"This year's 'Best-in-Show' represents the Himalayan breed extremely well,'" said Donald J. Williams, president of the CFA. "The Himalayan is a perfect blending of the physical characteristics of a Persian and the coloration of the Siamese. It's difficult to attain perfection because it blends two opposite cats--that's one of the reasons why it is "Best in Show."

Williams added, "the quality of the competition at this show--our fourth year in Houston--was one of the best in the show's 16-year history."

Often described as the Rolls Royce of cat shows because it features only top breed cats, the CFA International Cat Show is also the largest cat show event in the Western Hemisphere.

The "Best-in-Show" cat, a longhair kitten, was named from a field of the show's top six longhair and shorthair felines in three categories: Championship, Kittens and Premiership (neutered males/spayed females). Judges also selected the Best of Breed cats in each of the 40 pedigreed breeds in competition.

The show's other top five winning cats are:

	Best Shorthair Kitten Tinbats The Man Who Would be King Ruddy Abyssinian Male Photo: ©2003 Chanan
	Best Longhair Championship Grand Champion Argentovivo Mammolo of Kuorii Blue Exotic Male Photo: ©2003 Chanan
	Best Shorthair Championship Caricature's Colin Powell Bombay Male Photo: ©2003 Larry Johnson
	Best Longhair Premiership Grand Premier Mysinhs Zenyatta Mondatta Blue Point Birman Neuter Photo: ©2003 Chanan
	Best Shorthair Premiership Grand Premier Maricho's Akebono Black and White Japanese Bobtail Longhair Neuter Photo: ©2003 Chanan