MARIETTA, OHIO — A Bengal cat from Marietta has earned the title of the No. 1 ranked All Breed Cat in the world, thanks to its outstanding performance in international cat shows.
Owned by Peter and Angela Hasley of SlightlyWilde Bengals, the 1-year-old cat named RW SGC U Ride the Wind Des Griffes de Feu — or “U Ride” for short — has accumulated the highest number of points in the current show season, which runs from April through March.
U Ride is an eighth-generation brown (black) spotted tabby Bengal, a breed known for its wild, leopard-like appearance and energetic personality. Bengals are a cross between domestic cats and Asian leopard cats.
“Bengals have that wild look, and I’ve always been drawn to exotic-looking cats,” said Angela Hasley, who described the breed as active, playful, and dog-like. “They like water, climb trees, walk on leashes, and even learn tricks.”
Angela traveled to Paris to acquire U Ride from a breeder in March, marking her second Bengal import from France. U Ride has since become the foundation of the SlightlyWilde Bengals cattery, which currently houses five Bengals — three females and two males. He has already fathered two litters, with kittens sent to breeders in Oregon and Arizona. Breeders in Canada and the Czech Republic have also shown interest.
Bengals are considered a luxury breed, typically costing between $1,500 and $2,000. Show-quality champions can cost significantly more.
Angela and U Ride actively compete in cat shows across the U.S. and internationally. This weekend, they will travel to Texas for a show with 62 entries, sanctioned by The International Cat Association (TICA), the world’s largest genetic registry of pedigreed cats. The number of competing cats impacts the amount of points awarded.
Last season, U Ride was named the 14th Best Kitten in the Great Lakes Region and earned the prestigious title of Supreme Grand Champion in June.
With the current season nearing its end in March, U Ride holds the top spot in global rankings. “At this point, he has more points than any other cat in the world,” Angela said proudly.
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