CFA's Best Exotic and Second Best Cat in Championship for the 2002-2003 show season is a black male, GC, BW, NW Marcus Mojo Jojo (named after a character in the "Power Puff Girls" cartoon). Mojo was bred by Mark Hannon, David Raynor & Pat Helmick and is owned by Mark & David who live in suburban Washington, DC.

While Exotics make national kitten wins almost every year and it's not unusual to see Exotics do well in Premiership, for some reason we do not often see an Exotic placing in CFA's Top 25 nationally. In fact, it's been five years since an Exotic made a national championship win and that cat, GC, BW, NW Larpa Curses of Marcus, just happens to be Mojo's mother! Type-wise, pick of litter was a black longhair female. Mojo was, type-wise, second pick kitten. Curses is known for her incredibly short body and dense coat. She passed these along to her son. Mojo's sire is a black Persian, GC Boberan Undaunted of Marcus, who contributed eye size and an incredibly shiny, black coat. Kim Everett once commented that Exotic kittens are often short, but rarely maintain that short body into adulthood. She felt Mojo was an exception in holding onto his cobby body. Every week judges, fellow exhibitors, and gate commented on how black his color was as well as on the wonderful shine. We were often asked how we were able to get such a sound black color and responded that if we knew, our black Persians would also carry that great color (and don't). The coat texture was also amazing, with a feel similar to a woman's mink coat. As with Persians, Exotic coats can vary in texture from a thick cottony to a luxurious silk. Mojo's coat was silky, quite thick, and always full of life.

As many of you know from first-hand experience, showing a whole male is not always easy. Two years ago we showed a male in hopes of achieving a national win but once he set his mind on girls, he lost condition and lost his chance at a national win. Mojo was shown for the last four months of the 2002 show season and achieved a regional kitten win … not an easy feat at a time of the year known for small kitten classes. Mojo was an Open the first weekend of the 2003 show season and made all six finals, including raves from Becky Orlando who is so well-respected for her own Exotic breeding program. With such a great start in the new season, one had to consider the possibility of running Mojo for a national win. Having already achieved a regional win on him, it did not make sense to us to show Mojo for a second regional win. It was decided to show him throughout the summer and if a national win appeared realistic, to continue showing him, ever mindful that he might not maintain condition if his thoughts turned to girls. By the end of the summer, Mojo was one of the leading cats and the decision was made to continue showing him. As the season progressed, Mojo maintained tip-top condition and continued to mature nicely and continued in his winning ways.

We are fortunate to live in an area of the country with many large count shows within driving distance. Mojo flew to only two shows all season, and one of those was the CFA International Cat Show which is not scored. He usually attended the shows each weekend with the largest count, which means he competed against the top cats in CFA. The record will show that he held his own against not only the best Exotics shown this season, but against the best cats of every breed shown this season. Many people encouraged us to try for Cat of the Year. To be honest, that was never a consideration. Trying for the very top win brings along a great deal of stress and we consider this to be a hobby in which we can enjoy ourselves and just have fun. I know from experience what goes along with a COTY campaign and it did not interest me. I wanted to spend my weekends having fun, not stressing out over possibly missing the top win. Donna & Bruce Isenberg had Second Best Cat nationally twice and really wanted the top win. We wished them well in their quest and had fun benching with them week after week and often dined with them on Saturday nights. We started the seasons as friends and ended the season even closer.

I've been breeding Exotics for many years. My first CFA national win was with an Exotic, 6th Best Cat in 1978, followed by national wins with Exotics in 1979, 1980 and more. My first national win with a Persian was in 1980, a cat purchased for my Exotic breeding program. While we are better known as Persian breeders today, Exotics are still a very much loved breed in our home.