2025 Judges
Introducing our 2025 Judges
Kathy Calhoun - (CFA) - All Breeds Judge, USA
Kathy is Judging all Exhibits for Groups, 1, 2 and 3 and Companions and Burmese Specialty Ring
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Kathy is coming to us from Chicago, Illinois. Kathy embarked on her
journey in the CFA Judging Program in 2007. Since then, her expertise has taken this CFA All Breed Judge across the globe, judging in numerous countries including the United States, Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe, Latin America, Canada, Russia, New Zealand, Japan, South Africa and now returning to Australia.
Kathy’s primary breeds are Maine Coons and Russian Blues, though she has also bred American Shorthairs, American Wirehairs, and Tonkinese. She has also worked with other breeds such as Burmilla, Lykoi, Persian, Oriental, Abyssinian, Chartreux, and Devon Rex.
Her CFA cattery, 5800 Dreams, has produced two National Winning American Wirehairs: GC, BW, NW 5800 Dreams Macy Gray (5th Best Kitten, 2001-2002) and GP, NW 5800 Dreams Marley of Kemage (16th Best Cat in Premiership, 2003-2004). Her success with Maine Coons is notable too. In the 2009-2010 season, GC, BW, NW 5800 Dreams Sunny Halo 1983 was CFA’s Best of Breed Maine Coon and 3rd Best Cat, while in 2011-2012, GC, NW Trutails Aces High of 5800 Dreams was CFA’s 15th Best Cat. Kathy sits on CFA’s Board of Directors, having served multiple terms as Treasurer (2000-2010 and re- elected in 2016). She also served as Midwest Regional Director (2012-2016) and chairs key committees like Diversity & Inclusion, Audit, and Budget. Her commitment to the feline community extends to her role as Treasurer for both the CFA Foundation and the Maine Coon Breed Council. She also contributes as the secretary for various clubs in the United States. Most recently of course, Kathy helped champion our causes in her capacity as the International Division Chair.
With Kathy’s vast experience as a judge, breeder, and leader, she continues to significantly shape the world of cat breeding and showing.
Don’t miss the opportunity to meet Kathy when she judges All Exhibits in Ring One and the Burmese Specialty Ring at our show!
Robert Zenda - (CFA) - All Breeds Judge, USA
Robert is Judging all Exhibits for Groups, 1, 2 and 3 and Companions and "PURE" Siamese Awards
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Welcome to our second Judge in our distinguished lineup for our Armidale and New England Cat Club affiliated with Cats NSW, Country Goes to the City, Cat Show, Saturday 13th September 2025.
Robert will be Judging All Exhibits plus Siamese Cat Society of NSW Inc, "PURE Siamese" Awards.
VENUE: Hawkesbury Masonic Centre, 731 George Street, South Windsor NSW 2756
ROBERT ZENDA (CFA USA)
Robert is coming to us from Arizona.
ITsu-Kee-Ah-Kee Cattery (CFA # 3827); specialised in Silver Tabby American Shorthairs.
I organized the first CFA Club and show in Japan 1962-63. 1st pedigreed cat was a Seal Point Siamese purchased in 1959 in Tokyo, Japan and since then have bred and/or exhibited Abyssinians, American Shorthairs, British Shorthairs, Burmese, Colorpoint Shorthairs, Exotics, Persians, Siamese and Turkish Angoras.
I began judging for another organization (ACFA) in 1968 and became a CFA Judge in 1995. I served on the CFA Judging Program Committee (Education/Training) and as the CFA International
Division Liaison for Asia/Latin America 2006-2010. I served several terms as the CFA American Shorthair Breed Council Secretary and currently serve as Co-Chair, CFA International Division Committee,
Asia (except China).
In addition to shows in the Continental USA, I have enjoyed the privilege of judging in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, England, Finland,
France, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Netherlands, Philippines,
Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Korea, Sweden, Thailand and the Ukraine.
Photos of cats I have selected for Best in Show may be viewed on my CFA Photo Gallery website at www.bobzenda.org.
Carlos Lopez (TICA) - All Breeds Judge, Ring / School Instructor Distinguished Judge, Argentina
Carlos will be Judging All Exhibits for Groups 1, 2 and 3 and Companions and Bengal Specialty Ring
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I’m a TICA Approved All Breed Judge/Ring & School Instructor living in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I also teach Mathematics and Statistics at the Economic College, University of Buenos Aires, with 28 years of teaching experience, including roles as Head of Maths and Secondary School. I was a founding member of Tango Cat Lovers Club (1998) and TICAdelPLATA (2008), served as TICA South American Regional Director (2011-2013) and have been a member of the Abyssinian Breed Committee since 2015. In 2017, I developed the Judging Committee proposal, approved by the TICA Board in 2018. Elected to the Judging Committee in 2018, I have been serving as TICA Judging Administrator since 2021. I´m in the Cat Fancy for 30 years. The first pedigree cat I owned and showed was a black Persian male in 1993. In 1996, I began breeding British Shorthair cats under the prefix of "Pampa ". I've been breeding Abyssinians since 2003. Over the years I have bred/ exhibited many regional/ international winners. I have enjoyed showing different breeds including a Somali, Bengals and an Exotic SH. I am passionate about the Cat Fancy and TICA, enjoying breeding, showing, judging and putting on shows equally. Being a TICA judge is a big accomplishment. I entered the Judging Program in 1997 and became an International All Breed Judge in 2005. Since then, I’ve judged extensively worldwide for TICA and other associations, including several TICA Annual Shows. I’m so looking forward to coming back to Australia. See you all there!
Grant Leih (SACC) - All Breeds Judge from South Africa.
Grant is Judging Groups 1, 2 and 3 and Companions including Curly & Naked (Cornish Rex, Devon Rex, Selkirk Rex, LaPerm, Lyoki, Peterbald and Sphynx) Specialty Ring and ACF Award, Litters and free Junior Handler Classes.
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Breeding and showing fell into my lap by accident in 2003 but soon became my passion that continues to this day.
My draw always veered towards a specific breed’ s personality rather than its aesthetics. Though this changed dramatically after training to become an all-breeds judge. Along this journey I developed an affiliation for the different and unusual.
As such my main focus has always been the LaPerm but I have also bred American Curl, Selkirk Rex, Cornish Rex, Scottish Fold.
I was a founder member of one of the largest and most successful breed groups that have run some of the largest shows in South Africa for a number of years. Including having 32 Sphynx,14 LaPerms and over 20 Cornish Rex on one show; an achievement our committee is very proud of considering the small cat fancy in South Africa.
Shows are dedicated to the education and promotion of the Rex breeds as well as those who have mutations that affect the coat such as the Sphynx and Peterbald; but also with a strong drive for charity and the care & protection of all felines.
My journey towards becoming an all breeds judge began in 2006 and took 12½ years to complete. I have been in involved in mentoring many new people to the cat fancy, as well having a lot of involved in tutoring new, young and upcoming judges.
Best regards,
Grant
My draw always veered towards a specific breed’ s personality rather than its aesthetics. Though this changed dramatically after training to become an all-breeds judge. Along this journey I developed an affiliation for the different and unusual.
As such my main focus has always been the LaPerm but I have also bred American Curl, Selkirk Rex, Cornish Rex, Scottish Fold.
I was a founder member of one of the largest and most successful breed groups that have run some of the largest shows in South Africa for a number of years. Including having 32 Sphynx,14 LaPerms and over 20 Cornish Rex on one show; an achievement our committee is very proud of considering the small cat fancy in South Africa.
Shows are dedicated to the education and promotion of the Rex breeds as well as those who have mutations that affect the coat such as the Sphynx and Peterbald; but also with a strong drive for charity and the care & protection of all felines.
My journey towards becoming an all breeds judge began in 2006 and took 12½ years to complete. I have been in involved in mentoring many new people to the cat fancy, as well having a lot of involved in tutoring new, young and upcoming judges.
Best regards,
Grant