Elaine Gleason from the Canadian Cat Association to Judge at NEMO Sturbridge Event in August
N.E.M.O. Welcomes Elaine Gleason
As NEMO regulars know, we try to bring in a guest judge from outside of CFA every year. Exhibitors appreciate the new faces and the fresh purrspective this provides. This year, we’re delighted to have Elaine Gleason from the Canadian Cat Association as our guest judge.
Elaine’s first introduction to the world of pedigreed cats was when she met Bob Gleason, who eventually became her husband. She says, “He was so enthusiastic about his chosen breed (the Burmese), that our ‘dates’ were often at cat shows. His passion for showing cats never decreased so eventually I married a man and his cat.”
Elaine and Bob registered their cattery name, Hullabaloo, with CCA and CFA back in 1981. Since both are CCA judges, they don’t have many free weekends but they do try to exhibit at CFA shows that are accessible to their home in London, Ontario, and are proud to have produced three CFA grand champions in addition to over 40 CCA grands and even more CCA regional and national winners. One of their champagne Burmese girls, Hullabaloo Elizaburm Arden, was CCA’s Best Kitten for 2015-16.
A CCA judge since 1985, Elaine is a founding member of two show-producing clubs and is also involved with the four National shows her husband organizes each year. In addition, she has served as the Chair of several CCA Committes, including the Board of Examiners (Judges Council), Clerking Committee, Standards Committee and Public Relations Committee.
Elaine is excited about being a part of this year’s NEMO show. She says, “A perk of being an Allbreed judge is the honour of being invited as a guest judge to officiate in another cat association’s show. Over the years I have had the pleasure of guest judging for several associations in France, Germany, South Africa, Russia, United States and Canada. Having the opportunity to travel and handle beautiful cats — and in some cases rare new breeds — is extremely interesting and fulfilling.
She considers herself blessed to be a part of the cat fancy . . . and to think it all started with a man and his cat!