The Story of: GC, BW, RW SHIMASU’S EN-VOGUE OF HAUTE-MING began as a Cinderella story… But, first let me give you some background.

I had just finished my first show season with our first Siamese show cat, who became our first champion, who became our first grand champion and yes, became our first Regional Winner, in Region 5. Her name is GC, RW Teysha’s Princess Grace of Haute-Ming. It was a special thrill, as I’ve always had a Siamese cat in my life. By this time I was definitely addicted to the fun of CFA cat shows and even more deeply in love with the pleasure of showing Siamese.

That same season, in January 2008, I met Debbi Stevenson at the Food and Water Bowl show in Del Mar, CA. We soon became friends and she encouraged me while I was showing Grace and she was going “all the way” to the breed win with her GC, BW, NW New Moon Lexington of Shimasu. Debbi became a wonderful mentor and friend, even though she lives in Florida and I live in San Diego.

At the end of the 2008 season, I was waiting and hoping I’d be able to acquire a top show kitten from my new friends, Susan Perkins (Ayuthaya Siamese) and Virginia Wheeldon (Thaifong Siamese). That became a reality in late June of 2008 and GC, RW Ayuthaya Belle-Issima of Haute-Ming, aka “Bella”, was shown this season to Southwest Region's Twenth-third Best Allbreed Kitten and CFA's Fifth Best Siamese Kitten.

After Grace’s show season, and before Bella came to live with us, I was without a Siamese to show. Knowing I was very anxious to have a new little one to love and show, Debbi said: “I have a very pretty six month old chocolate point girl here. I’m not sure what I want to do with her…but if you want her she’s yours.” Without a photo or two moments to think, I bought a round trip ticket to Orlando and was on the plane the very next morning. Debbi had been campaigning Lexie and working a full time job, so she thought the kitten would make the transition to me quickly. That night over sushi we named her En-Vogue, a name I chose to accentuate her extreme style. I called her “Joi”, because, in great part, “Grace” and “Joi” are important characteristics to attain in life.

“Joi” was a little timid, having bonded with her mother and litter mates, and I would need to work to earn her trust. She was a very refined girl with a very long, hard, even, tubular body. Her matching points were a rich milk chocolate and her head was very long with a good chin. Her large ears emerged from the sides of her face creating a stunning wedge, and her eyes, slanting in perfect proportion, were a deep purple-blue. Her body was snow white and her coat was very tight and short. Not realizing how good she would be, Debbie said, ‘I think she’ll grand without too much difficulty.” Little did we know that she would blossom into a refined elegant show cat that would be found to reflect “The Standard” and earn the National title of Best Siamese in Championship. Before I left the next morning, as Debbie did the paperwork, I suggested we co-own her, so she would be ours to enjoy as I showed her. Kevin and I began to introduce her slowly to our home, and the minute she saw our RW “Grace”, she thought she was her mother. We decided to gain her confidence slowly, and wait till she felt secure before we took her to her first show.

When that day finally came she surprised us all by stretching out to examine everything in the show cage and seemed to enjoy the judges handling her. Soon we could see she loved to be shown, and she became a two show grand champion at barely 9 months of age.

Joie with Judge David Mare at the Santa Monica
show in August 2008

We bonded closely and she enjoys her life with me and our family. By this time we’d acquired Bella…so it was very fun to show Bella as a kitten and see if we could get a Regional win on “Joi” at the same time. We went to every show… and they both did very well. Soon, we could see “Joi’s” Regional and Siamese breed points growing consistently as she was placing very high in finals. It was December '08 when we realized Joi had a chance to finish in the top 3 Siamese, so a commitment was made to give her a chance to be shown most weekends. In January, she took off capturing 550 points at one show alone. Could this be really happening, I wondered? Could we really have a top winning show cat? Well, we decided if she could get the color win and stay in the top three we’d be happy. Before we knew it, on January 19th 2009, she moved into the #1 spot –but we knew a long campaign season was still in front of us.

“Joi” had blossomed into Cinderella, she just kept getting better the older she got. Her short tight coat had remained a soft clear cream, and her mask had fully developed into a display of chocolate that went all the way back to her ears. Her ear set is very low and when the judges looked back at her in the ring they saw her perfect wedge and very high clear contrast in coat/point color. By this time, Judges like Kim Everett-Hirsch delighted in bringing her out and her body would hang limp, waiting to be molded in the judge’s hands of trust. Kim would spin her high above her head and once flipped her onto her shoulder! Joi took it all in stride as if to say, I was created to be a winner! She never cared much for playing with toys, but she liked the pole and was a striking example of our Siamese Breed, both in standard and in her ring performance.

We were still very new to the world of CFA cat shows, and though I really had no track record, it was starting to seem possible for a “newbie” to win in CFA. I was willing to try for it, so, with careful review of all the upcoming shows, Debbi and I began to plan a strategy to win! We found that the judges in CFA hold tight to their convictions of integrity, and they have collectively indeed honored “Joi” as Best Siamese cat this year. We thank the many professional CFA Judges for their opinions, and for this Title. In many ways, we are the new exhibitor that CFA is trying to attract, and I can say I’ve grown personally, learned new life lessons, and have had a wonderful experience meeting fine Judges, exhibitors, and interesting people.

Joie with Judge Larry Adkison at the National Capital
show in September 2008

From January 19th to the end of the season “Joi” never lost the lead. She garnered a wonderful number of “Best Cats in Shows”, and finaled in most rings at numerous shows. GC, BW, RW Shimasu’s En-Vogue of Haute-Ming is:

• Best Siamese in Championship
• Best Chocolate Point Siamese Globally
• Best Siamese in Region 5
• 6th Best All Breed Cat in Region 5
• 37th Best All Breed Cat in the National Standings

The story of “Joi” could not be told without mentioning the treasured friendships of Susan Perkins of Ayuthaya Siamese and Virginia Wheeldon of Thaifong Siamese. Wonderful hours exchanging show reports, ideas and standards were mixed with catching up on the latest news as we all campaigned on two different coasts. (Phone companies must really love cat people.)

I am grateful for the support and friendship of the many fine Siamese breeders who this year have created the coveted “Jeannie Singer Award” for Best Siamese Cat in Championship, of which Shimasu’s En-Vogue of Haute-Ming will be it’s first recipient.

Thank you Debbi for the thrill, your generosity of heart, your friendship and all the special memories you’ve made possible for me. Together we’ve co-owned this wonderful girl and you are a dear friend. Congratulations again to you for your past season Best Siamese in Championship Breed win as an “exhibitor” with Lexie. This year, I’m proud to have been able to win the Best Siamese in Championship Breed win for you as the “breeder” of GC, BW, RW Shimasu’s En-Vogue of Haute-Ming.

Joi with Grace's kitten Icon