Robby Whyte

an interview with TICA Judge Robby Whyte

By Jay Lehman

Jay: What made you decide to get your first cat and what kind was it?
Robby: I have always had a cat of some sort ever since I can remember. I was notorious for bringing home "orphan" kittens that just happened to follow me home! I could usually talk my parents into letting the new addition stay. My first cat was ""Puff"" who was a brown tabby and white domestic shorthair. He lived well into his teens and wherever I went…He went.

Jay: When did you get your first pedigreed (show quality) cat and what breed was it?
Robby: There was an elderly lady who bred and showed Persians in the neighborhood where I grew up. I befriended the woman, which was an unusual task because she was NOT fond of children. I would go to her house weekly and help her in her cattery. I spent a lot of time playing with the kittens. My parents would not let me have one of her Persians since she required that it lived indoors only. So, the very month I finished school, went to work, and moved out on my own, I drove to the old neighborhood to see if she was still alive and breeding Persians. She was and I bought my very first white Persian (Gizmo) from her. She remembered me and I kept in contact with her till she died about ten years ago. This was in 1986.

Jay: When did you become involved in breeding and why?
Robby: I started shortly after I entered the cat fancy. My first litter was a litter of Persian’s. I also bred several litters of Siamese and Orientals. I really didn’t care too much for the breeding part of the cat fancy. I would much rather be at a show showing a cat, clerking, and learning all I could about all of the breeds.

Jay: What breeds have you/do you breed, and why?
Robby: My main breed was Persians. I have bred Siamese and Oriental Shorthairs. I do not breed anymore, but enjoy judging and showing. I am now showing my first Cymric (Minusdetails Im2sexy4mytail) that I got from Kay Devilbiss. I have really enjoyed showing him and I just love the Cymric personality.

Jay: When did you become involved in TICA and why?
Robby: I became involved with TICA in 1986 and joined a local cat club (Mississippi Cat Fanciers). I chose TICA because of Mississippi Cat Fanciers being a TICA club and there were more TICA shows in my area than any other association. But the main reason I chose TICA was because all of my friends and other members of Mississippi Cat Fanciers showed TICA exclusively. Plus the people are friendlier and help out new exhibitors more in TICA.

Jay: What other associations were you ever involved with?
Robby: In the beginning, I showed a little in CFA. I switched to TICA because I liked the scoring and number of rings better than CFA’s.

Jay: When and why did you decide to become a judge?
Robby: I just received my Probationary Specialty license at the annual in 1997. I have always had a love and respect for all of the breeds. I enjoyed meeting new people, with breeds that I did not have myself, and talking to them about their breed. I use to agent different breeds for people so I could learn about their standard, look, and personality. I can’t think of a better way to learn about a breed you are not familiar with than to spend a weekend showing it and sharing a hotel room with it! I wanted to become a judge the very first time I stepped into a show hall. I was only a kid back then. I just took my time getting here!

Jay: What is your fondest memory of TICA?
Robby: Gosh…There are so many that it is hard to narrow it down to just one. So I won’t! The most recent fond memory was just last week when Jo Parris called me to tell me that I was voted the 1999 SE Judge of the Year. I was floored! It was such an honor to be the first recipient of this new award. I just hate that I wasn’t there to accept it. The call could not have come at a better time. I was already depressed that day because I had to miss our regional and cancel judging it because of back Surgery I had the week before. Another memory that was fond was the year I campaigned my first International winner. IW, SGC Hagger’s Call To The Colors, a cream tabby Exotic Shorthair that was out of TICA’s Kitten of the year, IW, SGC Hagger’s Pomp N’ Circumstance, a gorgeous cream Persian. He was so much fun and loved to be shown. This was the first year I traveled a lot out of region and I met so many new people that I am still really good friends with today. I also have many fond memories of traveling to shows with all of the members of Mississippi Cat Fanciers. There are more stories of the "adventures" we had traveling to the shows, than space provided for this question.

Jay: What advise would you give to Russian Blue exhibitors about showing this breed?
Robby: The Russian Blue has come a long way over the years as far as temperament is concerned. When I first entered the cat fancy the Russian Blues were not usually the "happiest campers" at the shows. But, as time went by, we started seeing very little temperament problems. I have been told that select breeding of sweet tempered lines has really helped "breed out" most temperament problems. The Russian Blue is one of our most ELEGANT breeds. The distinct double coat is one of its most outstanding characteristics. I get so excited judging a show when I see an elegant top show Russian in my ring. How could you possibly pass up those gorgeous green eyes!

Jay: Do you have anything else to add?
Robby: I would light to take this opportunity to thank you for asking me to do this survey. I really enjoyed taking the survey and am honored that you asked me to do it!