Cat owner second time lucky as Parker the Persian wins top award

TEAM EFFORT: Lesley Parker and her award winning cat called Parker.

A Kapiti Coast cat won the supreme award at the annual National Cat Show.

The show, featuring about 200 cats in various categories, was held in the Bishopdale YMCA, Christchurch, and was hosted by the Canterbury All Breeds Cat Club.

Parker, a 2-year-old long-haired Persian, owned by Lesley Parker, won his long hair neuter/spay category, which featured 32 cats, and then went through to the final against other category winners before clinching the supreme award.

CUTE: Parker is this year's National Cat Show supreme award winner.

Lesley, from Otaihanga, was delighted.

"I'm very happy."

And she was surprised.

"There were some gorgeous cats down there and everyone comes to the nationals with their best cat.

"So you're doing pretty well if you can get the supreme award."

A lot of preparation went in beforehand including daily grooming to ensure there were no knots in the cat's hair, maintenance baths throughout the year and a final pamper bath to ensure he was looking his radiant best.

"It is a beauty contest," Lesley noted.

It is the second time one of Lesley's cats has won the supreme title.

Two years ago in Auckland Muffin, also a long-haired Persian, scooped the main award.

Lesley has always loved Persian cats.

"I took up showing them when I was younger, then had a break to do other things, before returning to the hobby about five years ago."