Cat.
GC, AM Somalissa Mountain High of Fernweh not only granded in style and earned his Agility Grand Master title, "Rocky" is also CFA's 2nd Best Somali Nationally, Best Blue Somali, and the Southern Region's Best Somali. Rocky is co- owned with Rhonda Smith and will be a foundation in her Somali program. He has been a delight to show, always in a good mood and has a wonderful coat to work with.
Tadofa Beanie Baby of Los Nudies (Beep Beep) stole the heart of owner Savannah Love, who handled her expertly in the Agility ring to earn the GLR's 2nd Best Cat in Agility award. Savannah has the makings to become a first-rate handler and Agility Ring Master. At only 11 years old, her accomplishment is something to truly be proud of. Beep Beep is the first Somali AOV to title in CFA, earning her Agility Master title this season with very limited runs. Beeps is co-owned with Savannah Love, Lauren Underwood, and Rhonda Smith.
It truly, truly takes a village to accomplish all that we have this season. I can't thank Colan Supe enough for holding down the fort, foaling out mares, handling hospitalization cases, the airport runs, and his support and encouragement since late July when we first learned how fun Agility really is and set out to see what JB could do, accomplishing all of this without any intent to run a cat - let alone two - at the beginning of the season. None of this could have been accomplished of course without the introduction by Lauren and Savannah to Rhonda. Rhonda's love of Agility and expertise in handling for Agility lit the spark and fueled the flame. The three of you are family and I love each of you. Eric Smith, thank you for holding down the fort on Rhonda's end, so we could be out on the road with Iris and JB, and thank you for showing Rocky so well! Pete and Beth Deal, your encouragement and love of Agility is infectious, and your support and enthusiasm for JB have meant the world to me and introduced me to a new aspect of CFA which I admittedly previously thought was silly but have since learned is an absolute blast. There is nothing like watching cats being cats or a fantastic run to evoke a laugh or two and warm the heart. Sheri Shaffer and Leicy Bartlett, you saved the day on a few occasions when one or the other Somali had a ruff or britches emergency right before a ring. Darn Somalis and their love of playing in water, but you saved the day just in time! Debbie and Jerry Allgire, the "friendship" between JB and Sif in the judging rings has spilled over and I have loved getting to know you both this season. How small the world truly is! Who knew that someone from a tiny town in NW Ohio with an appreciation for classic cars and who knows my brother's boss also shows cats! Trish and Mike Blees, Melody Boyd, Beth Feiniger, Cyndee Hill, Sheryl and Taylor Flake, Meghan Evans, Andrea Cobb, Kevin O'Lone, Megan Wang, Carrie Feng, Angela Fox, Shayla Coppas, Elizabeth Nolte, Donna Andrews, Kathryn Brady, Cathy Dunham, and the many others, it has been a pleasure spending time with you and getting to know you (better) this season. Thank you all for your love and support and congratulations to everyone on your successes! It has been a phenomenal show season!
Sande Kay , you have done SO MUCH to help us celebrate JB, and I am so blessed to have met you all those years ago. You are a terrific friend, and I can't thank you enough for your help and support. I can't wait to unveil your creation!
THANK YOU to all of the judges, exhibitors, friends, and family who supported and encouraged us this season with some very special cats and lofty goals!
