Inside the ‘crazy’ world of the Queensland Royal Show’s cat circuit

They’re prized pets worth thousands of dollars, exotic breeds with even more exotic names - and they’re the stars of the show at one of the Ekka’s most competitive events.

They’re the prized pets worth thousands of dollars bred to specifically win ribbons in a fierce competition that ends in the occasional catfight, welcome to the Ekka’s show cat competitions.

You get the 12kg Maine Coon breeds, the shorthaired Sphynx, Orientals and Tonkinese, breeds all vying for the chance to take home the Ekka’s grand champion title.

Unlike their domestic cousins, owners of cats are slaves to their pet, and in show circuit circles, it can be a “crazy” competitive world.

"Fire & Ice" is a Maine Coon who has won Best in Show Long-Haired Entire Cat in Ring 1. Picture: Tara Croser.

The cats are groomed before being judged, only picked up by sanitised hands and placed back in carry cages soon after.

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Judges compare cats to their breed standard and look for quirks, character and appearance.

Logan’s Tracey Lamb is a self-titled “crazy cat lady” who regularly brings her best breeds to compete at the Queensland Royal Show.

“I don’t like losing to an inferior cat,” Ms Lamb said.

Self-confessed “crazy cat lady” Tracey Lamb with Vancy, a Maine Coon. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“We all know each other. I actually sold five cats to some of my competitors, so I might have done myself a disservice.”

RNA honorary council steward Robbie Walker said cat showing was ultra-competitive at times, to the point it could turn spiteful.

“Hmmm, close,” Mr Walker said when asked if the shows are followed by catfights.

“There is a strong competitiveness, the majority of it is friendly and they do congratulate each other, the occasional little (incident) …”

Mr Walker said the competitors were all vying for the supreme champion cat of the show in front of international judges on Saturday.

Osiris Jack Be Nimble, four months, at the Ekka. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“They do form little friendships and this is a social thing for them but they are after those big cat titles,” he said.

“We get people coming from all varieties and they just love showing.”

Ms Lamb said she planned to show four cats at this year’s Ekka, an event where she had claimed dozens of ribbons over 20 years.

She said it was not for everyone.

“I have 15 at home, which is more like having 30 cats because they’re twice the size of a normal cat and eat twice as much,” Ms Lamb said.

“They destroy everything and they’re really good at knocking things off tables. They’re so big and clumsy.

Tonkinese Honey Bee at the Ekka on People’s Day. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“I am the alpha cat, which is the way it has to be, they have to know who the boss is.”

Ms Lamb, who has bred about 370 cats across two decades, said she wants to upgrade to a large home for herself and more cats.

“I don’t have a limit. I live on my own so I can do what they want,” she said.

“Once they’re retired I can keep them at home as pets.”

Fellow shower Fiona Coombs said the action could be fierce, but the Morayfield woman took solace despite defeat.

Pussyfoot Creme de la Creme Henry with his owner Fiona Coombs at the Ekka. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“I always go home with the best cat at the end of the day, but the ones who expect to win get disappointed, but it was never like that for me,” Ms Coombs said.

Ms Coombs brought her retired cat Henry as a display cat for the show this year to be part of the fun.

“I showed him for four and a half years. But he told me he’d had enough. He’d start to growl when I got him out of the cage,” she said.

British shorthair Kai. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Scottish Fold long hair Salvador Angels Gift. Photo Steve Pohlner

“He’d won quite a few trophies and later, he was tracked down to be part of the Heritage Bank promotions and was then in a small film.”

This year, as a first time breeder, Ms Lamb successfully showed chickens.

She said the annual show was her social event of the year.

“My family couldn’t give a stuff and this, dad tells me I should do something else, but everyone has things they like to do and I’m just a crazy cat and chicken lady.”